Aberdeen-based software company, DeepMiner, was crowned this year’s Data Trailblazer at the 15th annual Digital Tech Awards held by membership and cluster management organisation for Scotland’s digital technologies industry, ScotlandIS.
With awards being spread across a wide range of sectors, including data and AI, cyber, aerospace, education, managed services and fintech, the ceremony shone a light on the breadth and depth of talent and innovation across the Scottish tech industry.
Out of more than 100 entrants, 12 winners were painstakingly selected by a panel of judges, including experts in cyber, data and AI. Judging was based on outstanding contributions to the industry and to society more widely. An increased focus was placed on strategy and long-term commitment.
DeepMiner picked up the award for its outstanding ability to make data accessible without significant data cleansing, turning complex data landscapes into meaningful, actionable insights for public and private sector organisations.
Other businesses recognised at the awards include Inicio AI, a female-led fintech start-up, picking up the award for Service Innovation for its AI training methods, allowing the tool to accurately advise businesses on money management. Sopra Steria, a leading European consulting, digital services and software development company, won the Best Wellbeing at Work category for its Employee Trust fund created in 1981 to financially support employees through hardships.
Additionally, Lugo became the first-ever winner in the awards’ newest category of ‘Outstanding IT Managed Service Provider’ having been recognised for its exceptional people-focused leadership, innovation and impact on customer service.
Meanwhile, Cieran Smith, an infrastructure engineer at KubeNet, was named this year’s Digital Tech Rising Star.
In light of its 25-year anniversary, the awards commemorated the milestone with a birthday theme running throughout the night.
ScotlandIS CEO, Karen Meechan, said: “A lot has been asked of the Scottish tech sector in recent years, with a high expectation when it comes to driving growth. It has been a source of great pride for our organisation to see so many businesses, across Scotland, achieving so much. Taking moments like this to celebrate the success of our brilliant sector is so rewarding.
“Every year the calibre of entries for Digital Tech Awards never fails to amaze me and it’s inspiring to see the range of sectors this year’s winners represent. From education to AI, it’s indicative of the work being done at all levels to inspire the next generation of talent and support the growth of the sector, despite a tricky climate. It’s a real grassroots to glory picture that’s being painted, and I hope to see that determination continue in the next 12 months.
“Marking a quarter of a century of ScotlandIS, this year’s awards feel particularly special. Having personally been part of the journey for 21 of those 25 years, I’ve seen how we’ve gone from just a small team to now supporting a membership base of more than 1,000 Scottish businesses. We’re incredibly proud of how the Scottish tech sector has flourished over the past two decades and we only hope to see that continue in the next 25 years.”
The full list of winners is as follows:
Tech for Good – 1partCarbon
Product Innovation – British Youth International College
Service Innovation – Inicio AI
Best Wellbeing at Work – Sopra Steria
Data Trailblazer – DeepMiner
Cyber Excellence – PACE Anti-Piracy
Public Sector Innovation – Improvement Service
Outstanding IT Managed Service Provider – Lugo
Digital Tech Rising Star – Cieran Smith, KubeNet
Digital Tech Business of the Year: Start-Up – CAVU Aerospace UK
Digital Tech Business of the Year: Scale-Up – British Youth International College
Digital Tech Business of the Year: Enterprise – Kick ICT
The awards were supported by category sponsors including Sopra Steria, Pulsant, Scottish Government National Cyber Resilience Unit, Futurescot, KAL ATM Software, Lloyds Banking Group, Techscaler, Highground and Dayshape.
