This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the ADS Security Innovation Award. Following a record-breaking number of submissions in 2024, and growing anticipation for this year’s award, 2025 promises to be an exciting year. The Innovation Award aims to identify capabilities and services that have significantly advanced the UK’s ability to prevent, respond to, reduce the impact of, or investigate risks and incidents.
The award is open to UK exhibitors at Security & Policing 2025 and offers a rare opportunity to showcase leading British innovations to key representatives from government, industry, and academia. Finalists will benefit from increased visibility at the event, including exposure to VIPs and dedicated media and PR support.
Who can enter?
Entries are open to SMEs, primes, and start-ups alike. The competition is accessible to businesses of all sizes — with previous winners and finalists coming from a diverse range of companies. The process is inclusive, offering the same chance of success to new entrants as to more established companies.
Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their innovations live on the Spotlight Stage at Security & Policing, in front of a panel of judges from government, academia, and industry.
Closing date for entries is Friday 21 February.
Tips for success
To stand out, it’s essential to present a clear and compelling description of your innovation and its benefits. The judges will be looking for originality and impact—focus on what sets your technology apart from the competition. Keep in mind that judges may not be experts in your specific field, so avoid using jargon or overly technical language. Instead, focus on conveying how your innovation addresses key security challenges and the broader needs of the market.
Judges will assess your submission based on the following criteria:
• Innovation and uniqueness in the market
• Market demand and user need (not just sales volume)
• The impact of the solution on improving security and resilience
Previous winners: Vikela Armour
“We decided to enter the Innovation Award after hearing about success stories from previous winners in Northern Ireland. As a smaller, younger company, we found it an invaluable platform to raise awareness of our product and mission.
Winning the award has helped us engage with end users, leading to an increase in purchase orders from contacts we made at the Security & Policing event. We also enjoyed a boost in visibility, and the positive reception at the start of the event was particularly memorable.
Beyond winning, we also gained recognition through other accolades, including second place in the Tech Stars awards, 16th on the Start Up 100 list, and third on the ‘One to Watch’ list. We were also honoured with the Catalyst Invent Award and the Young Business Personality award at the Business Eye Awards in 2024.
I highly recommend entering in 2025, even if you don’t win. The opportunity to present at Security & Policing is a fantastic way to showcase your achievements to a wider audience.”
Previous winners: Sesanti
“We decided to enter the Innovation Award to highlight our breakthrough technology that significantly improved low-light camera performance. We wanted the industry to see the level of innovation we had reached.
The ADS Innovation Award came to us in the same year as the King’s Award for Enterprise – Innovation. These awards have raised our profile and helped us secure sales in new territories, and with new customers.
A truly standout moment was to see visitors on the stand from the higher echelons of government, academia and industry – people who sought us out to congratulate us for our success and learn a little more of what else we do.
If you’re considering submitting an entry in 2025, I say go for it! If you truly have an innovative solution, this is a great chance to showcase it to those who will benefit from it most.”
Interested in attending Security & Policing 2025?
Hosted by the Home Office’s Joint Security & Resilience Centre (JSaRC), Security & Policing offers a world‐class opportunity to meet, network and discuss the latest advances in delivering national security and resilience with UK suppliers, UK and international Government officials and senior decision makers. You can apply for a free visitor pass or if you would like to discuss exhibiting options or sponsorships, please contact Danielle Smith.
