SIX PRIZES VALUED AT OVER $10,000 AWARDED TO THE BEST OF UK AND US START-UP SCENE

NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The winners of the UK Government's inaugural GREAT Tech Awards were announced tonight at The GREAT Tech Awards Gala at The McKittrick Hotel in New York City. The GREAT Tech Awards, an international technology competition celebrating the best of UK and US technology start-ups, is hosted by UK Trade & Investment. New York-based tech start-ups applied over the summer to win one of five custom UK expansion packages in the education, finance, hardware, lifestyle, and media sectors.

"The technology sector is of utmost importance to the UK, and is bolstered by our commitment to innovation, entrepreneurialism, and a dynamic business climate," said HRH The Duke of York, whose official work includes supporting the economic success of the UK. "The GREAT Tech Awards offer an unparalleled opportunity for the winners to use the UK as their next step towards international expansion and success. I wish the winners the best of luck on their exciting new journey across the Atlantic."

The US award winners were handpicked by a panel of judges representing the finest industry leaders, influencers, and entrepreneurs. The winners are:

The Advisors' Choice Award, awarded to Blippar,recognizes a British technology company that has successfully established a New York office.

Sponsors of the competition include Virgin Atlantic Airways, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), TaylorWessing, BritishAmerican Business (BAB), and Blick Rothenberg.

"We are thrilled to announce the winners of The GREAT Tech Awards tonight, which represent the best of the UK-US tech industry," said Danny Lopez, British Consul-General to New York. "We have seen exponential growth in tech clusters in both UK and US cities in recent years, and it's no coincidence. Winners will embark on a journey of international expansion in the best country in Europe to grow a business, and these bespoke development packages will provide a helpful boost for these companies to succeed."

The five category winners receive a customized package that includes: a premium economy round-trip airplane ticket provided by Virgin Atlantic Airlines departing from JFK on October 14, and returning from LHR on October 19, 2013; a meeting with a senior representative at the UK Prime Minister's Office, No. 10 Downing Street; over $4,000 worth of legal services courtesy of TaylorWessing; $3,000 worth of accountancy/business advisory services provided by Blick Rothenberg LLP; a two-day customized business development program in London (15-16 October); three classes at General Assembly in London;  one entry pass to London's Wired 2013 Conference (17-18 October 2013); an introductory meeting with a major British brand to be selected by a sponsor; a tour of co-working and shared office spaces in London;  a free annual corporate membership with BAB in either London or New York's chapters; a complimentary Gold Ticket Registration to the BAB Christmas Luncheon (in either London or New York); inclusion in a feature on the winners in BAB New York's Network magazine.

The Advisors' Choice winner's prize package includes: a business reception hosted by the British Consul-General New York at the British Residence; a free annual corporate membership with BAB in either London or New York's chapters; three classes at General Assembly in London; a complimentary Gold Ticket Registration to the BAB Christmas Luncheon (in either London or New York); inclusion in a feature on the winners in BAB New York's Network magazine.

Judges include: Ben Lerer, CEO/Co-founder of Thrillist Media Group and partner at Lerer Ventures; David Karp, CEO/Founder of Tumblr; John Borthwick, CEO/Co-founder of Betaworks; Margaret Dohnalek, Global Head of Technology Scouting, PepsiCo; Simon Bradley, Vice President Marketing, North America, Virgin Atlantic Airlines.

The Advisory Board consists of: Elizabeth Gould, Senior Producer at Bloomberg Media; Paul Murphy, Senior Vice President at Betaworks; Shivon Zilis, VC at Bloomberg Beta; Tarek Pertew, CEO/Founder of Wakefield Media and Uncubed; Ziv Navoth, CEO/Co-founder of Paragraph and Tech City Investment Organisation Advisor.

Editor's Note:"Technology is GREAT" is part of the wider GREAT Campaign, which promotes the UK around the world as a great place in which to visit, invest and study. For more updates on The GREAT Tech Awards, follow @UKTItechNY and @UKinNewYork#GREATtech

SOURCE British Consulate-General, New York

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