Companies of all sizes, from Mayo and from every sector, have been invited to enter their innovative services or products in Innovation Awards 2016.
Now in their seventh year, the Innovation Awards showcase and reward excellence in innovation, across a wide spectrum. From life-saving drugs and new medical techniques to innovative garden centres, the past winners of The Irish Times Innovation Awards have come from a wide and varied range of sectors. Last year Mayo firm PanelDuct, which is based in Ballinrobe, won the overall Innovation of the Year Award at the awards ceremony in Belfast.
This year there are eight categories covering: agri-food; creative industries and design; energy and the environment; fintech; IT and Telco; life science and healthcare; manufacturing; and new frontiers, which is for those who do not believe that their innovation falls into the other categories. Entry to the Awards is free.
Mike McAleer, the innovations editor of The Irish Times, said the launch marks the start of an island-wide search for the best innovations that Ireland has to offer in 2016. “Innovation will continue to rejuvenate our economic and social landscape and it is important to recognise and reward the contributions that the champions of innovation make, whether as individuals or organisations. We would strongly encourage all companies to avail of this opportunity to showcase their innovation and benefit from the exposure and recognition that comes with participation in this annual event.”
Entry should be based on an operational, service or product innovation. The closing date for entries is April 4, with the shortlisted firms chosen by a panel of judges and announced in early June. These innovators will then be invited to present their innovations to a final judging panel later in June. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.
