Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2020 list launched
The definitive list of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2020 was launched yesterday by equality and inclusion charity Diversity UK. Marking its sixth anniversary, the list celebrates diversity by highlighting the ground-breaking business models, apps, platforms, funding and support networks being created by Asian digital entrepreneurs in Britain.
80% of shortlisted nominees are new to the list
Lopa Patel MBE, list curator and Chair of Diversity UK said: “It has been the most difficult year in all of our lives, so I am delighted that the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list has marked its sixth anniversary with a stellar list of nominees with more than 80% being new to the shortlist. Asian women are also well represented at 37%, although we do have much to do on regional representation from across the UK. This year, we were pleased to honour twenty amazing Asian Tech Pioneers who have been selected by a judging panel of their peers, who themselves were inducted as pioneers last year.
The list has matured over the past few years; deeptech and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to be a star sectors in Britain, but we also have to note the emergence of successful, robust healthtech and wellbeing platforms and the renewed efforts of EdTech platforms to reach more online learners than ever before.”
The Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list focuses has been on disruptive technologies and showcases the top five Asians in the UK involved in business, healthtech, investors, startups and sustainability, as chosen by the judges. “Due to pandemic, we reintroduced the healthtech category as many founders and technologists are helping seek solutions, and were pleased to note that startup founders have shown their resilience in the face of great adversity,” added Lopa. “Obviously, none of this would have been possible without the help of my judges, whose expertise, skill, knowledge and accuracy were paramount in a year when we had more nominations than ever before. I owe them a big ‘thank you’”.
The judges selecting this year’s Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech were:
The Judging Panel 2020
In alphabetical order by surname.
- Ajay Chowdhury, Managing Director & Partner, BCG Digital Ventures
- Harry Rhys Davies, AI Programme Lead, Tech Nation
- Rajeeb Dey MBE, Founder & CEO, Learnerbly
- Volker Hirsch, Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners
- Bindi Karia, Innovation Expert + Adviser, & Venture Partner, Draper Esprit
- Rob McCargow, Director of AI, PwC UK
- Rohit Nanda, Founder, The Business Troubleshooter
- Lopa Patel MBE, Chair, Diversity UK [CHAIR OF PANEL]
- Neeta Patel CBE, CEO, Centre for Entrepreneurs
- Joanna Santinon, Tax Partner & Leader for Entrepreneur of the Year, EY
- Matt Smith, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurs
- Nick Travis, Head of Entrepreneurs, Smith & Williamson
Selection criteria makes for a very competitive list!
“Each year I get asked what the selection criteria are. Obviously being Asian isn’t enough! We do have eligibility criteria that we ask nominator’s to read before nominating and a stellar panel of judges look at impact, influence, expertise, deep knowledge and technical knowhow. It is a very competitive list, but we assess each nominee on their merit within the sector they operate in. The list isn’t ranked for that reason. After all, what criteria would be used for ranking a list of people who work in such different fields; from AI to sustainability and from EdTech to venture capital? It really is about celebrating 100 of the game changers and policy makers and showcasing the wealth of talent that is currently growing the British tech scene. So a huge congratulations to all the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2020.”
Click here to read the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2020 full list.
Click here to read about Asian Tech Pioneers 2020.
