Applications Open For 2nd Annual GREAT Tech Awards Competition

NEW YORK, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Applications are open for the UK government's second annual GREAT Tech Awards competition, celebrating the best US and UK technology companies and hosted by UK Trade & Investment and the British Consulate General New York.

Technology companies headquartered in the US states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut are encouraged to apply to win a UK expansion package in one of six sector categories: education, finance, health, internet of things, lifestyle, and media. The award winners from the six categories will be chosen by a panel of judges representing the finest tech industry leaders, influencers, and entrepreneurs. Applications are open until Friday, 1 August 2014. Confirmed sponsors of the competition include Propel, Blick Rothenberg, Corinthia Hotel London, Taylor Wessing, and Second Home.

"I am thrilled to announce that applications are open for the second annual GREAT Tech Awards," said Danny Lopez, British Consul General New York. "The GREAT Tech Awards will attract the best tech talent from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, and will offer companies a unique opportunity to grow their business in the UK, which is the best place to do business in Europe. Let the competition begin!"

The panel of prestigious judges includes: David Karp, CEO/Founder of Tumblr; Pete Cashmore, CEO/Founder of Mashable; Lily Cole, Founder of Impossible.com; Douglas Atkin, FinTech Fund Portfolio Manager, Guggenheim Partners; Marco Mohwinckel, Global Head Integrated Care Solutions, Janssen Healthcare Innovation; Margaret Molloy, Global Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Business Development for Siegel+Gale; and Yinka Adegoke, Deputy Editor, Billboard.

Winners receive a customized package that includes: a roundtrip flight to London; five nights accommodation plus breakfast at the five-star Corinthia Hotel London and a welcome cocktail reception in honour of the winners; accountancy services by Blick Rothenberg; legal services by Taylor Wessing; recruitment services by Propel; three months free office space in East London for two employees provided by Second Home; meetings with investors, property agents, mentors, and government officials; and attendance at the Innovate Conference in London.

Additionally, the Best of British Award will be awarded to recognize the transatlantic growth of a British technology company that has successfully established a New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Connecticut office.  The winner of this award will enjoy promotion at events, in publications and more.

The Advisory Board includes: Nima Behkami, PhD, Director of Strategic Alliance, Merck & Co; Paul Murphy, Partner, Betaworks; Ziv Navoth, Co-Founder/CEO, Paragraph; Tarek Pertew, Co-Founder, Wakefield; and Bob Schukai, Head of Advanced Product Innovation at Thomson Reuters. Winners will be announced at the GREAT Tech Awards Gala on Thursday, 9 October 2014 in New York City, and will fly to the UK from New York during the week of 2 November 2014.

Editor's Notes:

• The GREAT Britain campaign promotes and showcases the very best of what the UK has to offer, welcoming the world to visit, study and do business with the UK. 
• For more updates on The GREAT Tech Awards, follow us on Twitter @UKTIUSA and #GREATtech, and on Tumblr.
• Blick Rothenberg provide tax and accounting services to over 450 US companies doing business in the UK and wider markets and are, once again, delighted to be sponsors to the 2014 GREAT Tech Awards.
• As London's 21st Century Grand Hotel, Corinthia Hotel London combines contemporary flair with traditional grandeur and is situated in the cultural heart of the capital.
• Propel are the preeminent provider of recruitment services to US technology companies expanding into the UK and Europe.
• Taylor Wessing is a leading international, forward thinking law firm, with over 1,000 lawyers in 23 offices, advising clients across the world's most dynamic industries.
• Launching in Shoreditch in October 2014, in the heart of London's creative and technology cluster, Second Home will provide access to a global network of entrepreneurs, innovators and creative leaders. It will offer both private and social workspaces in a stimulating environment that supports new forms of collaboration and creativity.

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SOURCE British Consulate General New York