Manchester-based firm DigitalBridge has beat competition from the Silicon Valley, Singapore and Germany to be named one of the world’s most innovative technology businesses.
An international contest run by AI specialist NVIDIA is designed to find the most innovative disruptors in specific sectors.
The Manchester based start-up beat 1,500 other small tech businesses from all over the world to claim top prize in the retail inception contest, which recognised how the business was using new technology to revolutionise the retail sector.
Judges praised DigitalBridge’s use of mixed reality, artificial intelligence and deep computer learning to create a platform that allows consumers to virtually “try on” home décor products before buying them.
David Levine, CEO of DigitalBridge, which is based at Manchester Science Park, said: “This is a truly significant moment for our business.
“To have NVIDIA, one of the world’s biggest technology companies, recognise the work we are doing as among the most innovative in our sector is a fantastic achievement.
“New technology is completely revolutionising how retailers operate and to be at the forefront of that change and leading innovation is an exciting place to be.
“More retailers are beginning to see the value of including visualisation technology in their offering, and we have some big announcements in the pipeline heading in to the second half of the year.”
This international recognition follows DigitalBridge’s success at John Lewis’s JLAB accelerator programme at the end of 2016, which resulted in the business receiving £100,000 investment from the retailer, as well as the opportunity to trial its product instore.
Jack Watts, deep learning start-up business manager at NVIDIA, added: “Start-ups are playing a crucial role in the adoption and acceleration of technology in the retail sector.
“DigitalBridge’s convergence of mixed reality, artificial intelligence and machine learning made them clear winners in our eyes.
“Their platform has the potential to revolutionise how people shop for their homes and solves a real problem in the industry.”