The attributes of a #OnetoWatch

With MedTech start-up: Kalium Diagnostics named #OneToWatch winner at this year’s Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards; it’s time to contemplate the next phase of the Cofinitive-sponsored campaign as they select the region’s Top 21 #OnetoWatch Companies, People and ‘Things’.

Since Easter, we have been creating lists of the most interesting up and coming companies. The Ones to Watch differ in many ways, not only because they’re a mix of people, companies and ‘things’, but they also vary in sector and scale, to name but two. What they have in common is the stuff of entrepreneurial dreams – a bright future.

So, with such diversity and ingenuity amongst our #OnetoWatch cohort, how will we be able to compare them? The long-lists are already gathering momentum, so it’s time to delve into the qualifying criteria, which decides who makes the cut to the long-list and in the New Year, the Award winning short-list.

These are the attributes that all our Ones to Watch must have.

Attributes of a #OnetoWatch

Innovation

How innovative is the approach vs a late market catch-up? How much of a step-change is it?

A defining feature of our Ones to Watch is their inventiveness. We’re looking for people, companies and ‘things’ that are progressing their industries and how things are done – tired of the status quo they’re leading the way to the next phase.

Challenge

Are they solving a real problem or just looking for one?

When ideas have to search for a challenge to solve, they’re not pioneers or leaders of their industry. It isn’t a case of the chicken or the egg, true Ones to Watch are working on real issues and solutions to fix them, and that’s what the #OnetoWatch is all about.

Influence

Do you think the approach will catch on or end here?

Addressing widely-felt issues is only impactful when the solutions are widely-known. Although the Ones to Watch may be small or relatively unknown at present, they’re expected to explode once they elevate and influence their industry.

How a #OnetoWatch candidate is integrating with other Cambridgeshire businesses will also be a factor. Are they supporting or enhancing another innovative endeavour in the region?

Viability

Will their impact stand the test of time? Is it sound?

The Ones to Watch aren’t just a flash in the pan; they’re long-term revolutionaries. Ones to Watch may change and develop over time, but they’re people, companies and ‘things’ that are definitely here to stay.

Any decision around the viability of a #OneToWatch will need to include a complimentary, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable model too. Measures of ‘success’ are numerous and interconnected.

Memorability

Does it get our ‘pants on fire’?

We wouldn’t be able to pick the Top 21 #OnetoWatch if they didn’t stand out of the crowd. You often hear us talk about the ‘pants on fire’ affect, a burning passion and drive to take action and see results now, not in the unforeseeable future. That’s what we’re looking for in our top Ones to watch.

Take a look at the long-lists on our dedicated web page.

The deadline for 2019 is now closed, but if you see a company, person or ‘thing’ tackling a real issue with innovation that will influence their industry, let us know at OnetoWatch@cofinitive.com or @Cofinitive #OnetoWatch, so we can give them the spotlight they deserve, and don’t forget to join the discussion at cofinitive.com/onetowatch