Rolf Groenewold, of KeyHIPS, which supplies estate agents with Home Information Packs and other services, said the awards had given the company credibility in a competitive market.

"A lot of our competitors are big multi-nationals and getting credibility has been important for us, entering the market for the first time. It means that people are willing to talk to us and see what we have to offer."

Business partner Thomas Claridge said that as a new company they had an advantage over larger firms, which had found it difficult to adapt during the recession.

Since winning the Business Link New Business Award category last year, the company has expanded to new premises in Hinksey Business Centre, and has more than 20 full-time staff, plus several hundred consultants. They are predicting a £6.5m turnover this year.

KeyHIPS was set up in September 2007 by Mr Groenewold, Mr Claridge and Tim Wright, who had met as children growing up in Botley, and decided to start the venture after leaving university.

Mr Groenewold added: “Speaking to the judges for the awards, we quickly realised our youth within a volume market allowed management vision into technology and software which is ground breaking.

He added: “The property market today has changed so much and at such a fast rate it is no shock to see that older companies with a traditional view are struggling.”