Award Archives - Invest Colchester

Image of MOLO's aim of the app which is to manage modern family life effectively

UK Startup Award winner helped by University of Essex researchers

Posted on July 8, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

A startup supported by Essex researchers to develop a groundbreaking app to help parents cope with the mental load of bringing up children in the modern world has won a UK Startup Award.

MOLO, the AI-powered ‘family operating system’, has won the Consumer Services StartUp of the Year Award for London with judges highlighting the partnership with the University of Essex.

The UK Startup Awards recognise the achievements of amazing individuals who have had a great idea, spotted the opportunity and taken the risks to launch a new product or service.

Find out more https://www.essex.ac.uk/news/2026/06/17/uk-startup-award-winner-helped-by-essex-researchers

Image credit: MOLO

Colchester’s new Digital Forum wins two construction awards

Posted on June 4, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

The Digital Forum on Queen Street has picked up two awards at the Constructing Excellence Essex Club Awards.

The team behind the development were recognised with Building Project of the Year and Conservation & Regeneration winner .

Horizon Construction Group and Inkpen Downie Architects and the Daniel Connal Partnership, all based around Colchester, played key roles in the project which has transformed a complex historic site into an ultra-modern business hub for the digital companies and freelancers.

Image credit: Horizon Construction

Colchester Gift Retailer Wins National Award for Innovation

Posted on June 4, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Popular Colchester gift retailer, Bill & Burts, has won a national award for Best Retailer Initiative at the recent National Gift Retailer Awards.

Bill Nettelfield runs gift shop Bill and Bert’s in Sir Isaac’s Walk alongside business partner Sarah Charlton.

The business beat five other nominees from across the country to win Best Retailer Initiative at The Greats Gift Retailer Awards on May 14 in London.

The Award recognised the shop’s innovative approach for its ‘What’s In The Box?’ videos which it started posting weekly on social media over the last few years.

Image credit: Bill & Burts

Colchester Institute's Alison Andreas, Principal and Chief Executive with Mark Emerson, Vice Principal, Curriculum Innovation and Transformation

Colchester Institute designated a Clean Energy Technical Excellence College (CETEC)

Posted on April 14, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Colchester Institute has been given a share of £175m by the Government to transform it into a centre of technical excellence.

The government has awarded the Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) status to 19 new colleges across the country but Colchester Institute is one of only five colleges to receive clean energy designation.

The funding aims to help deliver high-quality training in the sectors driving Britain’s growth such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and defence, as well as digital and technologies.

Picture credit: Colchester Institute

More follows: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/26018112.colchester-institute-technical-excellence-college/

Mercury Theatre wins Sustainable Workplace of the Year Award

Posted on April 14, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Colchester’s Mercury Theatre has been recognised by a regional awards scheme recently when it was named winner of the Sustainable Workplace of the Year award, sponsored by Indigo Swan, at the East Anglia Clean and Green Awards 2026.

The theatre has made significant strides by incorporating sustainability practices into its operations, with a strong focus on environmental responsibility and community engagement.

It operates on 100% renewable electricity, supported by a 67.5kW rooftop solar energy system that powers the building and returns surplus energy to the grid.

Image credit: East Anglian Daily Times / Matthew Potter Photography and Videography