WITH the search for the county's top companies under way following the recent launch of the Hampshire Business Awards, the Daily Echo puts each of the three individual categories under the microscope.

This week the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, shines a spotlight on the county's brightest business talent.

It's not just about technology and scientific wizardry, previous winners have been more down to earth.

"Companies are not always aware just how innovative they are being," said Nick Page of Bond Pearce. "The word innovation' might conjure up images of research laboratories and high tech inventions, but we are also keen to hear from businesses which innovate in other ways, either through new methods of working, ways of tackling problems or exciting new services that are a first in their sector."

Last year's winner, Hippowaste, which developed the Hippobag, a flat-packed polypropylene bag which can be used as a cost effective alternative to hiring a skip, with the added bonus that 80 per cent of its contents are recycled.

Nick Page said: "This was a great example, with Hippowaste providing a truly innovative service in a highly competitive sector. As well as being a great idea, it also incorporated further innovation. The company adapted transport for collection, required a creative pitch to get buy-in' from retailers. It was very timely, coinciding with the current climate of heightened environmental awareness. It was a real innovator, which we have seen go from strength to strength since being a winner."

Winning the award propelled Hippowaste on to further success.

The company's marketing chief Lisa Fines, pictured with Nick Page, said: "There were a number of reasons why we decided to enter the Hampshire Business Awards. We recognise the powerful impact third party endorsement can have on a start-up, service-based businesses such as Hippowaste, particularly in terms of recognition for the concept and building credibility and awareness with customers, so this was a major factor behind our entry.

"Since winning, the surge of brand awareness generated has contributed in part to Hippowaste celebrating its 150,000th Hippobag collection, a national charity partnership with the Prince's Trust, and major business-to-business partners coming onboard. There's something really rather rewarding about being able to call the company you've worked so hard to get off the ground, an award-winning one."

For details of how to get your company involved in the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, the KPMG Company of the Year or the RBS International Trade Award log on to www.thisissouthampton.

co.uk and click the link to the Hampshire Business Awards, or call Julie Myhill at RBS on 023 8024 2161.