TEES TECH AWARDS 2024
TECH START-UP AWARD
SPONSORED BY MONTEL ENAPPSYS
FINALIST
THE MAESTRO ONLINE
Winner – Matthew Scrimshaw , commercial director of Montel , presents the Tech Start-up Award to Trusted-People . com director Jack Wheldon .
WINNER
TRUSTED-PEOPLE . COM
No one had to work harder to win a prize on Tees Tech Awards night than Trusted-People . com founder Jack Wheldon .
For to have a chance of winning the Tech Start-Up category , Jack had to give a nerve-wracking pitch to the audience about his business .
The category , sponsored by Montel EnAppSys , saw three talented tech entrepreneurs pitch for the title by giving two-minute presentations .
Then , the power was in the audience ’ s hands – and with 47 per cent of the vote , Jack ’ s job-matching service was a comfortable winner .
Set up to help transform the temporary staffing sector , Darlington-based Trusted-People . com connects businesses with a diverse pool of workers spanning 14 industries .
For workers , it offers a user-friendly platform to discover flexible job opportunities that suit their talents and requirements – whether that ’ s part-time , temporary or gig work .
For employers , it simplifies the hiring process , allowing businesses to find skilled , local workers quickly and affordably .
And for Jack , even making his pitch was an achievement , let alone winning the trophy .
He explained : “ The pitch was so nerve-wracking . I suffer from anxiety , so to be able to get up on stage in front of so many people , I feel like I ’ ve achieved so much just doing that .
“ But wow , this is amazing . It ’ s so nice to be able to feel appreciated like that . It ’ s been hard work but to have people vote for me and win an award , it ’ s so nice .” And the key to his success , Jack feels , lies in the relatability of the product . He said : “ I think it ’ s the fact so many people can relate to it . It ’ s hard at the moment , being able to survive financially , and this offers people a way to earn a bit of extra cash that is so desperately needed for so many people .
“ I came from a family where we had nothing , and I wish something like Trusted-People existed back then . Now I just want to keep growing , get investment and really start marketing it .”
To win the award , Jack saw off challenges from medical inventory service Salvify and online music learning platform The Maestro Online .
The exciting “ public vote ” was one of many highlights from the fifth Tees Tech Awards , which were organised by Tees Business in association with headline sponsor Fitfactory Technology & Everfield .
Founded in October 2022 by Dr Robin Harrison , The Maestro Online delivers music courses and masterclasses that start with the ear and not notation . Learners develop the ability to perform in a unique way , with the company ’ s core message “ never be a clone ”. The objective is to be the core online provider that develops and qualifies the musical artists of the future , using music masterclasses from international names along with Ofqualaccredited pop piano exams that are new to the market and unlike any others .
FINALIST
SALVIFY
Founded in late 2023 by seasoned nurse Craig Rabbetts and software architect Guy Brown , Salvify addresses critical gaps in medical inventory management – describing itself as “ the digital ointment for medical inventory pain ”. Its SaaS ( software as a service ) solution helps private ambulance and event medical providers maintain compliance and efficiency . Recognised by the North East Ignite Pre- Accelerator Programme , Salvify has rapidly gained traction , securing early adopters and a growing user base .
SPONSOR ’ S REFLECTIONS :
Matthew Scrimshaw , commercial director , Montel EnAppSys “ Montel have been established for 20 years in the data analytics business . We ’ re based on Teesside and we ’ re very keen to sponsor award ceremonies like this because of the importance of nurturing new talent . We were there once , so we like to do what we can to support the industry and help the region .”
154 | Tees Business