Leeds based BigChange Apps was victorious at this year’s Big Chip digital awards, winning best B2B e-business project. BigChange helps companies plan, manage, schedule and track their mobile workforces and transport operations. It’s JobWatch app replaces paperwork and keeps offices seamlessly in sync with staff on the road.
BigChange received the award in recognition of the innovation and potential shown by a new ‘uber style’ on-demand service app to be launched later in the year. It will empower consumers to instantly find, compare and book services such as plumbing and maintenance at the push of a button. BigChange’s rapid growth also impressed the judges; serving in excess of 11,000 subscribers, the business achieved sales of £2m last year and is on course for £4m in 2016. The Big Chip judges really liked the way that BigChange are bringing digitisation to broader service industries.
Aside from awards, the company has attracted the attention and business of hundreds of clients, including global names such as Komatsu, Silentnight and HSS Hire. Famous customers also include Joseph Valente, winner of The Apprentice 2015 and founder of Impra-Gas, a plumbing business owned 50/50 with Lord Sugar.
Paul Lancaster, an author and advisor to northern technology companies has called BigChange ‘the next big unicorn’ in a reference to start-ups with a valuation of more than £1bn.
The Big Chip Awards are the top digital awards outside London and the longest running in the UK. The prestigious awards event welcomed over 400 top digital professionals to recognise the industry’s innovations and achievements over the last 12 months. The awards are known for their highest standards of objectivity and integrity and are judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts.
Now in their eighteenth year, the awards are eagerly awaited by people in the industry and the fabulous awards evening has become a must-attend event for digital businesses from across the North.
The awards emphasise the importance of Leeds and Yorkshire based businesses on the global tech stage. BigChange founder Martin Port commented “Leeds is a hotbed of digital innovation and is serving a global audience with breakthrough products that have the power to scale worldwide. Earlier this year we were invited to present our technology to Google’s own workforce in Las Vegas and we couldn’t be prouder in terms of promoting the innovative sprit that is driving growth and prosperity in our region.”
BigChange founder Martin Port has a track record of growing successful technology ventures in the Yorkshire region and was the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Photo from left to right: Bethany Black – compare and comedian, Andrew Scully, Commercial Director BigChange, Julie Turner, Financial Director BigChange, awards sponsor Laura Wolfe and judge Alastair Cole, The Engine Group.