DataWind has won the Smart UK Project award from UK government for nation's 'Most Innovative Mobile Company', beating competition from the other three finalists-Blippar, P2i and QRpedia. The competition, run by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), began its search for UK's most innovative mobile company in November 2011. The winner was announced at Mobile World Congress at Barcelona this week.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is a government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy.

DataWind has developed and manufactured the $35 Android powered Aakash tablet.

Montreal based Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of DataWind said, "We are honoured to be recognised; it is a great validation of our vision and I hope this will help create greater impetus for UK innovation."

Russell Buckley, one of the Smart UK Project judges, said, "We were very impressed by the quality of all the finalists. It was a tough decision but we are very pleased that DataWind has won the Smart UK Project 2012. There is a global potential and the will to transform lives and society, all using the resources of a British company."

DataWind, has also been named among world's Top 50 Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company.

Aakash, an Android device with a 7-inch touchscreen, 3-hour battery life, and 32 GB of storage is available starting at $35 for students.

The Indian government plans to purchase and give away 100,000 units in the first run to schoolchildren and hopes to purchase 50 lakh tablets this year.