Pictures and video: Winners crowned at Lincolnshire Digital and Tech Awards 2017

The third Lincolnshire Digital and Tech Awards 2017 celebrated the county’s most innovative and creative digital technology companies.

Some 250 business representatives attended the awards held at The Epic Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, as part of Lincolnshire Tech Week on Thursday, May 18, in anticipation of winning an accolade for their digital achievements.

BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Melvyn Prior presented the evening, revealing there had been over 100 entries across the 12 categories with around 40 local companies and individuals making the shortlist for the awards.

A judging panel, made up of business leaders and experts from across Greater Lincolnshire, met on Wednesday, April 26 to give their verdict on the record number of applications.

Neil Everett, CEO at Software Europe, winner of the Business of the Year category, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have won an award, it has been an amazing experience. The room was full of amazing businesses and it is fantastic to know we have been a part of that.

“We had a thoroughly good evening, it has been great to see other businesses winning some awards.”

Daniel Ionescu, founding director of Stonebow Media, the breakthrough digital publishers of The Lincolnite, Lincolnshire Reporter and Lincolnshire Business, said: “The digital businesses we’re celebrating throughout Lincolnshire Tech Week are putting the county on the map, and we congratulate every one of our awards finalists for the part they play in disrupting industry with groundbreaking technology.

“The awards were the biggest yet and truly reflected the excitement that’s rumbling over digital industry in Lincolnshire.

“We want to thank all our awards sponsors, as well as our Lincs Tech judging panel, whose dedication and support has been integral to the success of the biggest digital celebration in the county.”

The winners of the 2017 Lincolnshire Digital and Tech Awards are:

Contribution to Technology: Daniel Westlake, MD of Cursor

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Daniel Westlake was awarded with a special award as an ambassador for Digital and Tech Industries in Lincolnshire.

On receiving the award, which was secret until the night itself, Daniel said: “It was wholly unexpected! It was really nice to be recognised but I also think it is a big pat on the back for what is going on in Lincolnshire.

“I think what the awards are doing here is excellent and what it is doing is championing Lincolnshire businesses and in particular the tech businesses, which are really showing the way forward.”

Tech in Education: Riseholme College

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Lincoln Minster School

Runners-up: Tension Group

Online Retailer of the Year: Santa Sacks Co.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Lincolnshire Business

Runners-up: Gifts from Handpicked

Entrepreneur of the Year: Paul Cooper – Pocket Sergeant

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: The Lincolnite

Runners-up: Peter Watson – Chatty Imp

Global Ambitions: Inzpire Ltd.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Lincoln Half Marathon

Runners-up: Page Tiger

Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year: Chatty Imp for ‘Share the Love’

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Your Print Partner

Runners-up: Zazzle Media for ‘AO.com’

Small Business of the Year: Page Tiger

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: HSBC

Runners-up: Greens Water Systems

Rising Star: Greg Downey from Orderwise

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Lagat

Runners-up: Julie Keen from Pink Jacket Marketing

Best Use of Multi-Media: Visit Lincoln

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Peachy Events

Runners-up: Epix Media

Startup of the Year: Pocket Sergeant

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Business Lincolnshire

Runners-up: Tension Group

Innovation in Tech: Screen IT Media

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: University of Lincoln

Runners-up: Tenantia Ltd.

Product of the Year: Inzpire Ltd.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Cursor

Runners-up: Orderwise

Business of the Year: Software Europe

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sponsors: Streets Chartered Accountants

Runners-up: Orderwise