A DORSET-based marine technology company has been recognised as 'Tech SME of the Year'.
Savvy Navvy, often referred to as ‘Google Maps for boats’, won the award at the South Coast Tech & Innovation Awards ceremony.
The company was recognised for its technical innovations to simplify boating navigation for its users in more than 100 countries across the globe.
Jelte Liebrand, the company's founder and CEO, said: "We’re thrilled to be acknowledged for our technology and innovation – the exact reason we set out over seven years ago to digitalise navigation and bring the marine industry into the 21st century.
"For us, it has always been about making boating safer and more accessible, creating the best features to simplify anyone navigating the global waters. The award comes at a great time, with Savvy Navvy continuing to scale up dramatically.
"We are actively shaping the marine industry for the better, and working alongside the team we are challenging the bigger navigation solutions in the global market."
Savvy Navvy, founded by Poole-based Jelte Liebrand, has recently reached over two million app downloads, seeing huge user growth in markets including the UK, USA, Australia and the Mediterranean.
The company has also expanded partnerships internationally to support safer boating, such as leading insurers, marine conservation, vessel and engine manufacturers.
Alongside this, the navigation app is now also being sold through a new distributor network set up only a few months ago.
The prestigious South Coast Tech & Innovations Awards were held at Hilton Southampton on Thursday, October 5, celebrating the best in technology and innovation with winners selected from a record number of entries.
Savvy Navvy was a finalist in two categories and won the ‘Tech SME of the Year’ award, as the only innovative business representing the marine industry.
The judges said: “Savvy Navvy is continuing the South Coast’s long history of innovation and excellence in the marine sector. By supplementing traditional charts with real time wind and tide data they have produced a single integrated navigation tool for all marine leisure activities."
They added Savvy Navvy was selected as winner “based on its commitment to forging new paths with an exciting product that truly stands out from the crowd”.
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