A Suffolk company which aims to apply digital storytelling to the “Internet of Things” has been named winner of the second annual Innovation Martlesham Competition.

The contest is run by Innovation Martlesham, the technology cluster organisation for technology and digital firms based on and around BT’s Adastral Park, in association with Ipswich Borough Council, BT and University Campus Suffolk.

Chronicle Digital Storytelling, based at Playford, near Ipswich, adds a social and community dimension to the Internet of Things, the term for the trend of internet connectivity being applied to everyday objects so that they are able to send and receive data.

The company’s concept enables people to share stories using smart devices and link them to places, so that “trails” can be established to follow at events and destinations.

Co-Founder John Royle successfully pitched the business to a panel of judges including representatives from the four organising partners plus Ipswich Central and the New Wolsey Theatre.

Peter Lee, economic development operations manager at Ipswich Borough Council, said: “The social and emotional benefits resonated well with the panel. We look forward to working with John and the team at Chronicle to pilot and refine their business concept.”

Paul O’Brien, head of business modelling and operational transformation at BT, said: “It was a very difficult decision with some excellent submissions.

“In the end we went for the entry which most captured our imagination and took a fresh approach to tourism and the opportunities new emerging technologies can provide.”

Mohamed Abdel-Maguid, head of science and technology at UCS, added: “We look forward to working with the team at Chronicle to take this from concept to market.

Nicky Daniels, head of Innovation Martlesham. said the organisation was pleased to have been able run the competition with the council, BT and UCS for a second year.