KPMG in Ireland has opened entries for the 2026 Global Tech Innovator (GTI) competition. Now in its sixth year, KPMG is inviting ambitious Irish technology and tech‑enabled companies to compete for the chance to represent Ireland at the global final in Lisbon this November.
Commenting on the 2026 launch, Anna Scally, Global Head of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications at KPMG said:
“Dublin healthtech company Akara’s achievement in Lisbon was one of the competition’s strongest years for Ireland. Akara finished as first runner up at the 2025 global final and it showed the world that Ireland punches well above its weight in
technology. We now want to find the next Akara, an ambitious Irish tech founder ready to compete on the world stage.”
Reflecting on last year’s journey, Niamh Donnelly, co-founder and CTO of Akara, said:
“Winning the Irish competition validated years of hard work and confirmed that what we’re building at Akara genuinely matters. But representing Ireland on the global stage and finishing as first runner up out of 21 of the world’s most promising tech startups has opened doors we couldn’t have imagined. For Akara, this competition wasn’t just an award, it was a launchpad.”
Who can enter?
The competition is open to pure technology or tech enabled, tech driven, or tech led businesses which have operated for seven years or less, have generated revenue of between USD $1–15m, or have raised at least $500,000 in equity, and are registered and based in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Shortlisted entrants will pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to a panel of judges – including successful entrepreneurs and investors – for the chance to be crowned Ireland’s winner and to compete at the global final.
Applications must be submitted by 22nd of May 2026 and you must be available to appear in-person for the Ireland final, which will be held in Dublin on the 30th of June 2026.
Benefits for the Irish winner include:
National and global exposure: Showcasing your innovation to industry experts, investors, partners, and customers; boosting local profile via media and social coverage. The Irish winner advances to compete globally in Lisbon in November.
Networking opportunities: Connecting with fellow tech innovators, join local and global peer networks, collaborating, and gaining insights from seasoned professionals.
Mentorship and growth: Accessing KPMG mentors and advisors for guidance on scaling; receiving ongoing feedback from judges and peers to refining your innovation and presentation skills.
Previous Irish finalists
Ireland’s track record Irish finalists and winners to date reflect the breadth of the country’s innovation, from Niamh Donnelly of Akara (2025 Irish winner) and Emma Meehan’s Precision Sports Technology (2024 Irish winner) to Conor Sheridan’s AI powered hospitality platform Nory, Barry Lunn’s accident prevention firm Provizio, and Terry Canning’s Belfast based CattleEye, the world’s first hardware independent autonomous livestock monitoring platform.
To enter, find out more about the competition and watch all the previous Irish finalists’ pitches, visit www.kpmg.ie/GTI
Today, Dell Technologies has announced a strategic collaboration with 6WIND, a pioneer in virtualised network functions, to empower Communication Service Providers (CSPs) and enterprise IT organisations. Through the Dell Technologies OEM solutions program, this collaboration introduces the “6WIND solution powered by Dell Technologies,” a comprehensive and high-performance combination of Dell infrastructure and 6WIND’s Virtual Service Router (VSR) solutions.
Under this agreement, Dell Technologies will provide 6WIND’s VSR solutions as part of its product portfolio, giving CSPs across EMEA, seamless access to infrastructure paired with cutting-edge virtualized networking functions.
This joint solution is designed to unlock unmatched efficiency and simplify the deployment of advanced network solutions, enabling enterprises and CSPs to meet the growing demand for broadband access, mobile network security, and secure B2B services. By leveraging Dell PowerEdge servers as hosts for 6WIND’s VSR use cases – organizations can address networking challenges with sustainable, scalable, and competitive solutions.
Highlights of the collaboration:
Integrated solutions with faster deployment: The powerful combination of Dell infrastructure and 6WIND’s software ensures ease of deployment and reduces time to value for organizations.
Complete product portfolio access: Dell’s partners, resellers, and distributors can now directly order the integrated 6WIND solution through Dell, making efficient networking solutions more accessible.
Comprehensive networking use cases: Ideal for applications such as broadband access, mobile network security, and B2B services, this solution is engineered for modern communication networks.4
Global scalability and sustainability: This collaboration reinforces Dell and 6WIND’s commitment to delivering environmentally sustainable and scalable solutions for organizations worldwide.
“We are thrilled to announce the strategic collaboration with 6WIND, which brings unmatched advancements in virtualized networking to CSPs and enterprises across EMEA, helping them build innovative, agile, and sustainable communication infrastructure,” said Sanjay Tyagi, Vice President, and General Manager – OEM Solutions EMEA at Dell Technologies.
