Keele University Business Gateway is delighted to announce the launch of the very first Breaking the Mould awards. The awards celebrate the diverse community of innovative entrepreneurs, businesses, social enterprises, employers and research partners who have worked with us over the last two years.

If that includes you, we want to share your story and reward your talents and hard work.

Breaking the Mould’s awards evening takes place on Thursday 17 October. Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Naga Munchetty in the brand new Smart Innovation Hub*, it promises to be an awards evening like no other, with surprises in store. Winners will go away with our coveted artisan trophies which are just as innovative as the businesses we work with.

Nominations are now being accepted in the following categories:

• Health and Wellbeing - sponsored by Cobra Biologics
• Sustainability - sponsored by Cadent
• Social Inclusion - sponsored by Synectics solutions
• Bringing Learning to Life - sponsored by Dains Accountants
• Cultivating Talent - sponsored by We are aspire
• Leadership - sponsored by Caja
• Future Enterprise - sponsored by Staffordshire County Council
• Collaboration of the Year - sponsored by Siemens UK

Nominations can be submitted online here. The deadline for submissions is midnight on 31 July 2019.

Speaking about the awards, Stephen Roberts, Keele University’s Business Gateway Manager, said: “Breaking the Mould provides a great opportunity to put a spotlight on the innovative companies that call Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire home, and to recognise the impact that they are having on the local economy, environment, health and wellbeing.”

“Keele is working with over 500 businesses, who are gaining unparalleled access to world-leading research, expertise and talent. Breaking the Mould gives us a chance to recognise those organisations who have used their collaboration with Keele as a catalyst to go on to develop truly great things.”

“Breaking the Mould promises to be a great event in the local business calendar, and we’re looking forward to celebrating the abundance of amazing enterprising talent that is based in the local area.”

Keele University Business Gateway would like to thank Siemens UK who are headline sponsor for Breaking the Mould 2019, as well as the other local and national organisations who are sponsoring the awards.

To find out more about Breaking the Mould, please visit www.keele.ac.uk/breakingthemould.

*The Keele University Science and Innovation Park Smart Innovation Hub (Ref No: 32R17P01691) / Innovation Centre 6 which has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the England Growth Programme 2014-2020, the Midlands Engine and Staffordshire County Council with support from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.