The Cambridge Wireless Discovering Start-Ups 2011 competition has named its five winners. Advanced Balance Systems, Blu-Wireless Technology, Mindings, Proxama and Qiqqa were selected from 20 start-ups invited to pitch their wireless technologies and business plans to 25 leading venture capitalists, angels and industry investors. Senior representatives from companies including Microsoft, RIM, Nokia, Qualcomm Ventures, Innovacom, Broadcom, Orange, O2 Telefonica and ARM were there to judge the finalists and provide expert advice.

Advanced Balance Systems has developed Walkasins, a wearable medical device that reduces the risk of falls in people with balance problems. Blu-Wireless is developing low-cost semiconductor wi-fi products. Mindings has developed an app that helps connect families and friends, through a digital photo-frame or similar device, that displays pictures, messages and reminders. Proxama is developing near-field communications and contactless technology for marketing and payment applications. The Qiqqa software, finally, helps researchers manage research materials.

The winners each receive a prize of £2,000, along with free business and consultancy services, and have the opportunity to present their new technologies and business visions to over 300 wireless industry delegates from at the 2012 Future of Wireless International Conference next June.