Tag: #awards

James Dyson Award 2025 seeks groundbreaking inventions from young engineers and scientists

The James Dyson Award, an international student design and engineering competition, opens for submissions today to its 2025 programme in 28 countries and regions. From everyday challenges to the world’s most pressing issues, the Award calls for current or recent students to submit problem-solving ideas that could make a real difference to people’s lives.

Since it was established in 2005, the James Dyson Award has supported more than 400 student inventions with €1m in prize money and a global platform. Those who progress to the final stages and are selected by James Dyson as the global winners will claim a prize of €36,000 and a chance to gain international media exposure, providing a springboard to commercialise their inventions.

Previous winners include mOm incubators, a low-cost, inflatable incubator to provide flexibility to caring for newborns in less developed areas. Invented by James Roberts, Product Design & Technology graduate from Loughborough University in the UK, mOm has gone on to support over 10,000 patients, and continues to expand its operations worldwide, including in conflict areas such as Ukraine. This year, James received an MBE for his services to engineering and entrepreneurship with mOm.

SoaPen, a previous runner-up in the US, continues to transform hand hygiene education. Invented by Parsons School of Design graduates Shubham Issar and Amanat Anand, SoaPen is a colourful pen made from soap, to teach young children handwashing in a fun way. After receiving recognition from the James Dyson Award, the team launched SoaPen in the US in 2018, and continues to pursue its mission to make hand hygiene fun and accessible, worldwide.

Sir James Dyson, Founder of Dyson, said: “I started the James Dyson Award 20 years ago with the mission to inspire and support the next generation of design engineers. The brilliant ideas we’ve seen since then prove that young people are passionate about providing solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, using design, engineering and technology – in medicine, the environment and much more. I look forward to discovering what inventions will be put forward this year – good luck!”

The deadline to apply is midnight on 16th July 2025. Shortlisted entries in each participating country or region will then be evaluated by national judging panels with expertise across design and engineering, based on functionality, design process, differentiation, and commercial viability.

The National Winners, selected by these judging panels and each winning a €6,000 prize, will be announced on 10th September, the Global Top 20 Shortlist, selected by Dyson Engineers, on 15th October, and the Global Winners, selected by James Dyson, on 5th November.

