A tech company which fought off intense competition to win the contract to build the progressive web app MyBoscombe has been recognised as a UK rising star.

IoTech Limited has been named as a ‘Tech Nation Rising Stars City Winners’ for Bournemouth and the South West.

It recognises IoTech as one of the nation’s most innovative, early-stage tech companies.

IoTech will now represent Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch at tech events throughout the UK as a company directly influencing technological advances in IoT (The Internet of Things) in the South West.

It will also go through to the regional and then, hopefully, national finals where it will be given the chance to showcase its business to investors, accelerators, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and the UK tech community.

Michael Leggett, Business Development Director, co-founded the Poole-based business with his wife, Charlotte.

He was previously Head of Sales at marine electronics specialist, Actisense, also based in Poole.

IoTech only officially began trading in March 2021.

Michael, pictured left, said the recognition was a “fantastic surprise”.

He added:  “I’m thrilled to see my company grow from its humble beginnings back in early 2021 to be recognised as one of Bournemouth/Poole’s most innovative tech companies.”

IoTech was among 26 companies invited to submit a bid to build the MyBoscombe app.

The concept of a community-based ‘app of apps’ which can be used either as a website or as a phone app was first developed by Adrian Hale in 2019.

In November 2021 IoTech was awarded the contract to build the app.

Earlier this year the ‘MyBoscombe’ proof of concept community app was launched within Boscombe, considered the best place to trial and develop it.

The project received the support of Towns Fund government funding with Adrian Hale as Strategy Lead in BCP Council’s Smart Place team.

The new app – which can be accessed here – delivers valuable information to residents, businesses and visitors to the Boscombe area.

It enables a range of users to connect directly with their local place, through promoting support organisations, community groups, independent shops, restaurants and travel operators.

The app also gives details about local jobs, social groups, volunteering opportunities and information on places to visit as well as information about local services available from the council and its agencies.

It was built by IoTech under the direction of, and in collaboration with, BCP Council’s Smart Place team.

Michael said: “We at IoTech could almost instantly visualise the benefits of such an innovative, place-centric, platform.

“There was no better way of presenting such an idea than using the latest technology in the way of a progressive web app (PWA).”

The project was split into two phases.

First there was a beta version of MyBoscombe, helping the BCP Smart Place team establish both the technical feasibility of the app and the value it provides locally.

Critical to the growth of the PWA were the ideas and feedback which users can submit directly via the app.

The upcoming phase 2 will be more sophisticated, with greater technical capability including a more interactive platform, further accessibility features and a comprehensive suite of products and resources available to use.

MyBoscombe can be used via any device with internet access without the need to subscribe or download anything.

Although supported by website desktops, users with smart phones or tablets can add the PWA to their home screens so it can function similarly to a traditional app.

• the-iot.co.uk