Hat-trick of award recognition for accessibility start-up

Leeds-based startup IMAGINaiTION has been named a winner in the prestigious 42 Under 42 accolade in Insider Media Yorkshire’s awards, and a finalist in two categories of the North East, Yorkshire & the Humber final of the StartUp Awards.

IMAGINaiTION’s founder, Jason Crispin features on Insider’s 42 Under 42 class of 2024 list, which recognises the best younger business directors across Yorkshire and the Humber.

The business has also been announced as a coveted Rising Star finalist and nominated for the Mobile Technologies categories in the StartUp of the Year Awards.

IMAGINaiTION is a tech startup seeking to utilise AI and machine learning to automate accessibility testing for mobile applications, founded in 2023.

Aiming to make the digital world a more accessible space for over a billion people globally who suffer from disabilities and neurodivergence, such as dyslexia, ADHD and ASD, IMAGINaiTION is automating accessibility testing for mobile applications to empower app-based companies to create digital products that serve everyone.

The UK StartUp Awards was launched to recognise the booming start-up scene across the UK which has accelerated over the last few years with over 900,000 new businesses founded in the UK in 2023, a 12% increase from the year before.

Over 900 businesses have been shortlisted for this year’s UK StartUp Awards and the contribution of these firms - all of which were started in the last three years - is significant, having created nearly 6,000 new jobs since they were established and generating annual sales of £480 million.

Jason said: “Being shortlisted for these prestigious awards is not just an honour, it's validation of the hard work, dedication, and innovation that defines IMAGINaiTION. It signifies our commitment to breaking barriers and creating a more inclusive digital world. This recognition fuels our passion to continue driving change and shaping the future of mobile app accessibility.”

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the UK StartUp Awards, said:
“Start-up businesses are the lifeblood of any economy, being responsible for new jobs, innovation and wealth creation across the UK. All the finalists this year represent the best of those entrepreneurs who have spotted an opportunity and through their sheer hard work, talent and perseverance, have created amazing new businesses that are creating real impact in their sectors. Building on the success of previous years, we are now looking to identify the ‘best of the best’ with all the finalists who win their category in their region going on to represent their region at the first ever UK National StartUp Awards final later this year”.

Supported nationally by ScoreApp, GS1 UK, Starling Bank, OVHcloud, GiftRound, Airwallex, the StartUp Awards programme will celebrate the achievements of the amazing individuals who have turned an idea into an opportunity and taken the risk to launch a new product or service.

The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures. The winners from each region will then be invited to the first UK final taking place at Ideas Fest, the Glastonbury for Business festival in Tring, Hertfordshire on 12th September 2024.

Jason will join his peers in celebrating 42 Under 42 at Insider Media Yorkshire’s ceremony on April 18th at Royal Armouries, Leeds.