LONDON, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Four innovative tech scale up businesses tackling challenges from connecting cancer patients to clinical trials, to improving IT systems' resistance to cyber-attacks, have been announced as winners of the Unicorn Kingdom Pathfinder Awards (UKPA) – DBT's largest global awards for tech scale up companies.
The awards, hosted by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), provide a unique opportunity to unearth the most promising businesses in tech and builds on the success of the UK's Tech Rocketship Awards in 2023, which resulted in £67.4 million investment into the UK. 
The government is focused on transforming the UK into even more of a magnet for investors and global businesses of all shapes and sizes. The awards serve as a reminder that the UK is the place to do business, helping to advance further opportunities for investment and growth.
Finalists were drawn from four categories: AI, Cyber Security, Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology and Digital Trade Solutions. 
The winners were announced yesterday at LinkedIn's HQ in London, where the 10 finalists pitched to a leading panel of judges from the tech industry. They also heard from entrepreneur Alpesh B Patel OBE in a fireside chat, alongside panellists Envisionit Deep AI and Shopline - two successful businesses that have set up in the UK. 
The winners will also attend a roundtable at No10 to discuss their success at the awards and explore ways in which the UK can maintain its position as a premier destination to grow a business.
Minister for Small Businesses Gareth Thomas said: 
"We have a thriving tech sector worth over $1 trillion, and our Pathfinder Awards are vital in encouraging more tech scale ups from around the world to do businesses here in the UK. 
"Not only does the UK have more unicorns than France and Germany combined, but our country continues to be a prime destination for tech businesses from across the world to come and succeed." 
Winners of the UKPAs will receive a tailored growth programme to scale up their business in the UK, including support from leading industry and government sector specialists and expertise from DBT's Global Entrepreneur Programme.  
Winners: 
Cagatay Culcuoglu, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Massive Bio said:
"It's amazing to win the UKPA award for AI. The UK is a great place to expand globally and for business operations. We are looking forward to building our footprint in Commonwealth nations with the support of DBT and help cancer patients identify the right clinical trials."
Diego Padovan, Chief Executive Officer at CyLock said:
"In cyber security, trust is something that is essential to provide your products. This kind of competition is crucial to building trust with our customers."
Mohamed Hamedi, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Grubtech said:
"It's great to have the UK as a base to accelerate our global expansion. Thank you to DBT for supporting us to open doors, remove barriers, and helping us to hit the ground running."
Sancak Gülgen, Co-Founder of Bottobo said:
"We really appreciate the support from the UK government for startups and future unicorns. The most important part is that they have a clear plan for the future needs of the technology and focus for us."
Increasing investment is a mission at the heart of this government. Britain is back and open for business, and our thriving tech sector, already worth $1.1 trillion, shows that the UK is the investment destination of choice. 
The UK is one of only three economies in the world with a trillion-dollar tech sector, closely behind the US and China, and we're encouraging more tech scale ups to come to the UK and operate here. 
Our new Industrial Strategy will be international from the start, taking learnings from the best of what has been achieved globally. It will build on the UK's strengths to support even more international businesses to thrive in our market. That's why digital and tech is one of our growth sectors that will be a focus of the strategy. 
Full list of finalists:
AI:
Digital Trade Solutions:
Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM):
Cyber Security:
Notes to Editors 
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
UK's Department for Business and Trade Announces Winners of Unicorn Kingdom Pathfinder Awards, Backing Next Generation of Tech Scale-Ups
GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MINISO, a leading global lifestyle brand known for its high-quality, affordable lifestyle products, is delighted that its Harry Potter-inspired collection is now available at MINISO stores around the world.
MINISO's Harry Potter collection features over 800 meticulously designed products spanning various categories, including plush toys, pet products, cups, toys, stationery and gifts, fragrances, accessories, and more than ten other categories. Each product integrates iconic elements inspired by the Harry Potter films, making them instantly recognizable to fans. For example, school-themed items are inspired by the colors and symbols of the four Hogwarts houses, featuring bags, scarves, gloves, and socks. Beloved elements like Hedwig, Harry's birthday cake, and Platform 9¾ also appear in the designs.
