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Over 100 representatives from the business, technology, research and investment communities in Oxfordshire and beyond gathered at the Said Business School last night as the winners of the Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007 were chosen. This was the second year for the Awards, which focus on innovative and technology-based companies and promising entrepreneurs, and were established in honour of Sir Martin and Lady (Audrey) Wood, co-founders of Oxford Instruments plc.

Winners celebrate Success at Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards

Oxfordshire, UK | Posted on May 6th, 2007

Over 100 representatives from the business, technology, research and investment communities in Oxfordshire and beyond gathered at the Said Business School last night as the winners of the Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007 were chosen. This was the second year for the Awards, which focus on innovative and technology-based companies and promising entrepreneurs, and were established in honour of Sir Martin and Lady ( Audrey ) Wood, co-founders of Oxford Instruments plc.

The finalists made three minute presentations before the winners were announced.

The Winner of the Best Innovation Award was: Vision XS, a company based at Culham Innovation Centre that provides consultancy services to organisers of visitor attractions, exhibitions and major sporting events. Clients include the organisers of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. MD, Tony Sefton, received the Award from Dr John Lee, Director of Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub, sponsors of the Best Innovation category.

Runner-Up for the Best Innovation Award was: Smart Solar Ltd, which develops products powered by renewable energy for the home and garden that are sold into markets including Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia.

The Winner of the Best New Technology Company Award was: Polymertronics Ltd, a 2006 Oxfordshire start-up company, researching a new type of ultra-violet curable ( UV ) organic semiconductor. The company aims to develop technology to produce flexible posters with ‘pre-printed' moving light features for use in interactive advertising displays. MD, Stephen Clemmet, received the Award from Poul Christensen, Board member of SEEDA, sponsors of the Award.

Runners-Up for the Best New Technology Company Award were: Futuretec Ltd, a design house that develops new ideas in science and technology. Its products include Regenatec, a conversion technology that enables vehicles to be retro-fitted with systems that can handle biofuels, and SmartCellar, a system that monitors the quality of drinks at dispensing points in pubs and bars. Encanvas Ltd develops software products that enable the extraction of data from various sources across large businesses.

The Winner of the Best Environmental Innovation Award was: Sachet Systems Ltd, a packaging and marketing company that specialises in creating innovative packaging. Its initial focus is on packaging for branded spirits using lightweight recyclable plastic that can enable aircraft to significantly reduce weight on items such as miniature drinks bottles. CEO, Martin Short, received the Award from Dr Edward Green, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Green Biologics, a previous winner of the Up and Coming Entrepreneur Award.

Runners-Up for the Best Environmental Innovation Award were: Kingerlee Homes, which constructs new homes using sustainable methods, and WheelRight Ltd, which is developing a tyre pressure measurement technology.

The Winner of the Best Healthcare Innovation Award was: Oxford Immunotec Ltd, developing novel products based on its patented T-SPOT technology that is designed to diagnose and monitor infection and disease, with a focus on tuberculosis. CEO, Dr Peter Wrighton-Smith, received the Award from Jerome Declerck, Senior Manager for Science at Siemens Molecular Imaging, sponsor of the Award.

Runners-Up for the Best Healthcare Innovation Award were: Oxonica Healthcare, a leading international nanomaterials group developing diagnostics testing products, and Oxford Cardiac Pharmacology LDT, specialists in developing the rapid tests that are required by drug regulatory authorities to assess the cardiac risk of new drugs.

The Winner of the Up and Coming Entrepreneur Award was: Mike Lawton, Chief Executive Officer of Futuretec Ltd. Mike received his Award from Dr Fiona Reid, Director of Oxford Science Enterprise Centre in the Said Business School, sponsors of the Award.
Runners-Up for the Up and Coming Entrepreneur Award were: Jonathan Stobart of Smart Solar Ltd and Hamish Stoddart and Lee Cash, co-founders of Peach Pub Company Ltd, who have created a highly successful group of food-led pubs.

Oxford Immunotec was selected from the winners of the five Award categories to receive the additional accolade of Overall Winner of the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007. CEO, Dr Peter Wrighton-Smith, 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 Investment Networks.

Dr David Kingham, Chief Operating Officer of Oxford Innovation, said: "We congratulate the Winners of the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007, 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."

The Awards included cash prizes plus free office space for a year in one of Oxford Innovation's Centres, a tailored business support package and PR. Following the presentations, guests enjoyed an opportunity for informal networking during a buffet Reception.

The Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007 were sponsored by: the Said Business School, the South East England Development Agency, Oxford Instruments plc, Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub, Siemens and Oxford Innovation. The Reception was sponsored by Business Link Solutions.

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About Oxford Innovation
Oxford Innovation provides services to innovative start-up companies, and to government bodies that promote enterprise. The company operates 13 Innovation Centres that provide flexible office and laboratory space to over 300 technology, knowledge-based and creative companies.
Oxford Innovation also manages three highly successful Investment Networks. They include: Oxford Investment Opportunity Network ( OION www.oion.co.uk ), Europe’s most successful technology business angel network that links investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding from Ł150,000 to Ł2 million; Oxford Early Investments ( www.oxei.co.uk ), which helps very early stage companies raise finance of up to Ł150,000; and Thames Valley Investment Network ( www.tvin.co.uk ), which links entrepreneurs seeking funding of up to Ł1m with investors in Reading and surrounding areas. These three networks have helped over 90 companies raise Ł19.5m during the last five years. For further information: www.oxin.co.uk

In June 2006, Oxford Innovation merged with SQW, a leading economic development and management consultancy. SQW’s clients include government departments in the UK and overseas, regional development agencies, funding bodies, local authorities, partnerships and international organisations. For further information: http://www.sqw.co.uk

About the Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007
The Judging Panel for the Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007 was:
• Sir Martin and Lady ( Audrey ) Wood, co-founders, Oxford Instruments plc
• Dr David Kingham, Chief Operating Officer, Oxford Innovation
• Professor Ian Page, Business Development Director, Seven Spires Investments
• Lynn Shepherd, Corporate Communications Manager, Oxford Instruments plc
• Fiona Reid, Director of Oxford Science Enterprise Centre, Said Business School
• Dr Andrew Rickman, Founder, Bookham Technology Inc

Award Winners received: a cash prize, the offer of free space in one of Oxford Innovation’s offices or laboratories for one year, in addition to a tailored business support package through Oxford Innovation, including a press release to promote their achievements in the media. For further information: http://www.oxin.co.uk/enterpriseawards

Photo available on request
The Winners of the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007 with Sir Martin and ( Lady ) Audrey Wood.
L-R: Steve Clemmets ( MD of Polymertronics, Best New Technology Company ); Martin Short ( CEO of Sachet Systems, Best Environmental Innovation ); Sir Martin and Lady ( Audrey ) Wood; Dr Peter Wrighton-Smith ( CEO of Oxford Immunotec, Best Healthcare Innovation and Overall Winner ) and Mike Lawton ( CEO of Futuretec, Winner of the Up and Coming Entrepreneur Award ).
Not shown: Tony Sefton ( MD of Vision XS, Best Innovation Award Winner ).