The Digital Entrepreneur Awards can give a company validation in the marketplace, according to last year’s winners.
The nation’s digital superstars of all sizes have been urged to enter the prestigious awards after the deadline was extended to Friday 18th August.
For the first time this year the 16 categories have also been divided by region, with awards up for grabs both in the North and the South.
Speaking after winning the Digital Entrepreneur of the Year gong in 2016, Social Chain CEO Steve Bartlett said: “It’s a fantastic honour to win this award – and a morale boost for our team.
“It always means a lot to be recognised in the industry for what we do. It’s a pat on the back from our peers.
“It’s important to have ceremonies like this, which recognise entrepreneurs online, because it’s a time for our industry to come together. There are a number of clients and people we work with here tonight.”
Well done @_SteveBartlett digital entrepreneur of the decade! #DEA2016 @UKDEA pic.twitter.com/aWpVQhgZwK
— Graham Withe (@grahamwithe) November 9, 2016
Dream Agility CEO Elizabeth Clark was over the moon after the Ramsbottom-based company won the Small Digital Business of the Year award.
“It gives us third-party validation so we can go out and say ‘look at us, we’re winners!’” she said.
“It’s really important in telling the wheat from the chaff.”
Need we say more? #DEA2016 @UKDEA @DreamAgility pic.twitter.com/mcA6j4X21c
— Dream Agility (@DreamAgility) November 9, 2016
Why not nominate a business or entrepreneur right now?
Now in its 13th year, the DEAs have been a springboard to success for many of the web’s pioneers, underlining their hard work and innovation.
The awards honour achievements in digital entrepreneurialism as well as recognising innovation in an ever evolving sector.
From spectacular animation to innovative software, social media, mobile apps and websites, there is an award to recognise outstanding work in every digital profession.
A little Gatsby party never hurt nobody #DEA2016 https://t.co/IW9hGTHTV3
— Chris Marsh (@Marsh80) November 9, 2016
The winners of the Southern DEAs will be announced at an awards dinner at Plaisterers’ Hall, One London Wall, on Wednesday 8th November.
The Northern DEA winners will then be unveiled at Manchester’s The Principal – formerly the Palace Hotel – on Wednesday November 22nd.
Some of the categories returning from last year are eCommerce Business of the Year, Best Use of Mobile Technology, Most Innovative Use of Video or Animation, Social Media Campaign of the Year, Most Innovative Use of Technology, Digital Agency, Business & Startup of the Year and Digital Entrepreneur of the Year.
You can see a full list of the categories here.
There is a stellar judging panel for the awards led by Lawrence Jones MBE, founder and CEO of the DEAs’ long-standing main sponsor, cloud computing firm UKFast.
Other confirmed judges include Richard Law, chairman of ZUTO and former CEO of GB Group; Claire Braithwaite, tech advisor at Manchester Growth Company; Jonathan Wall, controller, BBC Radio 5 Live; Tom Bloxham, chairman and co-founder, Urban Splash; Jess Jeetly, founder and CEO of JEETLY; Paul Bason, director of digital innovation at Manchester Metropolitan University; Steve Purdham, chairman and founder of 3Rings Care; Colin Stevens, founder and CEO of Better Bathrooms; and Lou Cordwell, CEO and founder of magneticNorth.