Two Birmingham technology companies have been awarded the top two places in the UK round of the Talent Unleashed Awards 2014.

Jude Ower founded Playmob which enables companies to raise money for charities by helping them create 'in-game giving' in their video games.

She has been named the overall UK winner of the national award whose prize includes a visit to Sir Richard Branson's Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa where she will spend five days learning about business innovation along with fellow winners.

In second place, was Nick Holzherr, founder and chief executive of Whisk, and a former contestant on BBC show The Apprentice.

Whisk is an online food app which has already been adopted by some of the UK's leading national retailers and Mr Holzherr won £5,000 in recruitment fees from Talent International.

He said: "It's great to be picked out from a list of people who have all achieved brilliant things.

"With further investment into the company, international expansion and new partnerships, it's a hugely important time for Whisk.com."

Both businesses, which are based at Birmingham Science Park Aston, have received investment and support through Midven's Early Advantage Fund.

Investment director Steven Greenall said: "It's great news for Playmob, Whisk and Midven.

"This is not just about financial investment - this is as much about the people as it is finance and technology - and these two winners are well deserving."

The Talent Unleashed Awards, run in association with WIRED, celebrates individuals who have used technology in a creative or entrepreneurial way to transform business or the social landscape.