Now in its 16th year, the ScotlandIS Digital Technology Awards shines a spotlight on “the great kind of innovation” happening across the country’s tech sector. 

Karen Meechan, CEO of ScotlandIS, describes the awards as a showcase of excellence – from startups to large enterprises – and an opportunity for every corner of Scotland’s digital industries to network, learn and take pride in each other’s achievements. 

Meechan commented: “Each year these awards remind us of the strength, ambition and innovation across Scotland’s tech sector. The companies and individuals pushing boundaries and showing resilience in the face of uncertainty are exactly why these awards exist; to shine a spotlight on the world-class talent we have here in Scotland.

“The calibre and diversity of this years’ winners was outstanding. As technology becomes embedded in almost every sector, we’ve seen an even broader range of organisations taking part in the awards – from learning platforms and banking giants to automotive retailers and beyond.

“Last year ScotlandIS celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was a huge milestone but we’re not resting on our laurels yet. We owe it to the remarkable people who make Scotland’s tech sector so vibrant and dynamic to keep telling their stories, championing their impact and creating conditions for them to thrive both at home and on a global stage”.

Tech Stalwarts and Rapid Scalers Punctuate a Night of Celebration

This year’s iteration of the Digital Tech Awards saw finalists represented from a plethora of digital tech touchpoints – from Tech for Good to Product Innovation, as well as the introduction of a brand-new “AI Trailblazer” award, recognising businesses that harnessed AI in the past year to drive genuine transformation – from boosting efficiency to creating novel products. 

So, who took home the accolades on the night?

Across the awards’ three Business of the Year Categories (Startup, Scaleup and Enterprise), Head for Data, Gigged.AI and Quorum Cyber took home the respective honours.

The always excellent Tech for Good Award this year went to Storm ID, with judges impressed with the Edinburgh firm’s highly impactful diagnostic digital solution in the medtech space.

Highlighting its innovation around EV chargers and the Scottish stalwart’s approach to accessibility, the judges honoured Arnold Clark, which won the award for Service Innovation.

For the Product Innovation award, Quarch Technology took home the win, with judges praising the firm’s… well, product, saying it showed true innovation in stress testing devices effectively – a quality required in the age of AI.

Closed Door Security won the Cyber Excellence award, with judges commending the firm’s focus on speed and simplicity for customers, saying that such an approach should be rewarded.

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The amazing transformation work being undertaken by NHS 24 was also recognised on the night, with the organsation taking home the Public Sector Innovation Award.

For Outstanding IT Managed Service Provider, judges hailed winner Illuminate IT for its strong leadership and culture, as well as its quality-first approach to growth that puts its customers first.

As for the new AI Trailblazer award, that went to 2i, with judges commending how rare it is to see recordable evidence of AI improvement, with 2i’s offering giving users tangible benefits. Accepting the award, a spokesperson for 2i said: “This is just the beginning…”

Finally, the award for Digital Tech Rising Star went to 2i’s Bruce Devlin, saying: “Four years ago I was unemployed and on benefits – this award is a reflection of so many underrepsented people.”

The full list of winners is as follows: