Some of the most highly regarded names in tech were recognised at the prestigious 17th annual Investor Allstars Awards at London鈥檚 Hilton Park Lane.
The awards were hosted by tech investment firm GP Bullhound and 聽leading B2B media company Bonhill Group and brought together the entrepreneurs, investors and advisers responsible for shaping Europe鈥檚 tech landscape.
Among the big winners on the night were French digital聽music聽distributor Believe, which won Europe鈥檚 Allstar Company; and Sara Murray, OBE, who founded聽monitoring device firm Buddi. She was the winner of Europe鈥檚 Allstar CEO Award.
Inflexion won the Growth and Buyout Fund of the Year category while the Entrepreneur of the Year was Timo Soininen, of Small Giant Games.
Manish Madhvani, managing partner of GP Bullhound, said: 鈥淭he Investor Allstars Awards spotlight the strength and velocity at which Europe鈥檚 tech ecosystem is developing. It is inspiring to see individuals and organisations across so many sectors converging with technology and emerging as global leaders in the space. Europe鈥檚 tech talent makes immense progress each year, and the awards are the best indicator of who the leaders across the industry are. The dedication and innovative approaches of those celebrated last night are inspiring, and fully embody the spirit of European tech.鈥�
Denis Ladegaillerie, founder聽 and CEO of Believe, commented: 鈥淲e are absolutely delighted to have won Europe’s Allstars category this year and to be included in a cohort of such innovative and pioneering entrepreneurs. Europe鈥檚 tech scene is continuing to thrive and prove why it is globally first-class 鈥� we are so proud to be contributing to this.鈥�
Sara Murray OBE, Founder and CEO of Buddi, said: “I鈥檓 proud that the market-disrupting path Buddi has forged over the last decade within next generation remote monitoring has been recognised at this important event for Europe鈥檚 entrepreneurial and investor community.鈥�
Simon Stilwell, CEO of Bonhill Group plc, the quality of the competition reflected the strength of the European tech sector itself. 鈥淎mbition, talent and innovation are defining characteristics of every single shortlisted company and individual, and last night鈥檚 winners are those who are leading the charge at the forefront of Europe鈥檚 tech frontiers,鈥� he added.
The full list of award winners is:
- Europe鈥檚 Allstar Company: Believe
- Europe鈥檚 Allstar CEO: Sara Murray OBE – Buddi
- Growth and Buyout Fund of the Year: Inflexion
- Exit of the Year: Adyen (Index Ventures)
- VCT of the Year: Beringea
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Dave Bailey – Mediatonic
- Specialist Debt Provider of the Year: Harbert
- Venture Capital Fund of the Year: Creandum
- Digital Innovation in Art: Artwork Archive & the Kremer Collection
- Service Provider of the Year: Multiple
- Seed Fund of the Year: Pro Founders
- Tech for Good: DDM
- Investor of the Year: Frederick Court – Felix Capital
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Timo Soininen – Small Giant Games
Around 750 people attended the Investor Allstars Awards 2019, which were sponsored by Orrick, .ART, Barclays, Berenberg, Bird & Bird, Calibre One, Cooley, Shawbrook Bank, Shoosmiths, Taylor Wessing and Withers tech.