TEES TECH AWARDS 2020
Tech Exporter
SPONSORED BY
Winner
Appamondo
Middlesbrough-based Appamondo was a self-confessed “ invisible ” company until it scooped the Tech Export trophy .
“ We don ’ t tend to shout about ourselves ,” laughs director Rick Hutchinson .
“ This award was a shock given the strength of the other shortlisted companies , but it ’ s great for brand awareness and to let the people of Teesside know we exist .”
Appamondo had a hugely successful 2019 and has gone from strength to strength this year , despite the pandemic .
“ We ’ ve been able to progress so well because we are a fully digital business . We ’ ve got no constraints , so operating and being able to work in other territories is just as easy as in the UK once you exclude the language barriers .”
Bringing in international support via Maria Dotsche at the Department for International Trade was another step up for Appamondo .
“ Maria was incredibly helpful ,” says Rick .
“ We ’ ve done virtual trade missions and she introduced us to contacts who have gone on to be consultants for us or to work with us directly . They ’ ve definitely helped us achieve our exporting goals .”
Rick is full of praise for the Tees Tech Awards .
“ It ’ s huge to have something specific for the tech sector . We have a bunch of amazing companies here . You don ’ t have to go elsewhere for a good career in tech – it ’ s on your doorstep .”
Appamondo director Rick Hutchinson receives the Tech Exporter award from Ian Kelly , of category sponsor Davies Tracey .
Finalist Carbon Middlesbrough-based Carbon is a cloud-based , next-generation data management platform which guarantees incremental revenue per user by combining data science , unique intent scoring and a suite of data activation and monetisation tools .
Built by publishers for publishers , it offers an unrivalled feature set that focuses on one area , creating a profitable relationship between publishers and advertisers .
Carbon ’ s ongoing success has seen them gain a presence in the United States , working with advertisers and publishers who have global brands .
Finalist Nicander Billingham-based Nicander is a specialist software systems company , supplying the IT sector and specialising in intelligent transport systems and highway asset management . The firm exports to Scandinavia , Australasia and Ireland .
Its Scandinavian exports have grown with the ongoing support and enhancement of the National Traffic Management System platform , its largest contract .
Export success has resulted in a recruitment drive that required a 30 per cent increase in staff resources during the early part of the year .
Sponsor ’ s message
For Davies Tracey , Stockton-based charted accountants and business advisors , sponsoring the Tech Exporter category in
the Tees Tech awards was a no-brainer “ To support the Tees Tech Awards , especially in the first year , was very important to us ,” says tax partner , Ian Kelly .
“ It was nice to be able to sponsor an award in a sector where our region has an excellent reputation . Davies Tracey as a firm has international contacts across the globe , with 195 offices worldwide and 200,000 staff in 140-odd countries , so we have good international coverage to hopefully help those shortlisted in our category . “ Overall , the standard of entries was fantastic ,” says Ian . “ Appamondo were worthy winners and hopefully they will have an excellent year of growth and we look forward to offering help , advice and assistance .”
30 | Tees Business