Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2024

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2024
2023
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Terms & conditions

The Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, in partnership with Rathbones, celebrate the passion and creativity of British entrepreneurs.

We invite businesses from all corners of the UK to showcase their remarkable achievements and contributions to our economy and society. 

With the support of a distinguished panel of judges, we will select and honour outstanding breakthrough and scale-up ventures in six regions. One of these regional winners will be named overall Economic Innovator of the Year and there will also be a special award for Excellence in Sustainability, and another for a smaller or newer venture picked as our One to Watch.

Whether you’re revolutionising bioscience, pioneering digital technologies, or redefining traditional consumer and industrial products, we want to hear your stories of innovation and impact.

Join us as we celebrate the transformative power of British entrepreneurship in The Spectator’s 2024 Economic Innovator of the Year Awards.

Entries for 2024 have closed. Finalists can be found here.

For any queries, please email innovator@spectator.co.uk

Our partner for the Awards for the third running is Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), which recently combined with Rathbones Group Plc to become the UK’s leading discretionary wealth manager. The combined business, with an extensive footprint among UK wealth managers, supports entrepreneurs in their business and personal lives with a shared belief that innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship must be celebrated and nurtured across the UK and Internationally.

The Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Award
in Partnership with Investec Winner

ComplyAdvantage

Excellence in Sustainability Winner

Graphene Innovations Manchester

Regional winners

London & South East

Breakthrough Winner

Nuclera

Scale-Up Winner

ComplyAdvantage

North East

Breakthrough Winner

Miniml Refills

Scale-Up Winner

EthOss Regeneration Ltd

West & North West

Breakthrough Winner

Aqua Metrology Systems Ltd

Scale-Up Winner

Net World Sports

Midlands

Breakthrough Winner

Coracle

Scale-Up Winner

Nourished

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Breakthrough Winner

MacRebur Limited

Scale-Up Winner

Sunamp Limited

South West

Breakthrough Winner

QLM Technology Limited

Scale-Up Winner

Huboo Technologies Ltd

To see more photos from Spectator events click here.

Terms & conditions for the Economic Innovator of the Year Awards

ENTRY

1. Entry for the 2024 Awards opens on Thursday 25th April 2024 and closes midnight Friday 21st June 2024. Any entries received after that time will not be considered.

2. The winners of the Economic Innovator of the Year Awards will be announced on Thursday 7 November 2024

3. You may only submit an entry for a company or business partnership of which you are a director, partner or senior executive, and not on behalf of anyone else. Entries must be submitted by one senior named representative of the entrant.

4. The person submitting the entry must be over 18 years of age.

5. For the avoidance of doubt, entrants for these Awards must be businesses whose products or services are already available to customers in their marketplace; entries cannot be considered from businesses whose products or services are still in development and not yet commercially available – and the judges’ decision on this point will be final. The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) will respect the confidentiality of all financial data provided but entrants must provide an accurate indication of the financial scale of their business, and in particular of actual and forecast revenue growth.

6. The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) cannot give an award to any entrant that cannot be contacted after the entry has been submitted.

7. The six regional categories are: London and the South East; Scotland and Northern Ireland; North East; West and North West; Midlands; South West. Awards will be given in two categories in all 6 regions: companies with annual revenue smaller than £3million; and companies with annual revenue exceeding £3million.

8. Entrants can only apply for one region. The entrants organisation must either have its registered address or its main place of business located within the region for which it has entered the Awards. In the event of doubt as to which region is most appropriate for any entrant, the decision of The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK)  will be final.

9. An additional Award will be given for a venture that’s outstanding in its approach to sustainability issues. An additional Award will be given for a venture deemed ‘one to watch’ by the judges. Entrants for both these categories will be taken from the regional categories mentioned above.

10. Employees of The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK)  and their family members, and anyone else connected with organising the Awards, may not enter any category.

11. All Award winners will be asked to take part in promotional activity and by submitting your entry you give your permission to The Spectator, Investec Wealth & Investment (UK)  and its partners to use the details of your entry to promote the Awards. This could include but is not limited to websites, press releases and print.

12. Entrants to the Awards are required to complete and submit either the online or pdf entry form.

13. A shortlist of finalists will be selected in each region from the entries submitted by the closing date. The short-listed entrants will then be required to participate in a meeting with the regional judges at which they will be invited to make a short presentation about their business (and/or a telephone interview). A podcast will then be recorded by the judges in each region and will be published on The Spectator’s website, discussing the finalists for that region.

14. Shortlisted finalists will be notified by email or phone within six weeks of the closing date and will be invited to take part in The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Awards on Thursday 7 November 2024, where the winners will be officially announced.