“This collaboration combines the best of 6WIND’s virtualized network functions and Dell PowerEdge servers. Together, we are not only accelerating the deployment of modern networks but also providing highly competitive and efficient solutions for businesses navigating their digital transformation agendas”, said Julien Dahan, CEO at 6WIND.
The fourth eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards launched with an inspiring networking event in eir’s HQ in Dublin, ahead of the awards which will take place on the 8th of November in the 5-star Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel.
The event aims to shine a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of Irish female entrepreneurs, with over 110 women nominated across 12 diverse categories. The awards will also feature a special honour: the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, celebrating one standout leader in Irish business.
The launch brought together nominees, guests, and industry leaders for an engaging and informative panel discussion, moderated by Susan Brady, eir’s Managing Director of Consumer & Small Business, and Bianca Luykx, Editorial Director of VIP Publishing. Former award winners Helen Steele, Jennifer Rock, and Fiona Parfrey shared their experiences, offering advice on what it takes to succeed as a female entrepreneur in today’s competitive landscape.
Winners will be decided upon by a panel of judges made up of Susan Brady, eir’s Managing Director of Consumer & Small Business; Lily O’Donoghue, eir’s SMB director; Pippa O’Connor Ormond, last year’s winner of Entrepreneur of the Year; Ruth O’Connor, journalist; Kathryn Thomas, broadcaster and businesswoman; Rebecca Brady, Commercial & Events Director of VIP Publishing; and Bianca Luykx, Editorial Director of VIP Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of VIP magazine.
The awards will see the return of eir as title sponsors for the third year, supported by a prestigious group of Irish and international category sponsors including Very, Weir & Sons, Suir Engineering, Kérastase, Boots, Dr Hauschka, AYA supplements, Uniphar, Penneys, Lindt and Tanqueray Gin.
Pippa O’Connor Ormond, last year’s winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year award said: ““I am thrilled to be on the judging panel for this year’s eir VIP Publishing Power of Woman awards. To have won entrepreneur of the year in 2023 was such an honour. Awards like these are a great boost for women in business. A reminder to celebrate ourselves & others. I look forward to meeting more like minded, inspiring women at this year’s awards’’.
VIP Publishing’s Commercial & Events Director Rebecca Brady said: “VIP Publishing are thrilled to partner with eir and all of our fantastic sponsors to bring you the 4th annual Power of Women Awards. We are delighted to see Irish and international businesses join forces to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ireland’s most remarkable female entrepreneurs. Women are the driving force behind all that we do at VIP Publishing and we are proud to provide a platform that highlights the passion and perseverance of Irish female entrepreneurs. We look forward to celebrating their achievements once again this year.’’
Susan Brady, Managing Director of eir Consumer and Small Business expressed her pride in hosting the eir VIP Publishing Power of Women nominee announcement at eir’s headquarters: “We are honoured to return as the title sponsor of the eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards, which celebrates the outstanding achievements of female entrepreneurs and business leaders across Ireland. These women are not only driving innovation and economic growth, but they are also creating lasting positive change in society.
At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland, and our role in supporting small businesses – by providing the connectivity and solutions they need to grow and thrive – directly aligns with the spirit of these awards. By shining a light on the incredible contributions of female business leaders, we hope to inspire the next generation of women to lead with innovation, create stronger communities, and build a more inclusive future for all.”
Categories are as follows:
Digital & Tech – Sponsored by eir
Máirín Murray and Vicky Twomey-Lee (TechFoundHer)
Rena Maycock (Chirp)
Tammy Darcy (Shona Project)
Clare McSweeney (KuulPlay)
Niamh Donnelly (Akara Robotics)
Anna Carmody (Little Red Edu)
Rosanne Longmore (Coroflo)
Deirdre Lyons (Examifly)
Fashion Retail – Sponsored by Lindt
Emma Manley (Manley)
Lucy Nagle (Lucy Nagle)
Faye Rochford (FéRí)
Laura Weber (LW Pearl)
Aoife McNamara (Aoife McNamara)
Rosie Connolly (4th Arq)
Fiona Heaney (FeeG)
Lisa McGowan (Lisa & Co)
Beauty Industry – Sponsored by Uniphar
Linda Stintson (Bellamianta)
Kerry Hanaphy (Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic)
Liz Dwyer & Nikki Dwyer (Future of Beauty)
Dr Emma Cunningham (Dr Emma Skincare)
Vanessa Gomez (Essences Day Spa)
Agnes Rafal (HOMEface yoga by agnes)
Anna Forde (Haumea)
