Hants firms win big at South Coast Tech Awards with Southampton praised as a growing tech hub

Businesses from across the region gathered at the Ageas Bowl Hilton last Thursday for this year’s South Coast Tech Awards, with winners recognised across 13 categories.

Richard Thompson, MD of The Business Magazine, took to the stage and addressed the 250 guests gathered to celebrate the wide array of tech talent gathered on the evening.

“A few years ago, tech was never a sector that you could say was synonymous with Southampton and the South Coast”, he said.

“But that has changed.”

Richard highlighted Southampton as a growing UK tech hub – recognition backed by a recent national survey placing the city 5th in a list of 23 technology hotspots in the country, ahead of even the likes of Cambridge.

“Southampton and the surrounding area have seen the emergence of home-grown digital companies”, he added.

“And down the coast in Bournemouth, the number of tech start-ups in the past few years has also put Dorset firmly on the hotspot map.”

Richard then handed over to comedian and BBC Radio 4 regular Lucy Porter, who was back by popular demand to host the event.

It was also a big night for the awards’ chosen charity, Wessex Cancer Support, as guests came together to raise a grand total of £3,000 towards their vital work in the local community.

The event was supported by headline sponsor Spectrum IT Recruitment (South), as well as category sponsors James Cowper Kreston, Gresham House Ventures, BGF, Blake Morgan LLP, BDB Pitmans, BDO LLP, AllPoints Fibre, Evelyn Partners, Infinigate Cloud and the University of Southampton Science Park.

Hampshire Biz News also stepped up to sponsor the Marine/Port Tech Company category.

• Read the full story on The Business Magazine.

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Cyber Security Company of the Year

Winner – Vizst Technology

Tech Start Up of the Year

Winner – Renovos Biologics

Innovative Tech Company of the Year

Winner – TouchNetix

Emerging Tech Company of the Year

Winner – Filament AI

Sustainable Tech Company of the Year

Winner – Kelda Showers

Tech Employer of the Year

Winner – Sumillion

Health Tech Company of the Year

Winner – Lifelight

Tech SME of the Year

Winner – Fresh Relevance

High Growth Tech Company of the Year

Winner – TEKEVER

Marine/Port Tech Company of the Year

Winner – Optima Electric Yachts

Science and Tech Company of the Year

Winner – Appello

Tech Leadership Team of the Year

Winner – Trusted Technology Partnership

Special Recognition – Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth

South Coast Tech Company of the Year

Winner – CV-Library