The not-for-profit body representing IT interests in the south of the country is holding its IT Leaders Awards on Friday 20 October.
The awards ceremony sees six categories with three finalists in each along with the announcement of the top prize of Tech Persons of the Year. it@cork whittled down the 100+ applicants to its current 18 finalists.
it@cork Board Member and Chairman of its Skillnet Programme, John Drury, said: “The judging process never gets any easier. In fact, I would say that year on year it gets tougher as the quality of applicants gets better and the bar is raised even further.
“We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 18 companies that have been selected. They are in the running for the top prizes and to come this far is an achievement in itself and a testament to the work these companies are doing to further the IT industry in the region.
“With less than a week to go the excitement is mounting for our awards ceremony on October 20.”
The categories and finalists are:
Category 1: Smart Technology Innovation Award
- UCC & PlanNet21 (enabling Ireland’s Digital University)
- Dare Technology
- Solo Energy
Category 2: Technical Training Programme of the Year Award
- McKesson
- VMware (KickStart programme)
- McAfee
Category 3: Multinational of the Year Award
- Stryker
- Abtran
- Dell EMC
Category 4: The One to Watch Award
- Vconnecta
- Akari Software
- Cork Internet eXchange (CIX)
Category 5: Excellence in Education Award
- Scoil Niocláis National School
- Presentation Secondary School
- Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh
Category 6: Tech Start-Up of the Year Award
- Solo Energy
- StoryStock
- Twisted WristWear
Caroline O’Driscoll, Chairperson of it@cork, said: “Cork’s success in developing a world-renowned technological hub through both commerce and academia should be celebrated. At our Leaders Awards, we want to put the spotlight on Cork and show exactly what the sector has achieved and, most importantly, what is to come. We have the talent and without doubt the drive to succeed; based on recent growth we believe that Cork’s tech workforce could replicate that success again and double in the next 5-10 years.
“Our event in October will see leaders of Cork’s IT industry gather to celebrate the best and brightest of the region’s growing IT sector. The event will showcase the best companies, initiatives and individuals that are helping to make the IT sector in the Cork region one of the fastest-growing sectors in Ireland.”
The 11th instalment of the IT Leaders Awards takes place on Friday 20 October at Cork’s Maryborough Hotel and begins at 7pm.