Dr Paul Sant, Associate Dean of UCMK and compere for the awards said: “Milton Keynes is at the centre of innovation and creativity, and it was great to see such high quality entries.”

The awards, aimed at publicising innovation and creativity, were split into five categories.

The winners of the awards

• Wayne Cartmel – Most innovative and creative student project
• MK College - Best academic-led collaboration
• Cranenano - Best business-led collaboration
• SignTech paperless solutions - Best innovative use of technology for business
• Conms365 - Best innovative technology product or service

Andrew Carr, Chief Commercial Officer at the Digital Catapult, who presented the winners with their awards said: “Not only the winners, but all entrants, deserve to be commended on the quality of their submissions - now they need to innovate and get their product or service to the market quickly!”

The judging panel was made up of Dr Nick Lancaster, of the University of Bedfordshire; Professor Enrico Motta, of the Open University; Silvia Vitiello of Kingston Smith, Diane Monk and Davina Pancholi from Homebase and Cllr Peter Marland, leader of Milton Keynes Council.

Fredi Nonyelu, Chairman of Biztech a technology forum said: “It is great to see the BrightSparc awards back in MK after a six year absence.

“The MK Technology Exhibition (which hosted the awards) is an excellent platform to celebrate the innovation taking place or our doorstep - we hope these awards go from strength to strength.”

The BrightSparc awards were part of the MK Technology Exhibition.

ENDS

Photo Caption: Left to right Dr Paul Sant, Associate Dean UCMK; Michael Kio Cranfield University; and Andrew Carr, Chief Commercial Officer , Digital Catapult.