Some of the judges for the Prolific North Tech Awards have shared their top tips to help you craft a winning entry this year.
The final deadline for entries is 20 September for the Prolific North Tech Awards 2024, where we’ll be gearing up for another year to celebrate the incredible innovators, teams and organisations across the tech industries in the North and Scotland.
Whether it’s making your entry stand out to the judges by showcasing your competitive edge or demonstrating innovation, take a look at some of the judges advice as they share what they’ll be looking out for below.
Jonathan Moran, Director, Better Placed
“This will be my second year as a judge at the Prolific North Tech Awards. Seeing the detail and quality first hand last year gave me renewed confidence about what we can achieve in the region with the talent we have here.
“My top tip for anyone thinking of entering is to do it! Last year, we saw entries from one to two person start-ups at pre seed level such as GigMate right up to enterprise level SaaS businesses like Connex AI with a global presence. Having been part of the judging panel I can assure you every entry is judged on its own merit!
“Personally I’m looking for entries that use technology to solve real world problems with data to back it up.”
Rory Southworth, Investment ecosystem manager, FHundED
“I’m looking for real problem solving solutions that have a strong market fit. Stand out entries for me will be game-changing solutions that serve a real market need.
“I’d love to see businesses enter with long‑term growth potential that have grown from a strong Northern base.”
Anna Heyes, CEO, Active Profile
Top tips for entering:
“Be as concise as possible. Get straight to the point about who you are, what you do and what your offer is. For product-led entries, be clear as to what the tech is and how it can scale.
“Lastly, complete all of the sections in your entry so that you have the fairest chance of being judged effectively and thoroughly.”
What I’ll be looking for:
“I’ll be looking at how an entry addresses a market need and is scalable. I’m looking for businesses that are at the cutting edge of technology, different to what’s already out there and with plenty of ambition to grow.”
What makes an entry stand out:
“What makes an entry stand out to me is showing your competitive edge. Demonstrate your level of innovation and show me how that makes you different to your peers.
“I’d also like to see social impact – how is your work making an impact on the wider ecosystem around you.”
Take a look at all of the categories for 2024’s Tech Awards here and make sure you enter before the final deadline on 20 September. Good luck!
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