Meet the sponsors of the Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards 2018

Our awards are supported by leading companies

The Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards 2018 are a celebration of some of the finest businesses and individuals in our region.

So it is fitting that leading companies from a range of sectors are supporting our awards, which are open for entries until July 16 by filling in our simple form.

We welcome back our sponsors from the inaugural 2017 awards and are delighted to announce a number of new ones.

If you would like to find out more, or join the sponsors in 2019, contact paul.brackley@iliffemedia.co.uk for details.

Here are this year’s sponsors, without whom these awards could not be held:

Allia

Sponsoring Cleantech Company of the Year

Allia is at the forefront of impact innovation, supporting those that aim to make positive change and address the most pressing global and local challenges. For 20 years we’ve been working with impact entrepreneurs and ventures to support them to deliver positive impact for people, place and planet. Our Future Business Centre in Cambridge is home to an innovation hub for the Cleantech cluster in the region, and we’re closely involved with a number of businesses making real impact on the environment through innovative tech solutions and eco-initiatives.

Appleyard Lees

Sponsoring Biotech Company of the Year

Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm with over 45 patent and trade mark attorneys and specialist solicitors, providing clients worldwide with a full spectrum of advice and a fully integrated approach to all aspects of IP. With a global reach and local knowledge, we are experts in patents, trade marks, IP strategy, designs, copyright, contentious proceedings and disputes.

We support some of the world’s most innovative businesses and leading academic institutions, helping them to maximise the value of their intellectual property throughout its entire life cycle.

Appleyard Lees has a network of UK offices in Cambridge, Leeds, Halifax, Manchester and the Alderley BioHub, providing clients with expert strategic IP advice globally.

AstraZeneca / MedImmune

Sponsoring Researcher of the Year

AstraZeneca and its global biologics R&D arm MedImmune are pleased to sponsor the Researcher of the Year category in the 2018 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards. Excellent research is fundamental to the success of any scientific endeavour and is underpinned by talent, tenacity and innovation. Supporting this category reflects our own approach to recognising accomplishment, particularly where the researcher has overcome hurdles progressing research into new medicines for patients. The breadth of this category, which covers all areas of research and technological advancement in both commercial and academic settings, demonstrates the increasing inter-relationships between the scientific disciplines in Cambridge’s scientific cluster.

BioStrata

Sponsoring Life Sciences Company of the Year

Clare Russell PhD and Paul Avery PhD, managing directors of specialist life science marketing agency BioStrata, said: “Cambridge continues to be a vibrant and fast-growing hub that is known worldwide for innovation, entrepreneurialism and business growth in the life science sector. BioStrata is excited to support the 2018 Science and Technology Awards and we look forward to celebrating the Life Sciences Company of the Year. The winning company in this category will be pioneering in the sector, with its products or services helping to transform cutting-edge research or working directly to improve patient health, human wellbeing or the environment.”

Cambridge Precision

Sponsoring AI Company of the Year

Richard Hobbs, director, said: “Our work supports those companies that lead technical and scientific innovation, those extending the boundaries of engineering and demanding not just quality but perfection. We are very pleased to partner with the Cambridge Independent for its Science and Technology Awards and particularly to be associated with a category that so clearly celebrates creativity and forward-thinking. AI looks to the future, to better and more efficient ways of operation, manufacturing and production. Cambridge Precision understands, shares and encourages that quest for excellence.”

Chesterford Research Park

Sponsoring Medtech Company of the Year

Chesterford Research Park manager Katherine Maguire said: “Chesterford Research Park is delighted to be supporting the Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards.

“The park is home to life science companies that have made a real difference and today scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs work side by side on the development of life-changing drugs, technologies and devices within our sustainable environment.

“We are particularly proud to sponsor the Medtech Company of the Year category to showcase the ground-breaking work that is being pioneered within the Cambridge biotech cluster.”

COEL

Sponsoring Technology Company of the Year

Barnaby Clark, sales director at COEL, said: “COEL is delighted to be supporting the Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards. With over 30 years of trading in Cambridge, we feel privileged to have seen many of our clients grow from ambitious start-ups to respected multinational organisations.

“COEL provides a full turnkey solution to office and laboratory design and build. We have had the pleasure of working with many companies in the science and technology community, ensuring that their workspaces provide the environment they need to help them succeed. We look forward to congratulating those who are successful on the night and hearing about the exciting new developments being made across all of the sectors.”

Cofinitive

Sponsoring The Ones to Watch

Faye Holland, founder of Cofinitive, said: “The inaugural Science & Technology Awards in 2017 showcased some of the great and good of Cambridge and the East of England and we are excited to be able to bring forward a totally new category for 2018 – The Ones To Watch award. Our objective is to identify and showcase the people, businesses and products that will shape the future, and we can’t wait to be part of such a great initiative.”

Grant Thornton

Sponsoring CEO of the Year

Alison Seekings, partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “Grant Thornton UK LLP is delighted to, once again, be supporting the Cambridge Independent Science & Technology Awards. As leading advisors to dynamic, high-growth businesses, we are proud sponsors of the CEO of the Year category. We have the privilege of working with many innovative and entrepreneurial businesses based in and around Cambridge, supporting them in achieving their goals and maximising their potential. It is fantastic to recognise not only those businesses but also the inspirational individuals who lead those organisations with new and exciting ideas. We look forward to hearing more about their journey.”

Regus

Sponsoring Start-up of the Year

Area manager Alexandra Jepsen said: “Regus is proud to support the Science & Technology Awards 2018. Technology has transformed the way societies operate in just a few decades. From the way we work to how we spend our leisure time, tech has opened up exciting new possibilities for individuals and organisations alike. The businesses that have been nominated for these awards have all made their unique contributions to this revolution.

“At Regus, we support start-ups who are looking for workspaces to build and grow their proposition. We congratulate the start-ups in this category that are pushing forward innovation in Cambridge, and will be watching with great anticipation to see what they do next!”

SmithsonHill

Sponsoring Agritech Company of the Year

Emma Fletcher, MD of SmithsonHill, said: “There is an explosion of agritech at the moment. SmithsonHill are at the forefront of this growing agritech sector, and their proposals for ARC - a site for agritech companies in Cambridge - will ensure that Cambridge will have the dedicated space to be at the heart of the emerging agritech cluster.

“We are pleased to support this award, which celebrates the growing cluster based in Cambridge. The judges will be looking for innovative agritech solutions which bring cutting-edge technologies together with agriculture and farming. The new technologies proposed for the award can address any agricultural crop production challenge, but we are particularly interested in those which bring technologies from other sectors into agriculture.”

Woodfines Solicitors

Sponsoring Games Company of the Year

“Woodfines Solicitors, who provide a full range of legal services across Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Sandy, is delighted to again be sponsoring this year’s Science and Technology Awards. We are known for our forward-thinking approach and are committed to supporting start-ups and scale-ups across the region with effective legal advice from the day an idea is formulated, through to fruition and beyond.

“Our specialist commercial team, based on Clarendon Road in Cambridge, look forward to learning more about this year’s entries.”

Supporters

We are also grateful for the support of the following for our awards event on November 1:

• Zyme Communications

• The Good Plant Company

• Peter Cowley, The Invested Investor

Read more

Finalists in the Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards 2018 revealed

Enter the 2018 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards