A COMPANY which uses tracking technology to keep staff safe in hazardous areas has won this year's Innovation Showcase.

Rotherham-based S3-ID won the prize package of business support worth £13,000 in Venturefest's annual competition, which is organised by SCY in bid to find Yorkshire's most innovative firm by inviting them to demonstrate how they are pushing the boundaries in their field.

S3-ID was among ten Yorkshire companies who took part in the competition.

An honourable second place mention was given to York time and attendance software firm, Mitrefinch.

SCY chief executive, and Innovation Showcase judge Nicola Spence, said: “We were delighted by the range of applications we received from industries as varied as food and drink, pharmaceuticals, IT, digital and product design, but the standout company for us was S3-ID.

"S3ID have highly innovative patented technology, which allows up to 2000 personnel to be tracked in hazardous areas over a very long range.

"Currently developed for the petrochemical industries, the technology has much broader global applications.”

Alongside the business competitions and exhibitions at Venturefest, delegates heard from a packed line up of guest speakers.

The keynote speaker was Rohit Talwar, a global strategy adviser who helps firms to survive, thrive, spot and manage emerging risks and develop innovative growth strategies in the decade ahead.

Mr Talwar is joined on the list of speakers by Julie Kenny, chairwoman and chief executive of security system manufacturer Pyronix Limited, as well as Lyndon Nicholson, Roger Stoker, Graham Leslie, Simon Hudson and Sophie Jewett.

This year's event has been hailed a success by organisers from York Professionals, who are already putting plans in place for 2015's event.

Organiser Chris Wilson said: "This year’s event has been a continuation of a very successful legacy that helps support and encourage entrepreneurship and enterprise in York and across Yorkshire.

This year we have got more technology, more digital appliances, and we have got a good set of delegates that have interacted well with what is on offer.

"For me the highlight has been seeing the sheer number of people that continue to walk across the threshold. It is great to see that all the hard work and efforts of the various volunteers and organisers has paid off."