The Spider Awards 2025 Shortlist Announced Ahead of March Gala Event

The Spider Awards, Ireland’s longest-running and most prestigious digital awards ceremony, is delighted to unveil the shortlist for its 28th annual event. Taking place on Friday, 21st March 2025, the ceremony will once again bring together the brightest minds in Ireland’s digital landscape.
Held in the iconic Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin 2, this black-tie gala dinner promises to be an unforgettable evening, with approximately 500 attendees celebrating excellence in the digital industry.
Established in 1996, the Spider Awards are dedicated to recognising companies and individuals who are driving innovation and setting new standards in digital transformation. As the longest-running digital awards programme in Ireland, they remain a cornerstone for showcasing the achievements of the nation’s digital pioneers.
This year’s Spider Awards saw a remarkable surge in entries, reflecting the innovation and creativity thriving within Ireland’s digital sector. Leading agencies Granite and Kooba have secured multiple shortlist spots, with Granite earning an impressive nine nominations and Kooba securing five.
Categories such as Best in Social Media and Best Influencer-Led Campaign attracted record-breaking submissions, reaffirming the growing influence of social and influencer-driven marketing. Meanwhile, Best in E-Commerce experienced a significant increase in entries, highlighting the continued evolution of digital retail. Additionally, the introduction of the AI-Powered Marketing Excellence Award has been met with an outstanding calibre of entries, showcasing how brands and agencies are leveraging artificial intelligence to drive smarter, more effective marketing strategies.
This year introduces an exciting new award: the AI-Powered Marketing Excellence Award, highlighting the innovative use of artificial intelligence in marketing strategies. Additionally, categories such as Best in Social Media and Best Integrated Media Campaign have drawn record-breaking numbers of entries, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity flourishing in Ireland’s digital sector.
Below please find the full shortlist for the Spider Awards 2025
AI-Powered Marketing Excellence Award
  • AI Institute – AI Institute: Redefining Marketing Through Use of AI
  • NolaClan Group – Help to get Dawson Home for Christmas
  • Zesty  – Ashgrove Furnishings
Best App Award
  • Folk VML – Circle K Extra
  • Musgrave – SuperValu – SuperValu Best App
  • Musgrave MarketPlace – Musgrave MarketPlace
  • Sugar Rush – Sugar Rush X Barista Bar
Best Brand Award
  • Barista Bar – Henderson Foodservice Ltd – Coffee As It Should Be: Brewing Community, Loyalty, and Growth
  • GRANITE – NDC – Redefining Dairy for the Younger Generation
  • Guaranteed Irish – The Guarantee of Guaranteed Irish
  • JOE Media Group – Gay Star News
  • JOE Media Group – JOE
  • Platform94 – Platform94
  • RedClick – RedClick Brand Launch – Insurance that just clicks!
Best Collaboration Award
  • BWG Foods – EUROSPAR proud sponsors of Junk Kouture
  • Gibney Communications – ‘Solidarity’ from Dublin Port Company and The Little Museum of Dublin
  • HeadStuff – 26 Minutes
  • JOE Media Group – Square Lovin Locals 2024
  • Kooba – Bord Bia Gather Event Site – Digital Collaboration
  • Londis – Peak Performance: Londis’s Ultimate Team Collaboration
  • The Brill Building – Filter Out Lung Cancer: The AR Lens To Save A Life
  • Virgin Media – Virgin Media X Balls Media – Best for Irish Gamers
Best Consumer Campaign Award
  • Folk VML – Circle K Extra
  • Forsman & Bodenfors Dublin – Keep Discovering Car-Free, Carefree Travel
  • GRANITE – Aodhán – The dragon that can’t breathe fire
  • KASH Beauty – KASH Beauty AURA Skin Campaign
  • Mason Hayes & Curran – Transforming Talent for Enhanced Client Service
  • MXB Agency – Student Fresher’s Event Night at Musgrave MarketPlace Belfast
  • Sweartaker – Applegreen 24/7 Deal or More Deals Birthday Livestream
  • The Very Group – Let’s Make it Sparkle
Best in Storytelling Award
  • GRANITE – Who did this? – The print partner that makes you look good
  • Inspiring Belfast – Inspiring Belfast Campaign
  • Lorg Media – Fleadh Cheoil 2024
  • Ogilvy Ireland – We’re Fibre First
  • RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences – RCSI Student Life
  • StoryLab – Signify Health: Building a strong and diverse workforce
  • TITAN Experience – Flogas ‘The Energy Behind Team Ireland’
  • University of Limerick – Little Gifts, Big Dreams – A University of Limerick Christmas Story
  • Vroom Digital – The Love Story Before ‘Love Story’: EPIC’s Tale of Heritage and Legacy
Best in E-Commerce Award
  • FOXFORD – www.foxford.com
  • Friday Agency – Peter Mark – Transforming an iconic Irish brand
  • Glaze Digital – BLK BOX | Glaze Digital
  • Irish Life Health – Making it easier for first-time health insurance buyers to find the right plan online
  • Musgrave – SuperValu – SuperValu Best in E-Commerce
  • Square1 Software Ltd – Event Registration and Payments for Clubs & Organisations
  • Total  Digital – Digital Transformation in E-commerce
Best in Social Media Award
  • Aer Lingus – Post Industrial Relations Strategy
  • Core Optimisation – The Elephant in the Living Room – Core Optimisation & Elephant Living
  • Forsman & Bodenfors Dublin – Keep Discovering Car-Free, Carefree Travel
  • Genesis – Rewards+ App Launch
  • GRANITE – Supermac’s TikTok – Creating 100% Fresh Content
  • Javelin – Toyota Make a Move Campaign
  • Verve – Best Coke Ever Coca-Cola Zero
  • Wilson Hartnell – L’O.Opportunité
Best in Universal Design Award
  • All human – Waterways Ireland: Ensuring everyone can enjoy all of Ireland
  • Annertech – LocalGov.ie
  • Aviva – Redesign & Improve Customer Online Journeys
