17/06/2026
What a wonderful honour to be considered ❤️❤️❤️
Our judges had two businesses they simply couldn't let pass without recognition. Say hello to our 2026 North East, Yorkshire and the Humber Judges' Choice winners: CybPass and Orbital FX. 🏆
CybPass, founded by PingChen Lin, A***n Pasikhani and Vishesh Sachdev, is tackling one of the defining challenges of the decade: AI is being built into driverless cars, robotics and other safety-critical systems faster than anyone can secure it, using testing tools never designed for it. This University of Sheffield spinout built an AI assurance platform that runs threat analysis, pe*******on testing and compliance checks across the whole AI lifecycle, turning months of work into days.
Orbital FX, founded by Luke and Karen Daley, sits right at the meeting point of engineering and art. The Sunderland studio brings an engineering mindset, CAD, CNC machining and electronics, to creative fabrication for film, TV and live events, combining it with traditional prop-making craft to build ambitious, durable props and set pieces that bring imagination to life.
Two very different businesses. Two ideas the judges simply couldn't ignore. Both now head to the UK National Final at Ideas Fest this September! ⛺
