Bath and Bristol’s top tech pioneers and innovators will be recognised next week at the SPARKies, the awards that showcase the leading individuals, products and firms in the sector.
Launched in 2012, the annual awards have grown to become the most-respected accolades of their kind in the region, attracting hundreds of entries from across the West of England’s vibrant tech sector. 
The 17 categories at this year’s SPARKies celebrate the best start-ups, designs, hardware, people and more.
The awards ceremony alternates between Bath and Bristol to reflect the spread of the region’s tech cluster – and, after being staged in Bath’s Parade Gardens last summer, it returns to Bristol next Thursday, 11 July.
Tickets for the event at the Central Warehouse performing arts centre in Bristol include a meal from one of the venue’s street food vendors, a welcome drink and drinks tokens. The ceremony will be compered by comedian Emmanuel Sanubi, pictured below.
The awards are staged by TechSPARK, the information hub for all things tech in Bristol, Bath and the West of England.
The full SPARKies shortlist is:
Best Place to Work in Tech, sponsored by Interaction 
Startup of the Year, sponsored by Mercia Asset Management
Scaleup of the Year, sponsored by Rocketmakers
Most Innovative Use of Tech, sponsored by Script
The Hardware Award, sponsored by Central Warehouse
Data Data Data
The ‘Totally Killing It’ Award
The ‘Good’ Award
Service Robotics Ltd – GenieConnect
FutureSPARK
Artemis Fragkopoulos – SLANT Sustainable Technologies
Oliver Bonallack – Collective VC
Founder of the Year
Laura Gemmell – Taught by Humans
Nathan Baranowski– Digital Wonderlab
Community Award
Professor Kirsten Cater and Jo Gildersleve for MyWorld Skills and Training
Best Use of Immersive Tech
Best Mentor
Christine Carter – Atmo Technology
Laurence James – University of Bath
Paul Forster – SETsquared Bristol
Best Digital Design
Best Cyber Company
Awesome Human
Kirsten Cater and Jo Gildersleve – MyWorld
Tamsin Denbigh – Engine Shed / SETsquared Bristol
People’s Choice