  • Kooba – SETU Website
  • Path Strategic Design Ltd. – Culture Date with Dublin 8 website
  • Path  Strategic Design Ltd. – Dublin City Arts Office website
Best Influencer Led Campaign Award
  • BWG Foods – SPAR Range Influencers Are Closer Than You Think!
  • GRANITE – NDC & Garry Ringrose
  • MXB Agency – Student Fresher’s Event Night at Musgrave MarketPlace Belfast
  • Oxfam Ireland – Second Hand September 2024
  • Pluto – Jog In July Challenge
  • Publicis – Electric Ireland Influencer Acquisition
  • Sweartaker – Jameson Ginger + Lime – The Serve Of The Summer
  • The Very Group – Carol Byrne x Very
  • Wilson Hartnell – L’O.Opportunité
Best Integrated Media Campaign Award
  • BWG Foods – SPAR Rome Comforts
  • Core – An Post – The Value of Sending Love Each Christmas
  • Digital+ – CountryLife Bloom Campaign
  • JOE Media Group – Lovin Local X Square
  • Londis – One Voice, Many Channels: Londis Proud Sponsors of Ireland’s Fittest Family
  • MACE – MACE Going the Extra Smile
  • MXB Agency – Good Food, Locally Sourced
  • RedClick – RedClick, Insurance that just clicks!
  • Sweartaker – Applegreen 24/7 Deal or More Deals Birthday Livestream
Best Use of Disruptive Technology Award
  • GRANITE – Supermac’s Jersey Scanner
  • Javelin – Own The Adventure With YUKO
  • Javelin – Toyota – Make the Move
  • Tapybl – SLIIT – The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology
  • The Brill Building – Filter Out Lung Cancer: The AR Lens To Save A Life
  • Virgin  Media IE – Mining Data to Humanise Search
Best UX & Customer Experience Award
  • Arekibo Communications – Mater Private Digital Transformation – Patient First Experience
  • Arekibo Communications – Online Move-out
  • Aviva – Seamless, user-friendly customer online experience
  • Communicraft – Militaryarchives.ie
  • GRANITE – Safe Events Global X GRANITE
  • Musgrave MarketPlace – Musgrave MarketPlace
  • Vodafone Ireland – Redefining Digital Excellence: User-Centric, Inclusive, and Impactful Journeys
  • Zesty – Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Best Website – Large Company Award
  • Aviva – Aviva.ie
  • Codec – New Website for Codec by Squaredot B2B
  • GRANITE – The Gibson Hotel X GRANITE
  • Ibec – Ibec
  • IMS Marketing – A New Era of Global Talent
  • Kooba – SETU Website Project
  • Musgrave – SuperValu – SuperValu Best Website – Large Company
  • Zesty – The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF)
Best Website – SME Award
  • Communicraft – Militaryarchives.ie
  • Friday Agency – Fire – Trusted Integrated Payments
  • Friday Agency – Helping our customers make their customers happy
  • Kooba – GH Research Branding & Website Project
  • Square1 Software Ltd – Event Registration & Payments for Clubs & Organisations
  • Together Digital – Dillon Eustace Website
  • Together Digital – Digital Learning Institute Website
  • Transpoco – Transpoco
  • Webbiz – Delphi Resorts – Website Refresh
Cultural Driver Award
  • Core Optimisation – Fáilte Ireland’s Digital that Delivers Programme
  • Edelman – SSE Airtricity: Uniting Football and Inclusivity
  • Inspiring Belfast – Inspiring Belfast Campaign
  • Lorg Media – Culture Night
  • TITAN Experience – Her Moves
  • BWG Foods – EUROSPAR Proud Sponsors of Junk Kouture
Digital for Good Award
  • Chime – National Charity For Deaf & Hard of Hearing People – ISL Accessible Website Launch
  • Core Optimisation – Digital that Delivers – Enhancing Digital Accessibility in Tourism
  • DCU Office of Student Life – The Pantry
  • FoodCloud – Foodiverse
  • Lucky Beard (on behalf of ISPCC Childline) – New Childline.ie Website
  • The B!G Idea – The B!G Idea
  • The Brill Building – Filter Out Lung Cancer: The AR Lens To Save A Life
  • TITAN Experience – Her Moves
  • Vodafone – Hi Digital
Digital Team of the Year Award
  • Aviva
  • Chadwicks
  • Core Optimisation
  • EY Ireland
  • Musgrave – SuperValu
  • RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • TITAN Experience
  • Virgin  Media Ireland
Large Agency of the Year Award
  • Arekibo Communications Limited
  • Each&Other
  • GRANITE
  • Kooba
  • StudioForty9
  • Strike Digital
  • Zesty
Small Agency of the Year Award
  • Avalanche Designs
  • Big+Bold
  • Communicraft
  • ICON Management
  • Social Media Elite
  • Squint Creative
  • StoryLab
  • Webbiz
Sustainability Impact Award
  • Alphabet Soup – Design and development of new sustainable website for CoisCéim
  • Global Action Plan – Funds Industry Climate Challenge
  • Path Strategic Design Ltd. – Business to Arts Website
  • Stride Design – Green Guardians with Power NI
Tracey Carney, Managing Director of The Spiders, expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s finalists: “Digital is moving faster than ever, pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities. The Spider Awards don’t just recognise excellence—they celebrate those driving innovation, creativity, and impact across the industry. I look forward to celebrating our winners in true retro style at our 1980s-themed awards this March, as we go back to a time before digital media—the 80s.”
Terry Spence, Director of B2B Sales at One4all, headline sponsor for The Spiders 2025, added: “At One4all, we understand the importance of innovation and creativity in the digital space. It’s inspiring to see so many individuals and organisations challenging the status quo and setting new benchmarks for excellence. We’re proud to support The Spider Awards, an event that celebrates these achievements and encourages continued innovation across Ireland’s digital landscape.”
The 28th Spider Awards will culminate in a spectacular black-tie gala dinner at the Round Room, The Mansion House, Dublin 2, on Friday, 21st March 2025. This prestigious event promises an evening of networking, celebration, and recognition of Ireland’s top digital talent.

