Oxford Innovation

Winners celebrate Success at Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2009

Over 200 representatives from the business, technology, research and investment communities in Oxfordshire and beyond gathered at the Saïd Business School last night as the winners of the Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2009 were chosen.

These prestigious Awards celebrate innovative and technology-based companies in the region, and were established in honour of Sir Martin and Lady (Audrey) Wood, co-founders of Oxford Instruments plc. The Woods grew Oxford Instruments from a start-up in 1959, which was Oxford University’s first spin-out company, into a global instrumentation business that marked its 50th anniversary this summer.

The finalists made three minute presentations before the winners were announced, and guests also enjoyed the opportunity for some informal networking during refreshments.

The Winner of the Best Information Communication Technology Award was: PeopleVox, which make asset and stock control simple by deploying complete systems using barcoding and RFID – radio frequency identification. Manufacturers, retailers and multiple supply chains benefit from PeopleVox solutions, including: Ministry of Defence, InterContinental Brands, Motorola, Island Steel, Messier-Dowty and Ultra Electronics. Jonathan Bellwood, MD at PeopleVox, received the Award from Nick Cross, founder of Oxford Semiconductor.

Runner-Ups for the Best Information Communication Technology Award were: STL Communications, a leading provider of business telephone systems, lines, calls and mobiles; and Webmart, which provides quality print solutions at very competitive prices.

The Winner of the Best Green Technology Award was: Oxitec, which has developed a safe and sustainable approach to control mosquito borne diseases such as Dengue Fever and Malaria. The first target is Dengue Fever, a disease affecting over 50 million people worldwide per annum and for which there is neither medication nor vaccine. CEO, Hadyn Parry, received the Award from Malcolm Hay, Head of Finance and Operations at Science Oxford, co-organisers of the Awards.

Runners-Up for the Best Green Technology Award were: Helveta, the developer and owner of the CI World™ software platform – a unique technology providing fully auditable traceability and chain of custody control for extended supply chains in the timber and food production sectors; and Statix Industries, which has demonstrated and patented a novel method of heat generation, based on the chemical dehydration of a carbohydrate.

The Winner of the Best Medical Devices and Healthcare Technologies Award was: Accentus Medical, which provides orthopaedic and other implantable medical device companies with advanced surface coatings and modifications designed to enhance implant fixation and reduce the risk of post-operative infection. CEO, Philip Agg, received the Award from Afua Osei, Head of Programmes at the Saïd Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, sponsors of the Awards.

Runners-Up for the Best Medical Devices and Healthcare Technologies Award were: Oxitec, which has developed a safe and sustainable approach to control mosquito borne diseases such as Dengue Fever and Malaria; and Polymertronics, which is developing an ergonomic, light-weight, wearable light-emitting medical devices for a fast, cheap and easy treatment of the skin condition non-malignant melanoma (skin cancer).

The Winner of the Best Precision Engineering and Instrumentation Award was: Microbial Solutions, which offers a technology that enables on-site treatment and disposal of waste oily waters produced by the metal working industry. CSO, Dr Duane Ager, received the Award from Lynn Shepherd, Corporate Communications Manager of Oxford Instruments plc, sponsors of the Awards.

The Runner-Up for the Best Precision Engineering and Instrumentation Award was: Zircotec, whose coatings protect components against the effects of heat, wear, abrasion and oxidation.

Oxitec was selected from the winners of the four Award categories to receive the additional accolade of the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards Overall Winner 2009. CEO, Hadyn Parry, received the Overall Winner Award from Sir Martin and (Lady) Audrey Wood.

The Awards were organised by Oxford Innovation, which supports innovative companies and entrepreneurs through Innovation Centres and, Innovation Services and Investment Networks; with support from Science Oxford, which promotes science and enterprise.

Chris Green, Chief Executive of Oxford Innovation’s parent company, SQW Group, said: “We congratulate the Winners of the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2009, who were selected from a range of very high quality entries. We would also like to acknowledge the achievements of everyone who entered these Awards, which showcased a wealth of innovation and entrepreneurial talent in companies and individuals in Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley.”

Winners will benefit from a great package of prizes worth £5,000 per category, donated by support organisations that provide valuable services to early-stage businesses, which includes free office space for a year in one of Oxford Innovation’s Centres.

The Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2009 were sponsored by: Business Link, Oxford Instruments, TBAC and the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Saïd Business School; and supported by B4 Magazine, HR Advantage, Mathys & Squire, One Ltd, Riverbank IT Management and Virtually Sorted.

The Finalists of the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2009 with Sir Martin and (Lady) Audrey Wood.