Opportunities
24 Sep 2024

Digital Europe Future Unicorn & Dual-Use Technology Awards 2025: Call for Nominations

Nominations are open for Digital Europe’s Future Unicorn Award 2025 and a new Dual-Use Technology Award.

The awards will be presented at Masters of Digital on 19-20 February 2025 and techUK members are invited to submit entries.

Future Unicorn Award
This award celebrates European scale-ups demonstrating exceptional growth and innovation in digital fields and will be presented by Ekaterina Zaharleva, the new Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation.

Nomination Criteria:

  • Scale-up with >20% growth in revenue OR staff over the last 3 years.
  • At least 10 employees; OR €1 million turnover; OR €10 million in raised funds.
  • Operates in digital fields such as AI, Cybersecurity, Aerospace, Energy, Quantum, Biotech, etc.

Dual-Use Technology Award
This is a new category recognising companies that develop technologies with applications for both civilian and military purposes and will be presented by Andrius Kubilius, the new Commissioner for Defence and Space.

Nomination Criteria:

  • Meets the Future Unicorn Award criteria.
  • Dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and military markets; OR have a clear strategy to sell technology to both civilian and military sectors.

Please nominate one company for either or both awards by 18 October 2024, and participation is crucial in identifying and supporting Europe’s next wave of tech innovators.

Nominations close on 18 October 2024 and can be submitted via the form here.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Defence Programme activities

The Defence programme works to help the UK’s defence technology sector align itself with the MOD. techUK members are able to navigate and better understand the UK Defence sector to successfully align their own investment and resources to take advantage of business opportunities. Visit the programme page here.

 

Upcoming events

24 January 2025

Ministry of Defence's Defence Digital Software Enterprise - engaging with industry

London Market briefing
30 January 2025

Information Superiority Forum briefing with Mivy James, Chief Digital Technology Officer, Ministry of Defence

London and online Forum
11 February 2025

Defence Commercial Business Forum - Defence Digital Briefing

London and Online Forum

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Meet the team  

Fred Sugden

Fred Sugden

Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK

Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.

Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members.

Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.

 

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07985 234 170

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Raya Tsolova

Senior Programme Manager, techUK

Raya Tsolova is a Programme Manager at techUK. 

Prior to joining techUK, Raya worked in Business Development for an expert network firm within the institutional investment space. Before this Raya spent a year in industry working for a tech start-up in London as part of their Growth team which included the formation and development of a 'Let's Talk Tech' podcast and involvement in London Tech Week. 

Raya has a degree in Politics and International Relations (Bsc Hons) from the University of Bath where she focused primarily on national security and counter-terrorism policies, centreing research on female-led terrorism and specific approaches to justice there. 

Outside of work, Raya's interests include baking, spin classes and true-crime Netflix shows! 

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07712630603

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Jeremy Wimble

Jeremy Wimble

Programme Manager, Defence, techUK

Jeremy manages techUK's defence programme, helping the UK's defence technology sector align itself with the Ministry of Defence - including Defence Digital, DE&S, innovation units and Frontline Commands - through a broad range of activities including private briefings and early market engagement events. It also supports the MOD as it procures new digital technologies.

Prior to joining techUK, from 2016-2024 Jeremy was International Security Programme Manager at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) coordinating research and impact activities for funders including the FCDO and US Department of Defense, as well as business development and strategy.

Jeremy has a MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham and a BA (Hons) in Politics & Social Policy from Swansea University.

Email:
[email protected]

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Tracy Modha

Tracy Modha

Team Assistant - Markets, techUK

Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.

Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!

Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
02073312000
Twitter:
@TracyModha,@TracyModha
Website:
www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83,https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83

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