Creative Shines at CES 2025: 7 ‘Best of CES’ Awards Earned!

Creative Technology is excited to announce that it has received seven prestigious ‘Best of CES 2025’ awards from leading media outlets. These awards recognise Creative’s commitment to providing high-quality, innovative audio products that offer unmatched value and exceptional audio performance.

Take a look at the awards:

  1. SoundGuys: Best of CES 2025: The Audio Gear That Matters – Celebrating the Aurvana Ace Mimi featuring xMEMS drivers and personalised sound powered by Mimi technology delivering great premium audio for the price.

  2. Gear Patrol: Best New Tech and Gadgets of CES 2025 – Praising the Aurvana Ace Mimi for offering a perfect balance of affordability, features, and impressive sound.

  3. TechRadar: 5 Best Headphones and Earbuds of CES 2025 – Highlighting the Aurvana Ace Mimi for its exceptional audio performance and unbeatable value.

  4. Rolling Stone: CES 2025: The 35+ Best Things We Saw – Spotlighting Aurvana Ace Mimi for delivering high-fidelity audio in a stylish and compact design.

  5. PCWorld: Best of CES 2025: The PC and Home Tech That Blew Us Away –Commending the Aurvana Ace Mimi for its remarkable clarity and punchy bass, especially for its price.

  6. Ecoustics: Best in Show CES 2025: Audio/Video Products That Impressed Us Most – Applauding the Pebble Nova for its impressive audio performance and sleek design. See our first look, review next week

  7. CGMagazine: Best of CES 2025 – Applauding the TGIF X Creative T0 Arena Desktop Theatre System for its innovative design with integrated rear speakers, elevating the desktop audio experience.

“We are incredibly honoured to receive these accolades from such respected voices in the tech world. These awards are a testament to the hard work and passion of our team at  Creative. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to deliver products

that not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Song Siow Hui, CEO of  Creative.

For more information about our award-winning products, visit their website at Creative.com

See our Creative reviews 

Winners Announced for the 2024 Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards

The Great Southern Hotel was abuzz with excitement and celebration tonight as the winners of the prestigious 2024 Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards were announced. The awards recognised outstanding achievements across the tech sector in the South West of Ireland, shining a spotlight on the innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders driving growth and innovation in the region.

This year’s winners represented the leadership and dynamism of the tech community, ranging from pioneering start-ups to established enterprises. The awards ceremony brought together business leaders, policymakers, and academic luminaries to celebrate the achievements of this vibrant sector.

Speaking at the event, Gerry Murphy, Chairperson of Tech Industry Alliance, said:
“Tonight, we celebrate the visionaries and changemakers shaping the future of the tech industry in the South West of Ireland. These awards are not just about recognising success; they’re about inspiring the entire community to push boundaries, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists—you are the driving force behind our region’s tech excellence.”

Sean Ryan, Board Member of Tech Industry Alliance, added:
“The calibre of entries this year was nothing short of exceptional, highlighting the remarkable talent and innovation that exists within our region. Each of our winners embodies the spirit of collaboration and ambition that defines the South West tech ecosystem. We’re incredibly proud to support their journey and look forward to seeing their continued success.”

The 2024 Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards Winners:

  • Tech Person of the Year Award: The McCarthy Family, Fexco
  • Tech Start Up of the Year Award: Stingray Labs
  • Scale Up of the Year Award: Green Rebel
  • Environmental Sustainability Award: Astellas Pharma Ireland
  • Multinational of the Year Award: ENERCON
  • Tech Industry Alliance Skillnet Best Learning Workplace Winner: Aspen Grove
  • Smart Technology Innovation Award: BioAtlantis
  • Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact Award: NetApp
  • Chairperson’s Award: Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation 
  • Excellence in Education Award: Coláiste Gleann Lí

 

The Tech Industry Alliance extends its gratitude to all sponsors, partners, and attendees who made this event a resounding success. Special thanks to the judging panels and to all those who joined in celebrating the achievements of the tech community.

