Celebrating success: SME innovation awards 2016
This collection introduces the winners and shortlisted companies in Innovate UK's 2016 SME innovation awards and highlights their stories.
Successful innovation by 18 British companies has been recognised in Innovate UK’s second SME innovation awards.
The awards aim to recognise examples of innovation excellence among the projects funded by Innovate UK. The awards celebrate projects and companies that demonstrate the impact of innovation on business growth and driving the economy, and can inspire others.
They were presented in Parliament by Jo Johnson, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation and hosted by Damian Collins MP for Folkestone and Hythe.
There are 4 categories:
- innovation leading to business transformation
- innovation leading to new markets
- innovation leading to productivity improvement
- innovation attracting investment
See below for the stories of all the shortlisted companies.
Innovation leading to business transformation
- Amfax: laser technology improves quality control
- Delta Motorsport: low carbon technologies help business to grow
- Gaist: firm quadruples staff thanks to roads management system
- PAB Coventry: new metal techniques bring big rise in turnover
- Red Ninja: business transformed after taking part in challenge
- Transvac: game-changing technology opens $2 billion global market
Innovation leading to new markets
Innovation leading to productivity improvement
Innovation attracting investment
- Dearman: clean and cold power firm attracts more than £16 million
- Impression Technologies: firm attracts £6 million for new plant
- Improbable: digital firm raises $20 million from US backers
- PragmatiC: business wins major investment for flexible circuits
- Phasefocus: revolutionary lens attracts £9.6 million investment