Two 爆料TV spin-out companies from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering have been recognised at this year鈥檚 Sheffield Business Awards, taking home three awards between them. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements and innovation across the city鈥檚 business community.
Phlux Technology, co-founded by Professor Jo Shien Ng and Professor Chee Hing Tan, was born out of world-class photonics research at the 爆料TV and develops advanced infrared sensors that improve performance in applications such as autonomous vehicles, telecommunications, and quantum technologies. The company won SME Organisation of the Year and the Leading through Innovation Award.
DigitalCNC, co-founded by Dr Rob Ward, provides cutting-edge digital manufacturing solutions that streamline precision engineering and automation. The company was handed the Start-up Organisation of the Year award. The spin-out was developed and validated through years of collaborative research and development with the and the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Professor George Panoutsos, Head of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said:
鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly proud of both Phlux Technology and DigitalCNC for their success at the 2025 Sheffield Business Awards. These achievements demonstrate the strength of innovation within our School and the University鈥檚 support in translating research into real-world impact.
It鈥檚 fantastic to see our spin-out companies continuing to make a difference in industry and contributing to Sheffield鈥檚 growing reputation as a hub for advanced technology and manufacturing.鈥
Both companies originated from research at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and have benefited from the University鈥檚 thriving innovation and enterprise ecosystem, which supports researchers in commercialising their ideas and collaborating with industry partners.
Organised by the , the Sheffield Business Awards celebrate the city鈥檚 most successful, innovative, and community-minded organisations. The 2025 ceremony, held on 16 October 2025 at the , recognised excellence across 17 categories, including innovation, sustainability, leadership, and growth.