SEP portfolio companies have picked up a clutch of prestigious industry awards in recognition of their achievements in developing pioneering technologies.

The victors include wireless specialist picoChip which picked up a hat-trick of awards at the Elektra European Electronics Industry Awards in the categories of Design Application of the Year, Fabless Semiconductor Company of the Year, and Company of the Year. It was also named as a ‘Red Herring 100 Global Award Winner’, in a contest to find the 100 most promising technology companies in the world.

A string of awards also went to ip.access, a leader in femtocell and picocell technologies, including a ‘Best Technology Foresight’ award at the ‘World Communication Awards’ for its Oyster 3G™ femtocell product which dramatically increases 3G cell capacity and coverage in the home. The breakthrough product also won an award at the Global Mobile Congress and a ‘Leading Light Award’ in the category of ‘Best New Product From A Private Company.’

Portfolio companies including Cambridge Semiconductor, PicoChip and ip.acccess have been shortlisted for awards by the Innovation and Growth Forum, appearing in several categories including ‘Hottest UK Technology Prospect of the Year’ and ‘UK Spinout of the Year.’

SEP, which was named ‘Venture Capital House of the Year’ in the Unquote Private Equity Awards in 2007, has also been short listed for several other awards.