THE founder of a young Edinburgh tech firm has said she was “fair chuffed” after her company was shortlisted for a major award.
Rachel Jones, founder of Edinburgh-based SnapDragon, was speaking after she was shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year at the Amazon Growing Business Awards.
Swoop – her company’s intelligent monitoring system – identifies counterfeit products on the world’s busiest online marketplaces. It is the first of its kind to be made publicly available and the most effective, fast and affordable brand monitoring service available to SMEs.
“We’re fair chuffed to be nominated for an Amazon Growing Business Award,” said Jones. “We have had a brilliant year to date, so this nomination is wonderful news and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.
“The Amazon Growing Business Awards are great recognition for businesses in the UK and we’re really excited to be shortlisted alongside some other fantastic businesses.
“Everyone at SnapDragon is looking forward to the awards ceremony in London on November 28th.”
Another Edinburgh company to be nominated in the awards is the family-owned Apex Hotels, which was founded by Norman Springford in 1996, with its first hotel in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.
It has been shortlisted in the Growing Business of the Year Larger Company category.
Since opening its latest establishment in autumn last year – the Apex City of Bath Hotel – the group now employs more than 1000 people across its 10 hotels in Edinburgh, London, Glasgow and Dundee as well as a laundry facility in Livingston.
Apex Hotels CEO Angela Vickers said: “It’s fantastic to be shortlisted for the 2018 Amazon Growing Business Award. Apex Hotels has enjoyed a very positive year in 2018 and this nomination is recognition of the hard work and dedication from the entire Apex team in providing a warmer welcome to all of our customers.”
Created by Real Business, headlined by Amazon and supported by the CBI, the awards have become the UK’s most prestigious event celebrating the successes of the UK’s SMEs and entrepreneurs over the last 20 years. Past winners include Go Ape, Innocent Drinks and Zoopla.
New for this year, they will honour businesses who have made a positive impact on society.
The 2018 awards also see the continuation of two new categories introduced last year to celebrate family-owned businesses and the creative industries.
Doug Gurr, UK country manager for Amazon, added: “The depth and breadth of this year’s shortlist proves why the UK is a great place to set up and run a business.
“With a record number of applicants, there was a high level of competition in every category. I’d like to congratulate SnapDragon and Apex Hotels and wish them all the best of luck on the awards night.”
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