Innovation Awards finalists meet competition sponsors – East Midlands Business Link

This year’s Leicestershire Innovation Awards shortlisted businesses have joined sponsors and other guests at De Montfort University for a pre-awards event. The awards are this year being led by the LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub for the first time. Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Chair of the LLEP Innovation Board, congratulated entrants for reaching the final shortlist. He said: “Everyone reaching the shortlist has, in fact, already succeeded. The standard of entries has been so high this year – competition has been incredibly strong. “Our finalists have all demonstrated exceptional achievement, commercial impact, technical excellence, and creativity – all underpinned by an innovative mindset. “Our entrepreneurial community throughout Leicestershire is driving growth through innovation, creating jobs and strengthening our economy – we have much to celebrate together.” Phoebe Dawson, Chief Exec of the Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Partnership noted that innovative thinking was required from the Growth Hub itself as it took the lead on the awards for the first time late last year. She said: “We worked with partners and sponsors to secure the event for 2024, build a whole new nomination platform, and secure a record haul of nominees. The finalists from those nominees are here tonight and it’s great to meet face-to-face.” Phoebe described the Business Gateway Growth Hub’s work in supporting innovative small businesses over recent years, with gains in productivity made across a host of sectors. “The Growth Hub will continue joining up the dots for local businesses needing support as the LLEP transitions into a new structure over coming months.”