The Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is pleased to announce the finalists for the highly anticipated Digital Award at the 2025 Business Awards, proudly sponsored by Capula. This award recognises outstanding businesses across Staffordshire that are leading the way in digital transformation, using innovative technology to redefine business models, enhance operations, and drive inclusive growth.
This year’s finalists exemplify the very best in digital innovation—from AI-powered manufacturing and emergency response tools to digital inclusion platforms that are changing lives.
Launched by the team behind Solesmith, Podsmith has emerged as a game-changer in personalised manufacturing and on-demand retail. Officially launched in 2023/24, Podsmith helps small businesses create custom-branded products and uniforms using cutting-edge digital infrastructure. The business has dramatically improved production efficiency—cutting time by 50% and reducing error rates by over 80%—thanks to its integration of AI-powered personalisation, bespoke webshop platforms, and smart Order Management Systems. In its first year alone, Podsmith is already on track for six-figure revenues, combining traditional craftsmanship with forward-thinking technology to build a brand that is efficient, scalable, and digitally native.
Wavemaker has been named a finalist for its vital work addressing digital inequality across Staffordshire. As the region’s leading digital skills and inclusion provider, Wavemaker is helping underserved communities and individuals to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
At the heart of its success is the DigitAll platform, which uses AI-powered tools and professional e-learning systems to make digital education accessible and engaging. By pairing cutting-edge tech with grassroots outreach, Wavemaker is ensuring no one gets left behind in the digital age. Its nomination highlights Wavemaker’s growing influence in shaping Staffordshire as a digitally inclusive, future-focused region.
Midlands Power Networks (MPN) has been recognised for its groundbreaking work in the high-voltage electrical services industry, earning a finalist spot for the development of 105PowerOff—an AI-driven emergency response app. Created through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Staffordshire University, this mobile-first platform provides businesses with instant, 24/7 access to Senior Authorised Persons (SAPs) in the event of electrical outages. This transformative solution blends real-time data, AI, and nationwide infrastructure access to deliver a service with national potential. MPN is setting a new digital standard in an industry traditionally reliant on analogue systems.
Winners will be announced at the 2025 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards Gala, held on Wednesday, 10 July 2025, at Uttoxeter Racecourse.
