A PREVIOUS Press Business Awards winner is back two years later after growing its overseas market to more than 120 countries and continuing its product development.

Audio visual specialist Damson took the Technology Business of the Year title in 2015 after impressing judges with its bone conducting headphones.

Now the Clifton Moor-based technology developer is hoping to repeat its success, this time in the Export of the Year, and Business Innovation of the Year categories.

Damson has reported vast overseas growth, in part due to the global popularity of its Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, which it has found a niche for in the education sector. and is expanding into other sectors.

James Talbot, chief executive of Damson, said: “At Damson, through the development of our All in One VR headset we have managed to unlock new markets across the US and Australasia, including securing an order to supply all Catholic schools across Australia with our VR headset.

“ This is an exciting opportunity that has allowed the company to expand, resulting in ever expanding opportunities on a global scale while at the same time offering education facilities a great reduction in the accessibility, usability and cost of introducing Virtual Reality into the education curriculum.

“As of today we are currently engaged in negotiations to facilitate the Australian Education Department to integrate the Damson Global VR Headset into the school curriculum nationally.

“The initial opportunity from the Australian Education department has already yield smaller orders from Australian health departments and large mining companies.

“We have also received orders from as far as South Korea and Bolivia.”

Alongside exporting its products, which also include the Cisor speaker and Headspace headphones, Damson has been developing new technology in partnership with Dolby Laboratories, which it is putting forward for the Business Innovation title.

The S-Series Wireless Surround Sound System has been four years in development, leading to a patent pending product featuring proprietary software developed and engineered in York.

Damson secured a unique partnership with Dolby Laboratories in developing their first totally wireless sound system, and have agreed to jointly launch the product later this year, with deliveries in time for Christmas.

Mr Talbot said: “The system allows the user to acquire either a full system immediately, or upgrade as they prefer over time with it’s unique modular plug and play innovation

“It’s final configuration delivers an amazing - and truly unique - wireless experience with the introduction of Dolby’s latest technology - Dolby Atmos.

“The partnership ensured Damson had direct exclusive access to Dolby’s engineering team ensuring that the project has been delivered to the highest audio standards. In return, Damson has achieved it’s goal of ensuring the S-Series system will cost no more than £650, a key target in ensuring maximum demand in the home theatre market.”