The annual Dynamites24 Awards celebrated the best and brightest of North East tech for an 11th year.
More than 450 attendees saw winners from more than 120 entries crowned across 14 awards categories.
The awards were hosted by comedian Suzi Ruffell and organised by the region’s tech network Dynamo.
Journalist Duncan Leatherdale interviewed guests at the awards, held in Newcastle Civic Centre’s Banqueting Hall.
North East tech startup: SQCDP.co.uk
Stephen Mitchell – known as ‘Mitch’ in the region – isn’t from the right side of the tracks to start a tech business and be successful. There wasn’t a headstart on things and it’s taken 30 years of industry experience to set the business off on the right track, with the focus on solving a real problem and applying startup thinking through validation with customers. The impact of SQCDP comes from having real faith in the original idea, testing it like crazy and putting the people in place that can get things done to solve their problems.
Best use of data: Northumberland County Council
Northumberland County Council is all in on data, setting an exemplar approach in local government. NCC harnesses data to improve service delivery for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors. Their data strategy sets out a five-year vision focusing on engineering, skills and culture. NCC are using data in meaningful ways, to help families access much needed financial and welfare support to improve their quality of life, and documenting the stories of Northumbrian life through a creative ‘story-focused’ data observatory.
Equality, diversity & inclusion: Kinewell Energy
Kinewell Energy is revolutionising the tech sector through innovation and setting new standards for equity and inclusivity. With 31% female representation, agile working practices, and unique recruitment strategies, they far exceed tech industry averages. Their EduKLOC program, participation in inclusive employment schemes, and efforts to make their KLOC software multilingual demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to diversity. Kinewell’s approach not only enhances their technological capabilities but contributes to a more equitable and innovative digital sector overall.
Growth explosion: Leighton
Leighton has achieved remarkable growth, more than doubling revenue in three years. As a leading AWS software developer, they’ve expanded the team, created innovative products, and gained recognition as a Great Place to Work. Leighton’s 32-year legacy, including spinning out globally successful tech businesses, has made a lasting impact on the North East’s tech sector. With projected double-digit revenue growth for FY25, they’re poised for continued success and expansion.
International success: Inflo
Inflo is revolutionising the audit profession globally while staying deeply rooted in the North East. Our remote-first philosophy enables us to attract top talent worldwide, fostering innovation and growth across 106 countries. Despite our global reach, we prioritise regional impact through strategic in-person gatherings that strengthen team dynamics and highlight the North East as a hub for audit technology. Inflo exemplifies how a company can drive international transformation while remaining committed to its regional origins.
Project excellence: Accenture & The DWP Garage
DWP receive over 22k items of miscellaneous items of post each day. These are often hand written letters that can be a complete mix of topics, from providing feedback on a recent job centre visit to more urgent situations for potentially at risk citizens. This solution utilised AI (LLMS) to be able to review and triage these documents on the same day that they arrive – meaning that they were able to identify and direct potentially at-risk citizens to the relevant teams.
Remarkable Innovation (SME): Transmission Dynamics
Transmission Dynamics’ PANDAS-V system revolutionises rail infrastructure monitoring, helping to keep the rail network running smoothly and safely. Using advanced Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning, the system detects problems in real-time, allowing maintenance teams to fix issues before they cause service-disrupting delays and safety risks. This proactive approach not only improves railway safety, but drastically enhances the efficiency and reliability of the rail network, benefiting passengers and operators alike.
Remarkable Innovation (Large Org): LNER
This first to rail solution from LNER working with Network Rail, the Automated Deer Deterrent System has eradicated deer strikes, which cause damage and aftermath on the UK rail network. The system has removed thousands of minutes of customer delays, train repair costs and helps protect wildlife. The last deer strike in the area the system’s installed at was 5 February 2023 and since the installation, there have been no deer strikes in the area.
Rising star: Jack Gooday, Evalian Data Protection Services
Jack Gooday, a 21-year-old security consultant at Evalian Data Protection Services, previously worked for the NHS and NEBRC, where he honed skills in infrastructure hardening, threat hunting, and ethical hacking. He also co-established the Commissioner’s Challenge, promoting cybersecurity among young people. Jack holds a First-Class Honours degree in Computer Networks & Cyber Security from Northumbria University. Known for his technical expertise and interpersonal skills, he is a rising star in the cybersecurity field.
The skills developer: Bede Gaming
Bede Gaming is a global gaming brand with local workforces looking to disrupt the gaming industry. At the heart is developing their people to perform at their best to serve clients. A key strategy around ‘Make Bede the Best Place to Work’ encompassing a focus on: development of Leadership & Technical capability; owning your learning and progression; and identifying and developing high potential with an outward view for future talent at Bede.
Sustainability in tech: Aspire Technology Solutions
Aspire became the NE’s first certified Carbon Neutral IT business in 2024, having fully audited our GHG Emissions to the ISO14064 standard and offset 100% of scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions. Aspire’s mission is to provide their award-winning services to the sustainability technology sector, to partner with an eco-system of suppliers offering customers the widest range of sustainable technology solutions and inspire the next generation to consider a career in science and technology.
Tech champion: Charlie Hoult
Charlie Hoult is a serial tech and property entrepreneur, born and bred in the North East. He works at the heart of the region’s tech economy, championing its growth and creating hundreds of jobs alongside business and educational infrastructure. He is a builder of teams, bringing together the best people to build business success. He is a consummate networker, with a passion to drive the North East’s tech sector forward and benefit its entire community.
Tech for good: GL Assessment
GL Assessment is a world leader in digital assessment and educational data insights. WellComm Digital, the digital version of the speech and language screening toolkit launched earlier this year, allows teachers to quickly and easily identify areas of concern, provides reassuring, engaging experiences for children, and recommends effective measures to help improve a child’s speech, language and communication needs – at a time when children need help the most. The digital capabilities are designed, developed and delivered by their Houghton-le-Spring-based tech team.
People’s choice: Layers Studio
Layers Studio takes a holistic approach, understanding that in order to really make lasting impactful change, it’s not enough to solely focus on employees, but the need to get involved with the wider community and see this as a collaborative effort for the good of the region. Layers also understand the importance of developing skills that fall outside of job roles, softer skills such as confidence, empathy, teamwork, resilience, and communication.