Spirit of invention

INNOVATION AWARDS:THE SHORTLIST for this year's Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation awards features 18 entries from established innovators, start-ups, public sector organisations and third-level spin-outs.

The finalists include ex-Stockbyte founder Jerry Kennelly's latest venture, Tweak.com, a new product for the dairy industry from entrepreneur John Concannon's JFC Manufacturing, a lingerie company from Barna, Co Galway, and a horticulturalist based in Co Wicklow.

In the research and development category, X-Bolt Orthopaedics has been shortlisted for a surgeon-invented bolt device for use in hip operations. The patented device is likened to a rawlplug bolt that expands to anchor within the bone, securing bone screws.

Wattics, a spin-out from the UCD Clarity Centre, has developed a new technology that monitors energy consumption of individual electrical appliances, with real-time data collated by a clip-on smart meter fitted to the electrical feed into a premises.

Cellix, founded by former Trinity postgraduates, has developed a range of microfluidic drug screening tools, used for example in the evaluation of platelet functions when dealing with thrombosis. Its new biochip is now being used internationally for investigating malaria, sickle cell disease and stem cell research.

In the greentech category, Cynar Ltd aims to create up to 200 plants internationally to convert end-of-life plastics into useable fuels, Wicklow-based Nemos Horticulture has developed a new bio-insecticide product called SuperNemos, which it claims is more efficient than a chemical spray, and Tyrone company Waste Systems has engineered two new products for the waste separating and recycling industry, dramatically reducing the manual intervention in separating out waste materials.

The organisational system and process category features Galway-based electronics firm Amatech for its new laser technology used in the production process of electronic payment cards, national ID cards and electronic passports. They are joined by Nubie.com, a website offering cloud-based software that guides anyone interested in starting a business through the nine-step programme to get up and running. It's already in use by 15 County Enterprise Boards with 2,000 start-ups registered since August 2010.

SeaChange is a Kildare-based firm that has developed a new system of managing on-site safety and reporting. It’s already in use by several leading firms and public sector bodies in an effort to improve safety and reduce costly accidents.

In the public sector category, Bord Bia is shortlisted for its development of a cost- effective system to calculate the carbon footprint of Irish beef farms in order to differentiate Irish beef from its competitors.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is shortlisted for its new online assessment tool that helps small businesses prepare both written risk assessments and safety standards for their workplaces, significantly reducing the amount of time and cost of meeting compliance levels in this area.

Mayo County Council’s Greenway project has created the first portion of the national cycle network, attracting 145,000 visitors to the route, creating a viable tourist amenity which it claims has contributed €7.2 million to the local economy so far and supported more than 90 jobs.

In the service sector, the three finalists are Safefood360, an online food safety management software solution; ThinkSmart Technologies from Cork, offering a system that translate customer flows, crowding and typical paths taken by customers for use as meaningful business information; and Tweak.com, an online design and print offering for businesses.

In the product category, attracting by far the largest number of entries, the three entries going forward are from Gabriel Scientific in Dublin, and two firms from Galway, JFC Manufacturing and Embrace Design Innovations.

Gabriel Scientific has developed a bacteriological filter used in hermetically sealed cushioning and applied in pillows for the medical and hospitality sector. The aim is to create a pillow that can help prevent the spread of infection between patients and guests. It has already been purchased by several hospitals and is now being distributed internationally.

JFC Manufacturing has created a new style of cubicle for dairy cows that not only reduces stress to the animal, but also claims to increase milk yields and ultimately lead to increased farm profitability.

Finally, Embrace Design Innovations from Barna, Co Galway, has developed a new form of bra support for use in lingerie, swimming and sportswear. It claims the new design allows for greater freedom of movement than current products on the market.

More than 430 initial registrations were received for this year’s competition, with 155 applications making it to the preliminary round. Of these, 128 detailed entries were judged by an initial panel comprising Prof Frank Roche, director of UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School, Ruth Freeman, director of enterprise and international affairs at Science Foundation Ireland, Colin Ryan, senior manager at Accenture Ireland, Aidan Gough, strategy and policy director at InterTradeIreland, and this correspondent.

The final round of judging with presentations from each shortlisted firm takes place on Wednesday, February 8th. The judges for this round are Chris Horn, founder of Iona Technologies; Barry Maloney of Balderton Capital; Ivan Coulter, founder of Sigmoid Pharma; Louise Phelan, vice president of Paypal; Liam Nagle, group chief executive of Sisk; Liam Nellis, chief executive of InterTradeIreland; and Liam Kavanagh, managing director of The Irish Times. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin on Tuesday, February 28th.