Toy innovation company, Wow! Stuff, has been awarded the ‘Most Innovative Company’ at the prestigious UKSPA Awards, held at the UKSPA40 Anniversary Conference on 17 October 2024.
The award places Wow! Stuff – the only toy company recognised in the UKSPA Awards – among a select group of innovators from various industries in the UK, making the win even more significant.
The UK Science Park Association (UKSPA) promotes the growth of science parks, technology incubators and innovation centres which are essential at driving economic development. Wow! Stuff, which has been located at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park for nearly 15 years, has played an integral role in this ecosystem, consistently showcasing creativity and technological advancement within the toy industry. By hiring and mentoring graduates from the University of Wolverhampton, the company has also strengthened local talent development.
A major contributor to Wow! Stuff’s success has been the introduction of ‘Puppetronics’, a new category in toys combining puppetry with animatronics.
“Science parks are engines of growth for economies, and companies like Wow! Stuff are the life blood of these parks,” commented Nigel Babb, commercial director at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park. “Winning the Most Innovative Company Award highlights Wolverhampton’s potential to lead in digital innovation and creative industries, attracting investment and talent to the region.”
Dawn Lavalette, md, svp at Wow! Stuff, continued: “Our talented product team at Wow! Stuff, located at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park, is made up of dedicated scientists and engineers committed to developing innovative toys that inspire awe in children of all ages. Last week, we were honoured to be recognised as the most innovative company among 140 science parks, with our cfo Ewan Gibb accepting the award.
“A big thank you to Nigel Babb, Liz Taylor, and the Wolverhampton Science Park for your unwavering support. Here’s to many more exciting developments ahead.”
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