Winners in 12 categories were named, along with highly commended finalists, in front of a capacity audience, featuring many of the brightest minds across a range of science and technology sectors. Many Cambridge Network members were among the award winners and finalists.
The event last week was hosted by Cambridge Independent editor Paul Brackley, who chaired the judging panel for the awards.
Introducing the awards, he said of the finalists: “In just about any other region of the country, any of them could have been a winner. But here, well, it’s quite a competition. So if you don’t win tonight, don’t be disheartened. You had to be great just to get in this room.”
The second annual awards were expanded this year, with new categories – including two for individuals.
An eight-page winners supplement, featuring the stories of the winners and photographs from the night, has been published in the Cambridge Independent edition of November 7-13.
Sponsoring the awards this year were Allia, Appleyard Lees, AstraZeneca/MedImmune, BioStrata, Cambridge Precision, Chesterford Research Park, COEL, Cofinitive, Grant Thornton, Regus, SmithsonHill and Woodfines Solicitors.
Paul said: “We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors, and the work of the judges, who made this event possible – and we’re already looking forward to next year’s awards.”
The drinks reception was sponsored by Zyme Communications and The Good Plant Company also supported the event.
Serial entrepreneur and angel investor Peter Cowley gave the opening speech, discussing the current investment environment, and gave signed copies of his new book, The Invested Investor, to the winners and highly commended finalists.
Paul added: “These awards were a true celebration of the remarkable talent, innovative spirit and achievements of an array of science and technology sectors in our region. We’ve been delighted with the feedback.”
One guest said the event “set the standard” for gender balanced awards, while another said they were a reminder of “how lucky we are” to live and work in such an environment.
■ Want to get involved in the 2019 awards? Contact paul.brackley@iliffemedia.co.uk.
■ View galleries from the night and read more about the winners on the Cambridge Independent website
THE 2018 WINNERS
Start-Up of the Year, sponsored by Regus
• Winner: Elpis Biomed
• Highly Commended: Evonetix and Fluidic Analytics
AI Company of the Year, sponsored by Cambridge Precision
• Winner: Featurespace
• Highly Commended: Cydar
Cleantech Company of the Year, sponsored by Allia
• Winner: The VaioPak Group
• Highly Commended: Azuri Technologies and Origami Energy
Researcher of the Year, sponsored by AstraZeneca/MedImmune
• Winner: Dr Charlotte Coles, reader in breast radiation oncology and honorary consultant in clinical oncology at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre
• Highly Commended: Dr Meritxell Huch, group leader at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute
Games Company of the Year, sponsored by Woodfines Solicitors
• Winner: Frontier Developments
• Highly Commended: Jagex and Ninja Theory
Agritech Company of the Year, sponsored by SmithsonHill
• Winner: Dogtooth Technologies
• Highly Commended: KisanHub
Medtech Company of the Year, sponsored by Chesterford Research Park
• Winner - Owlstone Medical
• Highly Commended - Cambridge Respiratory Innovations and Endomag
CEO of the Year, sponsored by Grant Thornton
• Winner - Martin Frost, CMR Surgical
• Highly Commended - Fiona Nielsen, Repositive
Biotech Company of the Year, sponsored by Appleyard Lees
• Joint winners - Crescendo Biologics and F-star
The One to Watch, sponsored by Cofinitive
• Winner - Kalium Diagnostics
Technology Company of the Year, sponsored by COEL
• Winner - GeoSpock
• Highly Commended - Simprints
Life Sciences Company of the Year, sponsored by BioStrata
• Winner - Microbiotica