Our celebration of talent is back as Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards 2024 are launched

The Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards 2024 have been officially launched and are open for entry.

Now in their seventh year, the awards are the premier celebration of talent across a host of science and technology sectors in the Cambridge region.

With categories ranging from Researcher of the Year, sponsored by AstraZeneca, to Life Science Company of the Year, sponsored by Zyme Communications, the awards will celebrate the huge breadth of talent in the region.

Entry is free via the online form here – and those shortlisted will get free tickets for the awards ceremony, which will take place in May and be attended by hundreds of leading lights from science and technology-related businesses and institutions.

This year, we are delighted to announce a new category.

Software Company of the Year is sponsored by Mantle Space, a leading supplier of serviced office space, including the Bradfield Centre. The category has been launched in recognition of the huge talent in software expertise in our region.

Karis Parker, from Mantle Space, said: “The Bradfield Centre is deeply rooted in the technology industry, we believe it is important to recognise and celebrate the achievements of those who are driving innovation and progress. It was therefore a natural step to work with the Cambridge Independent to create the new award category of Software Company of the Year and we look forward to celebrating all the finalists.”

We also have a Start-up of the Year category, supported once again by Kao Data, for companies in their early years of operation, while the cofinitive-sponsored One to Watch category will celebrate early-stage ventures for which we predict big things.

Editor Paul Brackley said: “The Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards have grown each year and become a key date in the business calendar for the region.

“We are pleased to open for entry and look forward to receiving your stories of success and progress in the last year.

“We are grateful for the fabulous support from our sponsors that enables us to host this ceremony and celebrate the incredible achievements in science and technology for which the Cambridge region is so renowned.”

Joining the sponsors this year is Railpen, which looks after the railways pensions schemes and is investing heavily in Cambridge. It is backing our Award for Innovation.

Matthew Howard, head of property at Railpen, said: “Railpen are delighted to support these awards, celebrating the brightest, forward-thinking organisations within science and technology. The Award for Innovation is a particularly exciting category, where we can put the spotlight on organisations who are truly pioneering and dedicated to the pursuit of progress.”

Appleyard Lees, the Cambridge-based intellectual property law specialist, has supported the awards since their launch and is returning to sponsor the AI Company of the Year category.

It will also offer its fantastic IP Prize – offering £1,500 worth of IP advice. This prize could go to any of the shortlisted finalists.

The awards will celebrate those making a positive impact, with categories including Cleantech Company of the Year, sponsored by Woodfines Solicitors, and the Tech for Good Award, supported by Allia Future Centre Cambridge.

There are two categories for individuals – in addition to the Researcher of the Year category, which could recognise pioneering researchers in either academic or commercial settings. There is also a CEO of the Year category to recognise a talented leader. Last year, it went to Dr Nicki Thompson, Amphista Therapeutics.

Organisations that are helping to support and foster interest and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) will be celebrated in our STEM Initiative of the Year award, sponsored again by Cambridge Science Park.

The Employer of the Year category is also back, rewarding a science and technology-based employer that goes the extra mile for its employees and the broader community.

Biotech Company of the Year, sponsored by Chesterford Research Park, and Medtech Company of the Year, supported by Sagentia Innovation, are always hotly-contested categories as, of course, is Life Science Company of the Year.

Lorna Cuddon, MD of Zyme Communications, which is supporting the latter for the second year, said: “We’re very proud to sponsor the Life Science Company of the Year Award again this year, having been involved with the Science and Technology Awards since they began in 2017. The awards evening is always a great event, celebrating some of the best companies from within Cambridge and further afield, and recognising their impact on science and technology globally.”

Last year’s awards were held at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Anglia Ruskin University, and the Faculty returns as sponsor once again of Technology Company of the Year.

One award is not open for public nomination, and that is the In Search of Wonder Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by JDJ Creative, which honours somebody for their extraordinary achievements in science or technology in the region.

It was won last year by entrepreneur and investor Peter Cowley and the previous year by cancer genetics pioneer, Prof Sir Mike Stratton, of the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

Mario Prelorenzo, MD of JDJ Creative, said: “As a design agency dedicated to supporting businesses in promoting their sustainability initiatives, we’re delighted to once again sponsor the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating an individual who matches our company ethos of always being in search of wonder.”

Entry is open now to companies with a base in our circulation area and will be judged by a panel of experts from a range of fields and backgrounds in the new year. You can find out full details of all the categories and the rules along with the entry form here.

And you could find out more about all of our sponsors here.

The winners of the 2024 awards will be revealed at a ceremony in May.

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities associated with the awards, or for questions regarding entry, email paul.brackley@iliffemedia.co.uk.