Last call for tech award entries

A last call has gone out for entries into the region’s IT and technology awards.

Dynamites 19 Awards, sponsored by Gateshead College, will culminate in a glittering gala dinner on Thursday, October 17 at Newcastle’s Civic Centre banqueting hall – but potential winners only have until Monday, September 9, to get their entries in.

The Dynamites Awards are now in their sixth year and are organised by Eorth east IT network Dynamo. They shine a spotlight on successful regional tech companies and recognise the talent within the north-east tech sector.

Last year’s awards attracted more than 80 entries and almost 500 guests attended the gala dinner. The 2018 winners included Metrology, Atlas Cloud, Nebula Labs, Nomad Digital, Learning Labs and Datatrial.

The Dynamites 19 Award categories are:

• Innovator of the Year (sponsored by Connect Health)
• Diversity & Inclusion (sponsored by Institute of Coding at Newcastle University)
• Skills Developer
• Digital Cluster Champion (sponsored by BT)
• Growth Explosion
• Project of the Year – Corporate / Not for Profit & Public Sector (sponsored by Scott Logic)
• International Success Story (sponsored by Procter & Gamble)
• Rising Star (sponsored by University of Sunderland)
• Tech for Good (sponsored by Sage)
• Outstanding Achievement

Individuals and companies can enter themselves, nominate a client, partner, employee or supplier. Last year competition was fierce, so the more detail in terms of facts and figures, proof of impact or returns the better.

This year’s judging panel includes: Anne MacDonald, Dynamo North East; Pete Watson, Atlas Cloud; Nicola Japp, Accenture; Deni Chambers, Gateshead College; Fay Cooper, DWP; Siobhan Fenton, Teesside University; Charlie MacDowall , Northumbria University; Sue Ormerod, Nigel Wright; Alison Cowie, North East Times; Reece Donovan, Nomad Digital.

Dynamo chair Charlie Hoult said: “The Dynamites are a major event in the region’s tech calendar and I urge businesses to get their entries in now. I’d also advise people to get tickets for the big night as they’re selling very quickly.

“The night is a terrific opportunity to celebrate the exceptional talent and depth of the regional IT/digital sector and an ideal platform for our amazing tech companies to show how good they are.”

Winner of last year’s Tech for Good category was Learning Labs. The company’s General Manager Andy Gough described what the win meant for his company: “Receiving recognition for Learning Labs assistive technology e-learning portal was a motivating and inspiring moment for our team, who continue to pour their passion and dedication into creating a product that truly helps disabled students achieve their goals in higher education.

“Also, as an SME technology business and local employer this has helped create brand awareness of our company, throughout the North East and beyond.”