For more information about the winners or to learn more about Tech Industry Alliance initiatives, see below or visit www.techindustryalliance.ie

 

Winner Smart Technology Innovation Award: BioAtlantis

BioAtlantis is a world leader in stress mitigation technologies. Extensive research and collaboration with leading research institutes worldwide has enabled the company to develop the AgriPrime Range. AgriPrime products nourish crops form soil to harvest, helping them cope with various stress and growth limiting factors, allowing them to reach their genetic potential.

Winner of the Tech Start Up of the Year Award: Stingray Labs

Stingray Labs is a technology startup developing products to streamline and digitise legal and financial services, meeting the needs and expectations of tech savvy customers. Stingray Labs route to market is through partnerships, working with existing legal and finance organisations to offer streamlined products to the market. 

Winner of the Excellence in Education Award: Colaiste Gleann Lí   

Coláiste Gleann Lí is a multicultural, multi-denominational, coeducational post primary school based in Tralee which operates under the patronage of Kerry ETB. Coláiste Gleann Lí is a school for all. Coláiste Gleann Lí believe in harnessing and nurturing technology in their approach to provide students with a rounded education.

Winner – Chairperson’s Community Award: Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation (Louise Quill)

Louise Quill began working in Tanzania in 2006. Whilst there she could see a great need for a facility that would provide a family unit for the orphaned and abandoned children of Tanzania. The Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation was created to alleviate the suffering of Tanzanian children and to provide a home where they would be nurtured in a loving, safe environment. The aim of Tír na nÓg is to educate these children according to their abilities.

The foundation believes in developing not only schools to create the leaders of tomorrow, but also long-term sustainable projects to provide employment for local people. The foundation has been established and operated from Tralee & Tanzania. Louise who lives and teaches in Kerry divides her time between both locations, striving to provide the conditions, training and resources needed to help children grow mentally, physically and spiritually in those values that assure a fruitful and happy future. 

Winner of the Tech Scale Up Award: Green Rebel

Green Rebel is a dynamic Irish company specialising in data delivery, analytics, and consultancy to support offshore renewable energy developments. Green Rebel was founded by environmental advocate and entrepreneur, Pearse Flynn, to provide an Irish based, complete offshore survey service, support offshore wind energy projects, and help Ireland achieve its climate objectives.

Winner of the Diversity, Inclusion & Social Impact Award:  NetApp

NetApp is the intelligent data infrastructure company, combining unified data storage, integrated data services, and CloudOps solutions. NetApp creates silo-free infrastructure, harnessing observability and AI to enable the industry’s best data management. 

Winner of the Best Learning Work Place Award:  Aspen Grove

Aspen Grove Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS) optimises workflow enabling automation, tracking, and managing of any process to enhance responsiveness and productivity while controlling costs and minimising risk. 

Winner of the Environmental Sustainability Award:  Astellas Ireland

Astellas Ireland (Kerry Plant) is a finished goods pharmaceutical facility based in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, and headquartered in Japan. The Kerry plant manufactures and packages lifesaving products for the global market including lifesaving immunosuppressants and biologic treatment for cancer patients.

Winner of the Multinational of the Year Award:  ENERCON

ENERCON is a pioneer of wind energy technology and a partner of the energy transition, that specialises in turbine and technology development, production, sales and servicing of onshore wind turbines. Pursuing its mission of ‘Energy for the world’, ENERCON has driven sustainable energy generation from onshore wind for over 40 years. 

Winner Tech Person of the Year Award : The McCarthy Family, Fexco

The McCarthy Family have contributed significantly to the development of the South West region not only in terms of economic development, employment creation but also in leading the way as a global Technology leader in their space. Their focus on technology – enabled innovation is underpinned by their collaboration with the Science Foundation of Ireland and UCC where they aim to discover and develop the next generation of Financial Services Technology. 

Their organisation, Fexco, from its beginnings in 1981, when it was the first to get a foreign exchange license as a non-bank in Ireland, when it established itself as the Foreign Exchange Company of Ireland it has grown from strength to strength winning many prestigious awards. It is a global leader in the payments and FX technology sector, providing its solutions and services globally with operations in over 50 countries and employing over 2,900 employees worldwide, yet it still remains a very strong family affair over its 4 decades of existence. 

Irish Creators TikTok Awards 2024

Irish nominees will travel to London, where the 2024 TikTok Awards will take place on Tuesday, 3 December. You can watch the whole London event on TikTok LIVE on the @TikTok_UK account.

The awards shortlist reflects the diverse range of creators thriving on and inspiring the TikTok community every single day. Whether it’s the sporting icons of tomorrow, rising stars in the fashion and beauty industry, passionate foodies, or breakthrough entertainers, they’ve all found a home on TikTok. Winners will be chosen by the TikTok community, with Irish fans invited to vote for their favorite creators directly on the platform.

