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Ambitious Essex tech 50 2026

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Ambitious essex tech 50 – 2026

The Essex tech sector continues to grow from strength to strength, from billion pound investment in supercomputers in Thurrock, to local entrepreneurs taking that risk and starting their newest venture on a shoestring.

Today, Essex is home to an estimated 5,320 tech businesses employing over 20,500 people, a testament to its dynamic and growing ecosystem.

This third iteration of the Tech 50 shows the depth of growing and highly competitive businesses who are based in Essex. This year, we’ve also introduced individual awards to recognise truly outstanding contributors, a challenging task given the wealth of talent within our borders.

The Tech 50 has gone from a simple to list to a catalyst of competition within our county and acted as a springboard for those aspiring to be on the next cohort of Grow Essex Global. We hope the following businesses and individuals inspire you to innovate and grow, and to make you certain that Essex really is the home of innovation.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Start-up of the Year

Merlin Cloud
From the minds behind &Element, Merlin Cloud utilises AI tech and data analytics to improve customer experiences in retail and increasing store profitability by 23%.

Visit Merlin Cloud

Collaboration of the Year

KleanDrive + Welch Group
After KleanDrive’s initial success with First Group, their collaboration with Welch Group saw them convert Welch’s fleet of HGV’s into E-HGV’s using their state of the art, plug-and-play e-drivetrain system.

Learn more about this

Young Tech Talent of the Year (18 - 30)

Luke Brown
At the ripe old age of 29, Luke has been instrumental in the thriving Colchester tech scene, founding two of the counties most exciting businesses, &Element and Merlin Cloud.

Connect with Luke

Community Leader

Lara Fox
A member of the Greater Essex Business Board and Director of Objective, Lara has been exceptional in both roles, forming relationships at events to understand the wants and needs of businesses, providing insights as a speaker, and aiding in the growth of Tech Essex.

Connect with Lara

Innovation of the Year

Faraday 2
Superdielectrics
had built on the success of Faraday 2’s predecessor (Faraday 1), to create a ‘fridge-sized’ energy storage unit which could lead to capabilities of reducing household electricity bills by 85% or more.

Learn about Faraday 2

Entrepreneur of the Year

Connect with Muntazir

Business Success Award

Concurrent
Concurrent has doubled its market value to £200m in just one year, becoming the fastest-growing tech firm on the London Stock Exchange. With an 80% workforce increase over four years, the company has outgrown its Colchester base and is seeking further investment in the local area.

Follow on LinkedIn

Tech Champion

Alex Boucher MBE
Alex was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his continuous contributions to the commercial growth of the video games industry and entrepreneurship. Essex has a very young and exciting video games industry growing, and Alex has been instrumental to it’s growth.

Connect with Alex

Click on a tile to find out more about this years representatives!

AET50 (A-Z)

Aerial Icon

A specialist in 360 aerial video and photography services

Aerial Icon

Affiliate Squared

Provides secure website development, hosting, e-commerce tech, and bespoke software development

Affiliate Squared

Air Solutions

Captures aerial data using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Air Solutions

Alphasense

Develops gas sensor technology for manufacturers

Alphasense

AP CGI

Animation studio that specialises in product visualisation services

AP CGI

Arecor

develops pharmaceutical technology to be used in healthcare and research

Arecor

Attract & Engage

Provides various marketing services to aid in the growth of businesses

Attract & Engage

Austin Motor Company

Develops electric cars using the vintage Austin Motors brand.

Austin Motor Company

Babble

Provider of cloud, cybersecurity, connectivity, and IT solutions.

Babble

Bangl

Innovative AI/QR based, multi-lingual information delivery tool.

Bangl

Carbon Numbers

Provides energy data insights for buildings through cloud technology.

Carbon Numbers

CML Microsystems

Designs and supplies mixed-signal, RF, and microwave semiconductors globally.

CML Microsystems

Concurrent

Creates world leading long-life, hyper resilient single board computers.

Concurrent

Crowd Data Systems

Cash management, forecasting and treasury management software.

Crowd Data Systems

Dlala Studios

Multiple award winning games studio, known for high profile IP game development.

Dlala Studios

Handpoint

Embedded payments platform for SaaS companies worldwide.

Handpoint

Hellenic

Provides innovative hardware and software to enhance efficiency in food manufacturing

Hellenic

HyperCIM

Develops AI database accelerators to optimise to data processing speed and efficiency

HyperCIM

Immervox

Designs, delivers and supports business critical infrastructure

Immervox

Ionic Digital

Award winning web development and marketing solutions

Ionic Digital

iSite TV

Produces video content and web strategies for businesses to grow

iSite TV

Japeto

Develops bespoke software, websites, apps and chatbots for various industries.

Japeto

KleanDrive

Offers technology to convert diesel buses into zero-emission electric vehicles.

KleanDrive

Leonardo

World renown specialists in aerospace, defence, and security technology.

Leonardo

Lolly

Develops EPoS payment and stock inventory management software

Lolly

Mammoth Creative

provides digital branding and marketing services.

Mammoth Creative

Marmoset

Design apps for physical and virtual property marketing

Marmoset

Merlin Cloud

AI powered services optimising physical footfall and efficiency in retail

Merlin Cloud

Monitor Audio

Designs and manufactures a bespoke range of HiFi audio electronics

Monitor Audio

Movex

Automotive logistics exclusively connecting dealers with transport providers

Movex

Nexus / HDC

Develops software for healthcare companies focusing on care planning and notation.

Nexus / HDC

Noda

Business intelligence platform that makes buildings more efficient and sustainable

Noda

Objective

Tech agency providing development, analytics and process management.

Objective

Octopus Networks

Delivers complete network management and IT support services.

Octopus Networks

Pocket Power

Free holistic health and wellbeing app to support mental and physical wellbeing.

Pocket Power

Recirculate Systems

Resource management software which aims to reduce waste and environmental impact

Recirculate Systems

Redtail Telematics

Designs telematic products and devices for vehicles

Redtail Telematics

Sensore (by Graphene Trace)

Automated AI powered pressure ulcer prevention technology

Sensore

Sky Futures

Creates drones that perform inspections on onshore and offshore oil and gas facilities.

Sky Futures

Softvize

Specialist agency in web and software design

Softvize

Superdielectics

Develops energy storage technology to build safe, cheap, and sustainable energy systems

Superdielectrics

TechWyse

Provides IT support and consultancy services to businesses.

TechWyse

Thrifted

Thrifted operates an online vintage clothing store.

Thrifted

Thumb Soldiers

Innovative gaming accessories for precision, comfort, and accessibility.

Thumb Soldiers

Versatile Robotx

Develops automated robotics for use in the agriculture industry.

Versatile RobotX

Vibe Agency

AI powered bespoke web development and business streamlining service

Vibe Agency

Walking Digital

Designs and builds websites, online shops and provides marketing solutions

Walking Digital

Xenomorph

Provides data management services to banks, insurance companies and investment managers.

Xenomorph

IF you would like to nominate a business/your business for 2027, please contact us at Techessex@essex.gov.uk

This list was created by Ian Barrett.
Judged by: Ian Barrett.

Ambitious Essex Tech 50 2024

See the original list from 2024!

Ambitious Essex Tech 50 – 2024

Ambitious Essex Tech 50 2025

The second iteration of the Tech 50!

Ambitious Essex Tech 50 – 2025

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