A COMPANY steering towards success in the car industry has won a business award.
Mako Innovations Ltd was named winner of the Capella Award at a ceremony in Huddersfield.
Company directors Micah Bagworth and Phil Mundy received a certificate and £2,000 from Kirklees Mayor Clr Mary Harkin.
Suga Brown Creative Ltd and Design Odyssey Ltd were runners-up and received £500 and £250 respectively.
Design Odyssey also won a "People's Award" of £500 voted for by 150 guests at the event held at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top.
Mako Innovations Ltd, based at the Creative Lofts, Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, was recognised for developing computer software that allows car dealers to show customers how vehicles will look in different colours and with customised accessories, such as fog lamps and wheel trim.
Mr Bagworth and Mr Mundy, who both graduated from Huddersfield University, are negotiating with several carmakers to install their system in showrooms.
Design Odyssey, based at Moldgreen, impressed judges with its innovative Vertebrae system to provide bathroom facilities in a small space. Huddersfield University graduate Paul Hernon devised the "stack-and-swivel" system which provides the toilet, basin, shower and storage units in a central column. Mr Hernon hopes to interest developers of city centre apartments in his idea.
Community dance and drama company Suga Brown Creative Ltd, based at the Media Centre, Northumberland Street, was recognised for its work running theatre workshops and creative writing courses in deprived areas.
The company is run as a social enterprise by Deborah Brown, who worked in the voluntary sector with young people for many years.
The three companies were selected from 12 monthly winners of the Rising Star Awards run by Huddersfield University's Business Generator. The Generator provides facilities at the Media Centre for start-up creative businesses.
The finalists each gave a 20-minute presentation to a panel of judges chaired by John Thompson, professor of entrepreneurship at Huddersfield University.