Irish nominees will travel to London, where the 2024 TikTok Awards will take place on Tuesday, 3 December. The event will feature performances by Bimini and the Sugababes – ahead of their Irish tour dates next year. TikTok starlets Sarel and Charley Marlowe will host the red carpet and speak to nominees and the winners during the evening. Throughout the evening, there will be bespoke beverages provided by the official drinks partner Pepsi MAX, behind the scenes content from creators and partners and exclusive red carpet interviews from our nominees.

Back L-R: Joshua Nueva [@joshuanueva], Mirenda Rosenberg [@mirendarosenberg], Simone Gannon [@simonescribes], India Sasha [@indiasasha] Front L-R: James Doyle [@jamesdoylefitness], Elaine Fox [Head of TikTok Ireland], Meg Hughes [@meggghughes], Eoin Reardon [@pintofplane]Back L-R: Joshua Nueva [@joshuanueva], Mirenda Rosenberg [@mirendarosenberg], Simone Gannon [@simonescribes], India Sasha [@indiasasha] Front L-R: James Doyle [@jamesdoylefitness], Elaine Fox [Head of TikTok Ireland], Meg Hughes [@meggghughes], Eoin Reardon [@pintofplane]

TikTok Awards – Ireland’s Shortlist 2024

Creator of the Year 🏅– @jamesdoylefitness
Rising Star ⭐ – @dev_skehan
Breakthrough Artist of the Year 🎤 – @jordanadetunji
Voice of Change 📣 – @indiasasha, @thekingofchemo
Educator of the Year 📚 – @mirendarosenberg
Entertainment & Comedy Creator of the Year🎭 – @meggghughes
Sport Creator of the Year ⚽ – @johnnellis_
Fashion & Beauty Creator of the Year 👠 – @simonescribes
Food Creator of the Year 🍳 –  @boredoflunch
High Quality Creator of the Year📱 – @pintofplane
Travel Creator of the Year ✈️ – @joshuanueva

TikTok Awards Ireland & the UK Shortlist 2024 – Full List

🏅Creator of the Year 🏅Presented by Sky

@jamesdoylefitness @ayame.p, @kyramaeturner6, @simonsquibb, @asherglean, @italianbach

⭐ Rising Star ⭐Presented by Pepsi Max

@dev_skehan@thefashionnap, @ayoforthesoul, @georgethedop, @kimberleycumberbatch, @they.them.ri

🎤 Breakthrough Artist of the Year 🎤

@jordanadetunji@leostaytrill, @mylessmithuk, @nxdiamusic, @artemasaltalt, @rachelchinouriri

📣 Voice of Change 📣

@indiasasha, @thekingofchemo@kaynekawasaki, @benjykusi, @becomingjude, @hipster_sunshine

📚 Educator of the Year 📚

@mirendarosenberg @big.manny, @maxklymenko, @sophiasmithgaler, @thehistorygossip, @mattgreen.jgm

🎭 Entertainment & Comedy Creator of the Yea r🎭 Presented by Sky

@meggghughes, @steppingthroughfilm, @stells_press, @theclassicmanny, @zeewhatidid, @nicholas_flannery

⚽ Sport Creator of the Year ⚽ Presented by Sky
@johnnellis_, @confusedindiangirl, @luciecolebeck, @lifeofbradz, @liljr_ltd, @charlierugby_

👠 Fashion & Beauty Creator of the Year 👠 Presented by e.l.f Cosmetics

@simonescribes, @shakeel.murtaza, @yungalyy, @amelia.liana, @uchjn, @iamcharlotteolivia

🍳 Food Creator of the Year 🍳, Presented by Lidl

@boredoflunch, @cripandip, @bignibblescooks, @whatwilly, @johnnykyunghwo, @seemagetsbaked

✈️ Travel Creator of the Year ✈️

@joshuanueva, @live_thedash, @kelseyinlondon, @travellingtuesdays, @kellyprincewright, @handluggageonly

📱High Quality Creator of the Year📱, Presented by Adobe Express

@pintofplane, @yorkshire.fossils, @history_with_amy, @tempahtime, @thep00lguy, @dr.karanr

📼 Video of the Year 📼

@notorious_foodie, @makemeaoffer, @jayforeman, @iconicakes, @maisieisobel_, @itsmaddieclose

Here’s how you can get involved

🏆 Get voting. The TikTok Awards voting Hub is now open. Search ‘TikTok Awards’ in-app to discover more and to cast your vote. You can only vote via the TikTok app! Full T&Cs can be found here.

🎉 Join the conversation on TikTok. Use the #TikTokAwardsUKIE hashtag to share who you’ll be voting for!