15. The judges’ decision is final and there will be no appeals.

16. The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK)  reserve the right to refuse to accept any entry which in its opinion does not comply with these terms and conditions or which contravenes the spirit of the Awards.

17. The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK)  further reserve the right to cancel the Awards itself if, in their opinion, the calibre or number of entries is insufficient.

18. We cannot offer feedback about specific shortlisting decisions or any comment on individual entries.

19. The overall winner will receive the prize only – consisting of a bespoke Award trophy and an advertising campaign for their company, across print and digital platforms in The Spectator, to the value of £20,000. Subject to availability. The print and digital advertising schedule, given to the overall winner only, is to the value of £20,000 as specified in The Spectator media pack https://www.spectator.co.uk/advertising. Whilst the winning entry may express a preference for dates and media type, The Spectator’s decision is final and overriding. The Spectator may dictate the date and type of media offered.

20. The winner of the Award for Excellence in Sustainability category will receive the prize only – consisting of a bespoke Award trophy and an advertising campaign for their company, across print and digital platforms in The Spectator, to the value of £10,000. Subject to availability. The print and digital advertising schedule, given to the overall sustainability winner only, is to the value of £10,000 as specified in The Spectator media pack https://www.spectator.co.uk/advertising. Whilst the winning entry may express a preference for dates and media type, The Spectator’s decision is final and overriding. The Spectator may dictate the date and type of media offered.

21. The twelve regional winners will each receive a bespoke Award trophy.

22. Prizes are not transferable, and no cash alternative will be offered.

23. The prizes will be awarded to the senior representatives of the winning finalists who take part in the Awards, where the winners will be officially announced.

24. The prizes as described are available on the date of the Awards, where the winners will be officially announced.

25. Events may occur that render the Awards competition itself or the awarding of the prizes impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), who accordingly may at their absolute discretion vary, amend, or waive these rules and the entrant agrees that no liability shall attach to The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) as a result thereof.

26. By entering the Awards competition participants confirm their agreement of these Terms and Conditions.

DATA PROTECTION

By entering the Awards competition participants confirm their agreement for the data submitted to be processed by The Spectator and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) and the judges for the purpose of assessing their application and as further set out in our Privacy Policy.

Participants also confirm their agreement to be contacted via telephone and email with regards to their application.

Economic Innovator of the Year 2024

Bespoke batteries, recyclable electronics and drone ports – Britain’s manufacturing and engineering Innovators of the Year

36 min listen

The Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, in partnership with Rathbones, celebrate the passion and creativity of British entrepreneurs. From hundreds of entries we have narrowed down to some 50 finalists across the United Kingdom. In this episode, the judges discuss the innovators within the Manufacturing and Engineering category – 3D printing hydraulic systems, making

AI studios, ethical advertising and software for defence – Britain’s business services Innovator of the Year

31 min listen

The Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, in partnership with Rathbones, celebrate the passion and creativity of British entrepreneurs. From hundreds of entries we have narrowed down to some 50 finalists across the United Kingdom. In this episode, the judges discuss the innovators within the Business Services and Logistics category – the companies that help

Wonky fruits, supplements for pets and smart walking sticks – Britain’s consumer Innovators of the Year

35 min listen

The Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, in partnership with Rathbones, celebrate the passion and creativity of British entrepreneurs. From hundreds of entries we have narrowed down to some 50 finalists across the United Kingdom. In this episode, the judges discuss the innovators within our consumer goods and services category, from suppliers of wonky fruits

Carbon capture, vertical farming and coding for girls – Britain’s environmental and social purpose Innovators of the Year

42 min listen

The Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, in partnership with Rathbones, celebrate the passion and creativity of British entrepreneurs. From hundreds of entries we have narrowed down to some 50 finalists across the United Kingdom. In this episode, the judges introduce those start-ups rethinking and finessing the battle against climate change, from vertical farming to

Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2024 – the judges

Guest judges Adrian de Ferranti Adrian de Ferranti is an engineer, venture capital investor, financier and farmer who has worked in Silicon Valley as well as in the UK. He was chairman of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 2007-10. Caroline Theobald CBE Caroline Theobald CBE is the founder of Bridge Club Ltd which has

Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2024 – the finalists

We’re very pleased to announce the finalists for The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2024, in partnership with Rathbones. South West & South Wales ANNA Money Domin Jones Food Company  Rubies in the Rubble  SLiNK-TECH Trust Systems Ltd Water Powered Technologies North West & North Wales Audiebant Espanaro Ltd Hakim Group Map of

Martin Vander Weyer

Perfect pitch: tips for Innovator success

Entries for The Spectator Economic Innovator Awards, in partnership with Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), come in all sizes and sectors. How do our judging panels choose between them? We’ve asked three of our most experienced judges to offer their top tips for regional finalists to make the very best of a 10-15 minute pitch.