The collection extends the magic further, with stylish bags adorned with symbols like the Hogwarts crest and The Golden Snitch, and plush toys of iconic characters such as Harry and Hermione. Blind boxes containing hidden Hogwarts treasures add an element of surprise for collectors, while home décor items like Hogwarts-themed cushions as well as stationery such as journals embossed with house emblems enhance the magical experience. Every product is crafted with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring fans can truly engage with the spellbinding world of Harry Potter.
MINISO's Harry Potter co-branded products have been enchanting fans around the world. In the United States, the Irvine Spectrum Center store, along with other major stores on both coasts, featured meticulously designed Harry Potter-themed areas. In Asia-Pacific, MINISO also launched Harry Potter-themed in-store displays across multiple stores as well as a pop-up in Hong Kong, providing fans with a fun shopping experience.
The collection has already been launched in multiple countries, including Canada, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and France, with plans to expand to over 80 countries worldwide.
MINISO's Harry Potter-inspired collection has allowed the company to bring the magic of Harry Potter to everyday products, delighting fans worldwide. Looking ahead, MINISO will continue expanding the Harry Potter collection with new items and exclusive releases through 2025, ensuring fans across the globe can enjoy a magical world inspired by the Harry Potter films.
About MINISO
MINISO Group is a global value retailer offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products featuring IP design. The Company serves consumers primarily through its large network of MINISO stores, and promotes a relaxing, treasure-hunting and engaging shopping experience full of delightful surprises that appeals to all demographics. Aesthetically pleasing design, quality and affordability are at the core of every product in MINISO's wide product portfolio, and the Company continually and frequently rolls out products with these qualities. Since the opening of its first store in China in 2013, the Company has built its flagship brand "MINISO" as a globally recognized retail brand and established a massive store network worldwide.
About the Harry Potter franchise
From the moment eleven-year-old Harry Potter met Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his adventures have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Today, over 25 years later, the Harry Potter phenomenon thrives as one of the most successful and best-loved entertainment properties in history.
J.K. Rowling's best-selling Harry Potter novels have been brought to life in an ever-evolving, interconnected universe which is loved by millions of fans worldwide. Eight blockbuster Harry Potter films and three epic Fantastic Beasts films bring the spellbinding action to life on screen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child mesmerises on stage, and state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games allow players to experience the wizarding world like never before. Fans can proudly showcase their passion through innovative consumer products, and thrill at spectacular location-based experiences - including five theme park lands at Universal Studios locations around the world.
This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts offerings includes ground-breaking touring experiences and events, each developed to celebrate special moments and locations that fans cherish, as well as the Platform 9 3â„4 retail shops and iconic flagship store - Harry Potter New York. Wizards, Witches and Muggles alike can also discover something new as they explore behind-the-scenes secrets at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.
With a new HBO Original TV series based on the Harry Potter books on the way, this extended world continues to provide the community with fresh and exciting ways to interact. For its global fans, and for generations to come, it invites everyone in to find the magic for themselves.
For the latest Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts news and features, visit www.harrypotter.com.
About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), part of Warner Bros. Discovery's Revenue & Strategy division, extends the company's powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBDGCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on award-winning toy, fashion, home décor and publishing programs inspired by the biggest franchises from Warner Bros.' film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Eurosport, Adult Swim, and more. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, and promotional partnerships, WBDGCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
All characters and elements © & â„¢ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights ©JKR. (s24)
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Magical Wonders Await: MINISO Launches 800+ Harry Potter Inspired Products Globally
Magical Wonders Await: MINISO Launches 800+ Harry Potter Inspired Products Globally
Magical Wonders Await: MINISO Launches 800+ Harry Potter Inspired Products Globally
Magical Wonders Await: MINISO Launches 800+ Harry Potter Inspired Products Globally
