Partnerships which connect inspirational businesses across the region with the University of Essex’s renowned research have been recognised at a special Celebration of Innovation.

Awards were presented to businesses including Mersea Homes and Colchester-based Above to recognise successful partnerships with the University.

The University of Essex’s first Innovation of the Year Award, was presented to London-based Urban Electric for its electric car charging solution, which could help millions of drivers to change to electric vehicles.

Urban Electric developed the UEone retractable kerbside charging hub to solve the problem of overnight charging of electric vehicles for the 25 per cent of drivers without off-street parking at home.

The innovation beat four other shortlisted contenders to the new award.

The smartphone-operated UEone retracts flat and flush with the pavement, leaving pathways free of obstruction. It connects to charging pits and can be replaced if it fails.

Keith Johnson, Co-Founder of Urban Electric said: “Winning the award tonight feels amazing especially as there was such strong competition.”

“We are in the next stage of funding and winning this award from the University of Essex is incredible.

“The University has such a good reputation for innovation and I’m proud to be amongst such great winners.”

The awards were presented by Professor Chris Greer, pro-vice-chancellor for research, at an event compered at the University’s Colchester Campus.

The Innovation of the Year award was open to any business in East Anglia or London which had developed an outstanding and inspirational business solution.

Other shortlisted companies were n2s of Bury St Edmunds; Industrial Robotics Solutions, based in the University’s Innovation Centre in Colchester; Healum and Motilent, both based in London.

Professor Chris Greer said: “All the winners demonstrate incredible dedication and creativity.

"Our partnerships with these businesses are absolutely vital to support innovation and economic growth and we are at the forefront of applying world-class research to real-world business challenges.

"Together we have shown we can develop effective and sustainable solutions to make the world a better place.”

The winners were: Best Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Associate: Rodolfo Cuan Urquizo, Best Management KTP Associate: Joshua Arrowsmith, Best Academic supporting a KTP: Dr Haider Raza, Best Partnership (SME): The partnership with Mersea Homes, Best Partnership (Large company): The partnership with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), and Lasting Impact Award: Above.