Ahead of the flagship UK technology event, Digital 2015 (June 8-9th) organisers have revealed the ‘Digital Dozen’– 12 companies that are making waves through their innovative use of technology and are helping to shape the UK’s digital economy.
Each of the companies represent a diverse range of products and services – from innovative start-ups to established players– and are championing new and disruptive technologies with digital at their core.
Organisations on board include Blurrt, which specialises in sentiment analysis and has worked with LBC Radio, The Sun and ITV Wales to uncover real-time party favourability during political debates for the Scottish Referendum and this year’s General Election using its ‘Twitter worm’; Schoop, a tool for keeping schools and communities connected and Veeqo, an online stock management platform which has just become the first Welsh company to raise £1m through crowdfunding.
A number of them will be taking to the stage at the event to share their knowledge and experience of what it takes to cut through the noise and truly make a mark in today’s competitive digital economy – while each of their stories will be championed through videos, guest blog posts and case studies in the coming weeks
With growth in sectors including healthcare, data management, analytics and e-commerce attributing to an 87% increase in new digital companies in South Wales from 2010 to 2013, the 12 companies have each played their part in this fast-moving progression. They include mobile apps that help workforces stay healthy, digital switchboards, tools to keep teachers, parents and pupils in touch and apps for businesses to better task-manage and increase workflow.
Digital 2015’s Digital Dozen are:
- Blurrt: Based in Cwmbran, focussing on sentiment analysis and Twitter analytics
- Schoop: Showcased at 10 Downing Street in February as one of the UK’s best tech start-ups, the app improves communications in schools, with its offices based in Cardiff.
- Veeqo: Founded in Swansea, Veeqo provides stock & order management platform for multi-channel retailers.
- Moneypenny: The UK’s leading provider of telephone answering and outsourced switchboard services. Based in Wrexham, the company has been looking after telephone calls for businesses of all shapes and sizes since 2000, and was recently awarded fourth place in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For.
- Object Matrix: Based in Cardiff and supplying storage and archive solutions for media and entertainment industries globally. Clients include Sony Pictures, BT, the BBC and Fox Sports.
- Nudjed: Caerphilly-based Nudjed provides software that measures workforce health and tailors individual advice on both individual and organisational levels.
- Big Click: App developers working with local communities and young people from Rhondda to develop educational apps for Wales. The founder, Ben Treharne-Foose was inspired to start the social enterprise as part of Penrhys Partnership following Digital 2013.
- DropTask: A uniquely visual task management application that improves workflow and offers real-time collaboration for teams through an engaging and user-friendly interface. DropTask is based in Penarth.
- Musiqli: Founded in Cardiff, Musiqli provides a digital service for musicians enabling better communication and collaboration within communities.
- Yogscast: Described by the BBC as ‘The UK’s kings of YouTube’, The Yogscast is a network of talented and entertaining YouTube creators committed to bringing the best in gaming entertainment to the world.
- Neighbourly.com: A new social network that connects local projects with people and organisations who want to help. Neighbourly launched July 2014 with M&S and Starbucks as Founding Partners.
- DVLA: Swansea-based Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are liaising with digital entrepreneurs and working on technology development programmes.
Held on 8th – 9th June at the Celtic Manor in Newport, Digital 2015 will showcase digital innovation and skills through interactive talks, workshops, panel debates and fringe events on a range of hot digital topics such as crime prediction, digital fashion, and healthcare technology.
Sir Terry Matthews, tech entrepreneur and Wales’ first billionaire, said: “Wales’ acknowledgement as a growing hub of digital activity is due in part to these start-up businesses and individuals who push for change within their organisations. Each organisation represented in the Digital Dozen has recognised that in the modern day, investigating creative uses of new technologies is vitally important. These are examples of the organisations and people who are pushing the boundaries of technology, making waves in Wales and the South West, and setting a standard for businesses across the rest of the UK.”
To find out more about the Digital Dozen or to sign up to attend Digital 2015, visit www.digital2015.co.uk
