With judging now underway for the Test Valley Business Awards 2026, long-standing Gold Sponsor Southampton Science Park is once again helping to recognise the businesses using innovation and technology to drive progress across the borough.
The University of Southampton Science Park is sponsoring the Business Innovation and Technology Award, celebrating businesses that have successfully embraced technological innovation to deliver measurable improvements and gain a competitive advantage.
Innovation does not have to mean inventing an entirely new technology. Across Test Valley, businesses are finding new ways to use technology to improve products and services, streamline processes, increase efficiency, enhance the customer experience and solve everyday business challenges.
The Business Innovation and Technology Award recognises those organisations that can demonstrate how new ideas or technologies have created genuine and measurable benefits.
As an organisation dedicated to supporting innovative and ambitious businesses, Southampton Science Park has a natural connection with the category. The Science Park has supported the Test Valley Business Awards as a Gold Sponsor since the awards began and is once again proud to be involved in recognising the businesses helping Test Valley remain a vibrant and forward-looking place to do business.
Southampton Science Park has said that the award is designed to shine a light on businesses that have successfully embraced technological innovation, whether through creating new products, services or processes or by using technology to improve efficiency, competitiveness and customer satisfaction.
Katie Brooks, Chairman of the Test Valley Business Awards, said: “Innovation can happen in every type of business. It might be a completely new product or technology, but it can equally be a business finding a smarter way to solve a problem, improve a service or transform the way it works. That is what makes this category so exciting. It gives us an opportunity to discover businesses that have looked at what they do, challenged the way things have always been done and found a better way forward. Southampton Science Park has been part of the Test Valley Business Awards journey from the very beginning, and its continued support is hugely important to us. There could hardly be a more natural partner for an award celebrating innovation, technology and businesses determined to keep moving forward.”
Following the close of nominations on Sunday 2 August, Southampton Science Park and the other Gold Sponsors are now reviewing this year’s entries as part of the judging process.
Each sponsor has the task of assessing the nominations within its category and identifying the businesses and individuals that will progress to become the Test Valley Business Awards 2026 finalists.
The Business Innovation and Technology Award has previously highlighted businesses using technology in very different ways, demonstrating the breadth of innovation taking place across Test Valley.
The Awards bring together businesses of all sizes, from new and emerging enterprises to established employers, recognising the achievements, ideas and people helping to shape the local economy.
The winners will be revealed at the Test Valley Business Awards Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Saturday 17 October 2026, bringing together finalists, sponsors and guests for an evening celebrating business excellence across the borough.
Further announcements, including details of the 2026 finalists, will be made following the completion of judging.
Visit www.tvbawards.org.uk and follow the Test Valley Business Awards on social media for the latest news and announcements.
Test Valley Business Awards 2026 – celebrating, supporting and championing brilliant businesses across Test Valley.