📽️ Watch the awards. Want to tune in and celebrate the community? You can watch the whole event via TikTok LIVE on @TikTok_UK on the night.

Groundbreaking health IT project wins top honours at NI’s leading IT awards

The winners of the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards, in partnership with Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland, were announced on Friday evening at a prestigious ceremony held at the MAC Theatre in Belfast. Hosted by comedian Andrew Ryan, the event celebrated excellence in the Northern Ireland IT sector, with awards presented across 19 categories.

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust was a standout winner, taking home three major awards. The trust was recognised for its successful implementation of Encompass, a digital health records system for citizens in Northern Ireland. The project earned the title of Best Public Sector or Third Sector IT Project, as well as one of the biggest awards of the night, the Overall IT Team or Company of the Year Award.

Noel Brady, founder of consultancy firm NB1 Ltd, was honoured with the most prestigious award of the night, Outstanding Contribution Award, as the company celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Mr Brady, a respected figure in the IT sector in Northern Ireland, has spent his career advising companies on public sector tendering, sales and marketing, and holding leadership roles in both private and public sector organizations.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Mr Brady. “As a Belfast man, I am totally committed to growing the economy and creating employment opportunities for the next generation of talent in our city.”

Other notable winners included Allstate, Expleo, Options Technology, Mantle Services, and Covernet, among others. The 2024 awards saw a record number of entries, with a panel of esteemed judges from Northern Ireland’s IT industry, chaired by Peter Russell, Managing Director of PR Business Growth Services, narrowing down the finalists. 

Mark Gorton, CEO at Telefónica Tech UK&I, said: “Telefónica Tech were incredibly honoured to once again sponsor the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards. These awards highlight the outstanding talent, innovation and dedication driving the ever-evolving tech sector forward in Northern Ireland. It was incredible to join together with other leaders in the IT industry in Northern Ireland on the night. I want to send a congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees on their achievements.”

Peter Russell, chair of the judging panel said: “It was an honour to chair the judging panel for the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefónica Tech. Selecting this year’s winners was no easy task, especially as we had so many worthy and compelling entries. Thanks must go to my fellow judges who gave up their time and expertise so willingly and made the whole process a very enjoyable one. Congratulations to all of the deserving winners and thanks to everyone who made these awards a success.”

The full list of winners and finalists for the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 can be found on the event’s official website.

Enterprise Ireland launch the Founder of the Year Award 2024

Enterprise Ireland today launched the High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of Year Award 2024. The overall winner will be announced at an awards ceremony which will take place on Thursday, 17 October 2024 at the Gibson Hotel, Dublin 1.

This year 67 High Potential Start-ups are eligible for the award which will be whittled down to nine finalists.  Pictured from among the eligible companies are Heidi Davis, co-founder of Peri and Darren O’Reilly, co-founder of Whole Supp.  On the 17th October, a peer nominated group of the nine companies will present to the judging panel, who will decide the final winner.

The Founder of the Year award forms an important element of the Enterprise Ireland HPSU Founders Forum. Now in its ninth year the HPSU Founders Forum, which is delivered in partnership with Select Strategies continues to grow with over 450 founders having participated to date from a variety of sectors including digital technologies, medical devices, fintech, food, engineering and construction. The objective of the Forum is to provide a platform for founders to help founders succeed internationally and scale faster.

Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, “The Founder of the Year Awards promotes Ireland’s ecosystem of entrepreneurs who have displayed the potential and commitment to building their businesses and realising their global ambition. We are delighted to build on the success of the Awards which is now in its sixth year, and the Founders Forum which acknowledges and celebrates high-performance, innovative Irish start-ups. I wish all the nominees the best of luck in the run-up to the awards night in October.”

Irish Tech Challenge Announces Top Seven Startup Finalists to Scale At Dogpatch Labs