Economic Innovator of the Year 2023

A booster shot of optimism

Stormy weather, stormy politics, a flatlining economy — but in a gala gathering of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists there’s always optimism. Our Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards dinner sponsored by Investec at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel on 9 November really was a booster shot against autumn blues: a glittering crowd, a buzz

Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2023 – the regional finalists

We’re very pleased to announce the finalists for The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2023, sponsored by Investec. Nourished NatureSpace Partnership Ltd Igloo Vision iEthico Coracle Equipmake Holdings Plc Sunamp Limited Good-Loop Locate a Locum Agricarbon MacRebur Limited Celtic Renewables Bike Club ComplyAdvantage The Cheeky Panda Exclaimer Beam THIS™ Synthesia Paragraf Yoti Smartify

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovator of the Year Awards: Business Services and AI

31 min listen

Every year, The Spectator travels the country in search of the best and boldest new companies that are disrupting their respective industries. In a series of five podcasts, we will tell you about the finalists for 2023’s Innovator of the Year Awards, sponsored by Investec. The awards winners will be announced in a prize ceremony in November.

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovator of the Year Awards: Sustainability and Social Purpose

32 min listen

Every year, The Spectator travels the country in search of the best and boldest new companies that are disrupting their respective industries. In a series of five podcasts, we will tell you about the finalists for 2023’s Innovator of the Year Awards, sponsored by Investec. The awards winners will be announced in a prize ceremony in November.

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovator of the Year Awards: Healthcare

28 min listen

Every year, The Spectator travels the country in search of the best and boldest new companies that are disrupting their respective industries. In a series of five podcasts, we will tell you about the finalists for 2023’s Innovator of the Year Awards, sponsored by Investec. The awards winners will be announced in a prize ceremony in November.

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovator of the Year Awards: Manufacturing and Engineering

38 min listen

Every year, The Spectator travels the country in search of the best and boldest new companies that are disrupting their respective industries. In a series of five podcasts, we will tell you about the finalists for 2023’s Innovator of the Year Awards, sponsored by Investec. The awards winners will be announced in a prize ceremony

Innovator of the Year Awards 2023 – entries close 16 June

The Spectator’s prestigious Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, in partnership with Investec, are now in their sixth year. These Awards, celebrating the shining talents of British entrepreneurship and widely recognised in business and investment communities throughout the UK, have attracted growing numbers of entries year by year. Potential winners are passionate about their innovative

Economic Innovator of the Year 2022

Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2022 – the winners

We’re very pleased to announce the winners for The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2022, sponsored by Investec. Economic Innovator of the Year Excellence in Sustainability Award West and North West Winner North East Winner South West Winner London and South East Winner Scotland and Northern Ireland Winner Midlands Winner You can see photos of

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovator of the Year Awards: London

23 min listen

For the final round of The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Awards, our kind sponsors, Investec, hosted us at their offices on Gresham Street, London. We met 11 finalists for lunch — out of a record total of 176 entries across the whole of the UK — to pitch their ventures to our distinguished

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovator of the Year Awards: Bristol and Birmingham

34 min listen

For this year’s Midlands and Southwest Innovator of the Year Awards, the judges met four finalists at each region respectively. These eight finalists were shortlisted down from a record 176 applications. In Birmingham, the finalists in this podcast were MoM incubators, Hybrid Air Vehicles and Bambino Mio. The judges, Martin Vander Weyer, business editor of

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovator of the Year Awards: Manchester

28 min listen

This year’s regional podcast series for The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Awards kicked off with a fascinating lunch at The Ivy Cafe in Manchester. We invited four finalists for the North West region — out of a record total of 176 across the whole of the UK — to pitch their ventures to

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovator of the Year Awards: Edinburgh

26 min listen

The second regional podcast for The Spectator’s Economic Innovator of the Year Award sponsored by Investec was set in the picturesque city of Edinburgh where the judges and finalists met for lunch at the Dome on George Street. We invited four finalists for the Scotland and Northern Ireland region — out of a record total

Martin Vander Weyer

Innovators brighten the future

We’re delighted to announce that The Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2022 are open for entries. It’s a pleasure to welcome our new sponsor: Investec, the internationally connected banking, wealth and investment group. With its extensive UK regional network, Investec is known for the support it offers entrepreneurs across its range of high-quality