Finalists revealed for Leicestershire Innovation Awards 2024

The finalists have been revealed for Leicestershire Innovation Awards 2024.

Judges had a record number of entries to consider, as almost 100 nominations were received from local businesses, non-profits, researchers, education, and other organisations.

The Leicestershire Innovation Awards –  led for the first time this year by the LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub – recognises the brightest, most innovative businesses and projects in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Now in its sixth year, this year’s ceremony will be held at Sport Park Pavilion 4 on 20 March.

A pre-awards celebration will take place for finalists at Leicester Gallery, De Montfort University, on 6 March.

Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Chair of the LLEP Innovation Board, said “The brilliant response to our call for awards nominations is clear evidence of the growing focus Leicestershire businesses place on the importance of innovation as they start and build new firms, deliver new concepts, increase their productivity, and accelerate their business impact.

“The awards will once again serve to recognise, reward and celebrate this unrelenting focus on innovation within our business communities.

“This is a focus which is delivering for our businesses, but also for our economy and our communities, as our businesses grow, achieve, and prosper.”

Phoebe Dawson, LLEP Chief Executive, said: “The awards are one of the most exciting and dynamic celebrations of local innovators in the Midlands.

“Record nomination numbers demonstrate that the desire continues to grow to celebrate and share ideas that are increasing productivity and growth across our city and county.”

The Finalists

Innovation Catalyst

• HQ CAN CIC
• Percy Emmett (The Crucible)
• Tobias Gould (Community Enterprise Engine Ltd)

Innovation in Creative

• Camira Fabrics and De Montfort University
• De Montfort University and Leicestershire Police
• Moti Me

Innovation in Education & Community

• De Montfort University and East Midlands Chamber
• Loughborough College
• The Merton Primary School

Innovation in Food & Drink

• Table & Kin
• The Bug Factory

Innovation in Med-Tech & Life Sciences

• Bioxhale Ltd
• Loughborough University
• STAK Orthopaedics Ltd / STAK Knee Stretcher

Innovation in Space

• Messium Ltd
• Omnidea Ltd
• Rolls-Royce

Innovation in Sport, Wellbeing & Accessibility

• Moti Me
• New College Leicester
• Snowball Community Ltd

Innovation in STEM Industries

• Adey Steel Group
• Loughborough University
• Loughborough University and Rolls-Royce

Innovation in Sustainability

• Abacus Flooring Solutions Ltd
• Aftrak
• Loughborough University and Rolls-Royce

University Student Innovation

• Nestwork
• Snowball Community Ltd
• Tiaki

A further two categories – Innovator of the Year and the Outstanding Contribution Award – were decided by the judges and will be presented on 20 March. These categories were not open for nominations.

Sponsored by De Montfort University, University of Leicester, and Loughborough University, the awards celebrate positive change and the impact of ideas.

They form part of Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2024. More than 1,000 people attended 20+ events during this year’s festival, which this year focused on the theme ‘Small Change, Big Impact’.