Award Winners

The annual Bright Sparc Awards are designed to recognise companies and entrepreneurs, who have successfully used technology to enhance a business, achieve innovation or drive new business growth.

Compiling the shortlist of just three finalists per category from over 70 entrants, the judges were particularly impressed with the range, quality and diversity of applications, clearly emphasizing the high level of innovation and entrepreneurship found across the region in a variety of industry sectors.

With the final selection made, the prestigious Bright Sparc Awards 2010 took place at Cranfield University on 12 May with over 110 attendees including key industry dignitaries, all eagerly awaiting the announcement of the nine category winners.

Best Technology Innovation in a Business

To recognise a technology led business innovation or commercial innovation which has contributed to significant success.

Sponsored by The Open University

Winner	Andrew Sheldon MD of Evidence Talks
Runners Up	Tim Usher, Lightsout Computer Services David Simpson, Evolve Media

Innovation in Sustainable Technology

To recognise innovation in the use of technology to improve business sustainability, reduce carbon or to recognise a new business providing sustainable technology.

Sponsored by Silverstone Innovation Centre

Winner	Shelia Docker and H2GoGo
Runners Up	R2 Powertrain Beattie Passive Build Systems Ltd

Business Support

To recognise an individual or service company that has provided business support to technology led businesses, either public funded or private sector based. Open to anyone who has assisted in some way to the development of a technology led business, either as a mentor, coach, or in a professional capacity. Judges will be particularly looking for individuals who have made a significant contribution to help a business.

Sponsored by Cranfield University Business Incubation Centre (CUBIC) and St. Modwen

Winner	Anita Brook and Accounts Assist
Runners Up	Silvertec Total-IT

Education and Business Collaboration

To recognise significant contribution to new business growth through support or through collaboration between a University or College and a technology led Business.

Sponsored by The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Innovation and Growth Team (IGT)

Winner	Chris Wildsmith of Kinetic
Runners Up	Specialist Microwave Solutions Ltd Pearl-UK

Judges’ Special Merit Award

This award is presented to a company or individual who displays outstanding qualities but who may not fit into one of the designated award categories. This year they felt that Cranfield-based Caltec, which designs, develops and supplies equipment for improving production from oil and gas wells, had demonstrated extraordinary business and technology skills to not only grow and develop a unique product, but also to sell a major share of the company to a leading oil and gas supplier.

Winner

Najam Beg of Caltec

Overall Bright SPARC Award

The overall winner who, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies true technology led innovation. The winner will be chosen from the category winners however the judges may also award this prize to someone who exemplifies a special achievement in innovation or has excelled in technology innovation.

Winner	Tim Usher MD of Lightsout Computer Services
Runners Up	Evidence Talks Parallel Ltd. – a company of iDirect

Winner	Paul Sherring of Neonight Lighting Solutions
Runners Up	Espere Healthcare Ltd Empowering Confidence

Winner	Dan Hyman MD of Studioworx Ltd
Runners Up	Steven Oddy, SoTechnology Chris Wilkinson, Uppercut Productions