The Irish Tech Challenge, a prestigious competition that identifies and supports high-impact South African start-ups, has announced its top seven finalists for the 2024 edition.
Launched in 2022, the Irish Tech Challenge is a leading partnership between the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in Pretoria. Dogpatch Labs in Dublin and the Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Johannesburg serve as key implementation partners.
The 2024 edition received more than 350 applicants from South African start-ups, with seven ultimately selected as finalists. Each of these finalists will receive a grant of €10,000 and a funded trip to Ireland at the end of September to participate in an intensive weeklong accelerator and mentorship programme hosted in Dublin by Dogpatch Labs.
“The Irish Tech Challenge is a flagship programme for the Irish Embassy and our partners, providing an important link for South African entrepreneurs to the Irish tech ecosystem. The growth and success of the programme is a testament to the abundance of talent and creative thinking among South African entrepreneurs. This year’s cohort showcases innovation across a number of sectors and will benefit hugely from this experience. We look forward to growing this successful partnership in the coming years,” said Austin Gormley, Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa.
Dogpatch Labs will serve as the base for the South African entrepreneurs while they are in Dublin. While at Dogpatch, the startups will meet with a select group of Irish tech leaders and potential investors who will help them face the challenges of limited resources, infrastructure, networks and staffing while preparing for scalability across Africa, Europe and beyond.
“Our mission at Dogpatch is to create an innovation ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs. The South African entrepreneurs joining us for an immersion week are developing solutions to address critical sustainability challenges. Our own Irish entrepreneurs can learn how we can incorporate this mindset into our own tech ecosystem, while supporting the South Africans in rolling out their technologies to the rest of the world,” said Ashley Shak, Head of Sustainability and Innovation Programmes at Dogpatch Labs.
Hesus Inoma, Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Dogpatch Labs, said this year’s cohort is an excellent reflection of the rapidly developing tech sector in South Africa. “This year’s group of finalists are tackling a diverse range of challenges facing countries across the globe and the backgrounds of the Founders reflect the diverse makeup of South Africa, which is truly the country’s strength. We are very excited to be part of their journey.”
The top seven selected startups in this year’s Irish Tech Challenge are:
  • Adbot: founder Michelle Geere makes online advertising easy, effective and accessible to small and medium businesses.
  • Athena and lead founder Jabulani Nyembe help patients to split medical bills into monthly installments.
  • Credipple and founder Kgololo Lekoma connect companies across the world to remote work talent with in-demand skills.
  • Momint and lead founder Ahren Posthumus accelerate clean energy globally, fractionally and securely using Blockchain technology.
  • SAMANJALO and its founder Prudence Simelane have launched a Green Tech solution that addresses carbon emissions of fossil fuels.
  • SmartView Technologies and its founder Charnte Marthinus have created a SaaS Solution that helps customers simplify utility management with insights that reduce running costs.
  • The Awareness Company and lead founder Priaash Ramadeen have launched HYDRA, a software product that balances operational efficiency with sustainable impact.

HONOR Wins 39 Media Awards at IFA 2024

Global technology brand HONOR showcased its technological leadership with multiple innovative products, earning 39 “Best of IFA” awards. The HONOR Magic V3 redefines foldable smartphones with its ultra-thin 9.2mm unfolded profile. The HONOR MagicBook Art 14 features a unique detachable camera, balancing visual experience and privacy in ultralight laptops. The HONOR MagicPad2 impresses with its 12.3-inch OLED display, spatial audio, and eye protection technology. These devices highlight HONOR’s commitment to cutting-edge design and human/centric innovation across diverse product categories.

The HONOR Magic V3’s first appearance on the global stage at IFA 2024 has garnered significant praise from leading global tech media. TechRadar awarded the device “Best of IFA 2024”, noting “It absolutely wild to hold it in hand and feel how thin it is.” This sentiment was echoed by Trusted Reviews, which highlighted the Magic V3’s groundbreaking 9.2mm thickness, stating “This is up there with the thinnest foldables we’ve ever held, and it feels all the better for it.” The buzz continued with Android Authority, which emphasized the Magic V3’s potential to reshape the foldable market, remarking ” The HONOR Magic V3 is the world’s thinnest book-style foldable”. These accolades from respected tech authorities underscore HONOR’s successful push to the forefront of foldable technology, with the HONOR Magic V3 setting new benchmarks for design and functionality in the competitive flagship device landscape.

The HONOR MagicBook Art 14 has also captured the attention of leading tech media at IFA 2024. XDA Developers highlighted the perfect balance between display quality with the innovative detachable camera, noting “The simple ingenuity of this idea is the kind of idea I love to see companies try.” Yanko Design was also particularly impressed by its industry-leading innovative design, commenting “HONOR just Killed Apple’s MacBook Notch in the Best Way.” These comments highlight HONOR’s commitment to innovation, positioning the MagicBook Art 14 as a frontrunner in the competitive ultralight laptop market.

The HONOR MagicPad2 also received high acclaim at IFA 2024, with top-tier tech media lauding its exceptional audiovisual capabilities and advanced eye protection technology. Focusing on the productivity and visual performance, Android Headlines commended that “HONOR’s new MagicPad2 is the most-powerful Android Tablet on the market “. Les Numeriques was impressed by the tablet’s immersive productivity experience, stating the HONOR MagicPad2 is “a high-end tablet with AI to boost productivity“.

The enthusiastic reception of HONOR’s latest innovations at IFA 2024 underscores the brand’s unwavering commitment to pushing technological boundaries and delivering exceptional user experiences.