Nominations have opened for this year’s SPARKies, the pioneering awards that shine a light on the best individuals, products and firms that make up the West of England’s tech sector.
Launched in 2012, the annual awards have grown to become the best-respected tech accolades in the region, attracting hundreds of entries from across the region’s vibrant technology sector. 
The 17 categories celebrate the best start-ups, designs, hardware, people and more.
The awards ceremony alternates between Bristol and Bath to reflect the spread of the region’s tech cluster – and after being staged in Bath’s Parade Gardens last summer, pictured, it returns to Bristol this July.
Tickets for the event on 11 July at Central Warehouse, the city’s new cultural, community, performing arts centre in St Jude’s, include a meal from one of the venue’s street food vendors, a welcome drink and drinks tokens.
The awards are staged by TechSPARK, the information hub for all things tech in Bristol, Bath and the West of England.
Bristol’s tech talent swept the board at last year’s awards with firms and individuals from the city triumphing in 14 of the 17 categories.
Among the winners were Cajigo, a mentoring and recruitment app launched by Bristol-based entrepreneur Rav Bumbra and designed to help bridge the gender gap in the tech sector, which won the Totally Killing It award, and Bristol Braille Technology CIC, which has dedicated the past 12 years to creating better Braille technology and breaking down the barriers blind people face. It topped the ‘Good’ category.
For more details and to buy tickets for this year’s SPARKies, click here
