UK's leading clean tech firms invited to put themselves forward to compete for the country's most prestigious green technology awards
BusinessGreen is today officially launching the second annual BusinessGreen Technology Awards, and is calling on the UK's most inspiring and innovative clean tech businesses, R&D programmes, entrepreneurs and investors to put themselves forward for the coveted title.
Hosted in association with lead sponsor Innovate UK, the awards will take place on the afternoon of Friday December 2nd at a glamorous secret London location and businesses have until 5:30pm on Friday September 30th to submit their entry.
The shortlist of successful entries will then be announced the week of October 10th before being considered by our panel of independent, expert judges.
Now in their second year, the BusinessGreen Technology Awards will bring together around 250 leading executives and technologists from some of the UK's most exciting clean tech companies.
From clean energy to ultra-low emission transport and biotechnology to material science, the awards will celebrate those start-ups and established technology and engineering giants who are turning the dream of a sustainable green economy into a reality.
"It has been a hugely eventful 12 months for the clean tech sector with progress at the policy level, in the form of the Paris Agreement, matched by progress at the technology and investment level, as clean tech costs have continued to fall and investors have stepped up support for the industry," observed BusinessGreen Editor-in-Chief James Murray. "The BusinessGreen Technology Awards will celebrate that progress, providing a platform for some of the UK's most exciting, innovative, and entrepreneurial clean tech organisations to raise their profile and enjoy the recognition they deserve."
The 2016 awards include many of last year's most popular awards, such as R&D Programme of the Year, Building Technology of the Year, Solar Technology of the Year, Clean and Cool Award for International Impact, Circular Economy Innovation of the Year, and Breakthrough of the Year, as well as the coveted Innovator of the Year and Technology of the Year.
In addition, BusinessGreen is introducing a number of new awards, including Green Data Centre Technology of the Year, Supply Chain/Logistics Technology of the Year, Clean Tech Marketing Campaign of the Year, Clean Tech Investor of the Year, Clean Tech Start-Up of the Year, and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
"The sector has never been more vibrant, nor more varied, and we want to give as many businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, and investors as possible the opportunity to highlight the inspiring and potentially game-changing technologies they are working on," said Murray.
Dr Mike Pitts, head of urban living and built environment at Innovate UK, said it was important to celebrate the success of clean tech companies. "Innovate UK is delighted to support the celebration of the best of UK clean tech innovation," he said. "These companies tackle major environmental and social challenges and Innovate UK are supporting the development of these future industries through business-led innovation."
His comments were echoed by Guy Pattison, co-founder of Clean + Cool, the clean tech trade mission and community, which is a partner of the awards. "Being an entrepreneur and innovator can be a long hard lonely slog, especially at the earliest stages," he said. "The recognition that these awards offer is an important way that the industry can show its support, appreciation and admiration for the UK's heroic clean tech pioneers and their brilliant innovations. They deserve celebrating on the centre stage."
The BusinessGreen Technology Awards are free to enter to any organisation with some form of UK presence, but under the terms and conditions all shortlisted finalists are required to purchase a minimum of two tickets to attend the awards lunch and ceremony. Attendees will receive a three course lunch, exclusive networking opportunities, and a digital certificate and logo to highlight their position as a BusinessGreen Technology Awards finalist.
In addition, all of the winners on the day will receive a BusinessGreen Technology Award and will be profiled on BusinessGreen.
The full list of categories for this year's awards is:
- App of the Year
- Consumer Gadget of the Year
- Green Data Centre Technology of the Year - New for 2016
- R&D Programme of the Year
- Building Technology of the Year
- Transport Technology of the Year
- Supply Chain/Logistics Technology of the Year - New for 2016
- Solar Technology of the Year
- Wind Energy Technology of the Year
- Marine Energy Technology of the Year
- Bio-technology of the Year
- Smart Grid Technology of the Year
- Clean and Cool Award for International Impact
- Future City Technology of the Year
- Circular Economy Innovation of the Year
- Breakthrough of the Year
- Clean Tech Marketing Campaign of the Year - New for 2016
- Clean Tech Investor of the Year - New for 2016
- Clean Tech Start-up of the Year - New for 2016
- Innovator of the Year
- Technology of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award - New for 2016
This year's awards are also timed to coincide with the inaugural BusinessGreen Technology Investment Forum, which on Thursday December 1st will bring together leading clean tech firms and investors to showcase emerging clean technologies and discuss investment opportunities. More details on how to register for the forum will be announced next week.
