The United Kingdom’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched its first global technology awards called Unicorn Kingdom: Pathfinder Awards (UKPA), to unearth and showcase the most promising scale-up companies in the technology industry.
Driven by an enduring spirit of innovation and a unique combination of world-class talent and agile regulation, with a focus on global expansion, the initiative offers an ideal environment for entrepreneurs to achieve their ambitions within the tech industry.
Winners will receive a tailor-made programme in the UK, including meetings with leading industry and government sector specialists and invitations to VIP events and receptions.
In addition, tailored support from DBT’s Global Entrepreneur Programme will be on offer, to support ambitious businesses to scale and grow from a UK global headquarters. Winners will also receive exposure and recognition through promotional activities run by the DBT to accelerate their business growth.
To be eligible for the Unicorn Kingdom: Pathfinder Awards, applicants must ensure their business is a scale-up that offers technology-driven solutions in one of the categories under the Awards; their product/service has international applicability as well as not having a UK presence, but be interested in establishing one within 2 years.
Categories under the Awards include: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Cyber Security; Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology; and Digital Trade Solutions
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) category is open to businesses whose main business product, service or function is artificial intelligence. This encompasses technology with the ability to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as machine learning, natural language processing and computer vision.
AI in the UK award is open to globally ambitious scale-ups in AI.
The Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Technology category is open to businesses whose main business product, service or function is related to CAM technology. This encompasses any vehicle relying on connectivity and autonomous authority to travel safely and within the rules of the Highway Code. Please note that this award is specifically related to technology businesses rather than the production of vehicles themselves.
The CAM technology in the UK award is open to globally ambitious scale-ups in CAM Technology.
The Cyber Security category is open to businesses whose main business product, service or function is cyber security technology, which exists to reduce the risks and protect devices, infrastructure, networks and services from cyber-attacks.
Cyber security in the UK award is open to globally ambitious scale-ups in Cyber Security.
The Digital Trade Solutions category is open to businesses whose main business product, service or function is digital trade, defined by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as digitally enabled transactions in trade in goods and services which can be either digitally ordered and/or digitally delivered involving consumers, firms and governments.
The Digital trade solutions in the UK award is open to globally ambitious scale-ups working within Digital Trade Solutions (with a focus on digital customs, digital identities, electronic trade documents and electronic invoicing).
Those whose businesses cover more than one category, are encouraged to apply for the most relevant one.
Interested applicants can download a copy of the submission form to help them prepare their application and to see the questions in advance.
Applicants are required to submit their applications by April 30, 2024, 1:59 pm.
