Shortlist of 18 named for leading awards

The Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards is nearing its conclusion

The search for the most innovative organisations across the island of Ireland moved a step closer with the announcement of the shortlist of 18 organisations selected for The Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards, now in its fourth year.

The shortlist features 18 entries from innovators in start-ups, academia and established companies, from both North and South.

Creative Industries

Among the shortlisted firms in the Creative Industries category is Co Down-based Choc-o-Bloc, which has developed a new way of heating Belgian chocolate that makes it soft and mouldable without melting, allowing people to build chocolate models as edible gifts or treats; vStream, a Dublin-based digital marketing and software development firm that organised an enormously popular “5D” Christmas event for the world’s largest shopping centre chain; and the University of Ulster, which has created a fire-blast protection system with 12 times more ductility than its closest competitor.

Agri-Food

In the Agri-Food category, the shortlisted companies are Goatsbridge Trout Farm, a Kilkenny-based firm that produces farm-fresh Irish rainbow trout fillets and trout caviar; and Co Offaly-based organic yogurt maker Glenisk, which has developed a successful range of unsweetened yogurts with particular focus on the baby and children’s markets. In addition there is Mash Direct Ltd, a Co Down-based company that has developed a range of healthy quick-serve vegetable meals.

Life Sciences

In the Life Sciences category, APICA Cardiovascular, a Galway-based medical devices firm, has developed a cost-effective and successful treatment for the most common heart valve disease. It is joined by Innopharma Labs, a Dublin-based provider of technology and education solutions to the pharmaceutical development and manufacturing industry, which has created a 3D particle characteriser which monitors powders as they bind together and claims to save tablet-producing firms more than €1 million a year. In addition there is Horseware Products, a Dundalk-based equestrian business that has developed Ice-Vibe boots: rechargeable vibrating boots that boost circulation in horses’ legs.

Business Services

In the Business Services category the shortlist features Sonru.com, a Wexford-based firm that provides remote-video services, which has created an automated video interview process now in use by the likes of Volvo, Nestlé, Qatar Airways and Cern, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics and home to Higgs boson research.

Another finalist is Nightline, a same-day delivery and courier services firm based in Dublin, which launched its Parcel Motel terminals last summer to reduce the cost of delivery for online shoppers.

In addition the shortlist features Tickets.ie, a Dublin-based independent provider of fully outsourced ticketing services, which has created an innovative satellite ticketing operation now in use by the GAA.

Green Tech

In the Green Tech category, the finalists are Trustwater, a Co Tipperary-based manufacturer of alternative cleaning and disinfection technologies, has developed a system for bottling plants that dramatically reduces energy and water use; Glen Dimplex, the Louth-based designer and manufacturer of heating products, with its new thermal energy storage system that can cut energy costs by 25 per cent; and Climote, a Dundalk-based company which has developed a home heating system that lets homeowners manage and control their heating remotely via web or phone app from anywhere in the world.

Social Innovation

In the Social Innovation category, SilverCloud Health, a web-based company based in Dublin provides virtual therapy services, has developed a new e-therapy platform now in use by insurers in the US and dramatically cuts both the costs and time of therapy; Antrim-based Fast Engineering Ltd, which has developed a new folding tap stand for disaster zones and emergency response that is a fraction of the cost of existing ones and can be set up by one person in less than one minute without tools; and Clubs to Hire, an online provider of golf club rentals, which has recorded impressive international success since its launch in 24 months.

Aidan Gough, strategy and policy director, InterTradeIreland, said: “The Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards aim to recognise and promote the best innovations within organisations of all sectors and all sizes from across the island of Ireland. This year, once again, the calibre of entries was exemplary, showcasing the creativity and innovation of Irish enterprises.

“Business innovation does not have to come from established or large or successful organisations. Innovation is something new, something undiscovered, something still not tried in the business world. It is something that can turn ideas into manufacturable and marketable products or services. Every organisation, be it large or small, has the potential to innovate and these awards are a testament to the breadth and range of creativity and innovations from all types of companies, North and South.”

More than 300 initial registrations were received in this year’s awards. More than 140 detailed entries were judged by an initial panel of judges from the world of academia, media and business.

The 18 shortlisted entries will present their innovations before a separate panel of judges in Dublin. This second judging panel includes: Liam Kavanagh, managing director, The Irish Times; Thomas Hunter McGowan, CEO, InterTradeIreland; Dr Ivan Coulter, CEO and founder of biotech firm Sigmoid Pharma and previous winner; Dr David Dobbin, CBE, group chief executive, United Dairy Farmers; Helen Kirkpatrick, non-executive director with UTV Media plc and Kingspan Group plc and corporate finance executive with Invest Northern Ireland; and Chris Horn, co-founder of Iona Technologies.

Each category winner will secure a €10,000 Irish Times media deal and an iPad. They will then compete to win the overall title of Innovation of the Year, which awards the winner with a communications and advertising package from The Irish Times worth €150,000. In addition, a UCD scholarship for an executive education programme commencing in 2014, a state-of-the-art laptop and a consultancy package will also be provided. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 22nd at Titanic Quarter, Belfast.

See irishtimes.com/innovation