A company that aims to transform information and communications technology (ICT) around the world has been named Britain’s most innovative small business.

Extreme Low Energy has won the national Most Innovative Small Business category in the GREAT Faces of British Business competition. The Business is GREAT Britain campaign, in association with BT Business, seeks to unearth the most innovative and exciting UK businesses.

Merseyside-based Extreme Low Energy impressed both the national judging panel and the public, with a high number of online votes cast in its favour. Winners were selected by a combination of the public vote and national judges’ scores.

Extreme Low Energy is a UK manufacturer of patent pending, low energy and low carbon ICT infrastructure, offering a range of unique and innovative solutions which allow customers to operate partially or fully off grid.

The company, which was founded in 2014 by Mark Buchanan and Peter Collin, is already working with a number of schools, colleges and universities in the UK and expects to sign its first contract in Africa in the next month.

Judges described it as ‘a breakthrough idea that will transform the world’s sustainability and for having the potential to transform the quality of life for people in developing countries and remote regions of the world’.

Mark Buchanan, Director of Formby-headquartered Extreme Low Energy, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been crowned a national winner of the GREAT Faces of British Business competition. Winning this award truly sets us apart from the competition in our field, and we hope we will inspire other small businesses everywhere”.

In developed markets we aim to change the way ICT is powered and provisioned and in emerging and developing markets we will seek to offer off-grid ICT as and where it is most needed. In everything we aim to do we will make progress and sustainability our key drivers”.

“Our technologies save energy, save money and mitigate carbon emissions and related tax burdens”.

In addition to their award, Extreme Low Energy receives an iPad Air and complimentary unlimited BT Wi-Fi for 12 months.

The company will also receive a package of export support from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). UKTI works with UK businesses to help them succeed in international markets and supports the Business is GREAT Britain campaign, with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS).

Business Minister Matthew Hancock said: “We’re backing the entrepreneurs and the innovators who run the small firms driving our economic recovery. The GREAT Faces of British Business competition is all about celebrating their successes”.

“Following the public vote, Extreme Low Energy in the North West has been named Britain’s most innovative small business. They are an inspiration to other businesses across the country looking to innovate, and are the living proof that there has never been a better time to start and grow a business in the UK”.

Steve Rathborne, Director of Sales, BT Business said: “BT Business wants to help and support small businesses to succeed. Great Britain has a pedigree of producing innovative and successful businesses and leaders, and the national winners that have been selected accurately reflect the quality of British business and its excellence across industries”.

The Business is GREAT Britain campaign aims to celebrate and inspire small businesses and is run by BIS and UKTI. It provides relevant advice and information for small and medium sized enterprises looking to grow, hire, export, lead and access finance. There is a single place for all businesses to go for help: www.greatbusiness.gov.uk.