Noelle O’Connor( TanOrganic and VeganTan)
Hair Care – Sponsored by Kérastase
Denise Phillips (PELO/Voduz)
Anita Donohue (Annutri)
Claire Balding /Fullam (Remi)
Nancy Cavanagh (Belle Hair Extensions)
Helen Reavey (Act+Acre)
Stephanie Nwambu (Callah Crowns)
Aine Kennedy (Smooth Stick)
Mairead Ronan (Faro)
Cosmetics & Skin Care – Sponsored by Boots
Charlene Flanagan & Niamh Ryan (Ella & Jo)
Niamh Hogan (Holos Skincare)
Dr. Helena McMahon (Seabody)
Una McGurk (Seoulista Beauty)
Sonia Deasy (Pestle & Mortar)
Susie O’Neill (AYU Cosmetics)
Geraldine Jones (Skin Formulas)
Michelle Regazzoli Stone (MRS Glam)
Communications
Valerie Roe (Valerie Roe PR)
Rebecca Burrell (Burrell Marketing and Publicity)
Hannah Saunders (Hannah Saunders PR)
Sonia Harris (Harris PR)
Lindsey Holmes (Lindsey Holmes Publicity)
Rachel Sherry (Sherry Communications)
Tara O’Connor (Tara O’Connor Consulting)
Kerryann Conway (The Hive Agency)
Creative – Sponsored by Dr. Hauschka
Audrey Hamilton (Audrey Hamilton Art)
Orla de Brí (Orla de Brí)
Ciara & Rachel Howard (Howrad Studios)
Jenny McCarthy (By Jenny McCarthy)
Clíodhna Doherty (Clíodhna Doherty Art)
Heather Condren (Flowerpop)
Jenny Buckley & Carol Gunner (Tamber Media)
Deirdre Young & Sinead Bailey Kelly (H&G Creations)
Senao Networks, a leading network solution provider, proudly announces its launch of SX904 SmartNIC based on the Intel NetSec Accelerator Reference Design. This cutting-edge NIC, harnessing the power of PCIe Gen4 technology and fueled by the Intel XeonD processor, sets an unprecedented standard in high-performance network computing. Senao will showcase a system demonstration at the Intel booth during the upcoming MWC in Barcelona, 26th to 29th of February, 2024.
As transformative shift in networking edge, enterprises are increasingly leaning on scalable edge infrastructure. In order to cater the demands of workloads, low latency, local data processing, and robust security, SX904 marks a significant leap forward.
The combination of Intel XeonD processor, PCIe Gen4 technology, dual 25G SFP28 support, and DDR4 ECC memory support enables the SX904 to achieve unparalleled data transfer rates and maximum bandwidth utilization, ideal for modern server architectures. It provides higher performance from the latest Intel Xeon D processor and Intel Ethernet Controller E810 and supports the latest Intel Platform Firmware Resilience, BMC, and TPM2.0. SX904 enables the seamless offload of applications optimized for Intel architecture with zero changes, optimizing performance transmission effortlessly into an Intel-based server in PCIe add-in-card form factor.
“Senao Networks is proud to introduce the groundbreaking SX904 SmartNIC, setting a new standard in high-performance networking. Our collaboration with Intel has propelled us to redefine industry benchmarks, delivering unparalleled excellence in networking technology.” – Bou Lin, President of Senao Networks.
In a vibrant economy boasting a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Ireland presents a dynamic landscape for small businesses.
However, thriving in such an environment demands a potent mix of creativity, strategic thinking, and an inherent knack for relationship-building. Here, we delve into strategies that can help small businesses in Ireland gain a competitive edge.
Ireland’s small business sector is an exciting arena of innovation and growth. This spirited community of start-ups and SMEs contributes significantly to Ireland’s GDP, acting as the lifeblood of the local economy. While the opportunities are abundant, the challenges are no less. Let’s explore the key facets of building and maintaining a competitive edge.
Identifying Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
In a saturated market, differentiation is king. Your unique selling proposition (USP) is what distinguishes your business from the crowd. It’s what makes your products or services more appealing to your target audience than those offered by competitors.
Whether it’s a superior product, a better customer service experience, or a unique branding strategy, it’s crucial to identify your USP and communicate it effectively to your audience. This gives your business a unique identity, strengthens your brand and attracts loyal customers.
Embracing Technology
Harnessing technology is a powerful way to streamline operations, improve service delivery and build stronger connections with customers. With a wide array of tech tools available, businesses can optimise everything from product development to customer service. For instance, managing small business payroll, can be a tedious and error-prone task if done manually.
By leveraging reliable payroll software, you can automate this process, ensuring accuracy and compliance, while freeing up valuable time to focus on more strategic aspects of your business. Embracing technology is not merely a convenience; it’s a necessity in the digital age.
Building Brand Loyalty
Brand loyalty isn’t built overnight, but its long-term rewards are immense. A loyal customer not only provides steady revenue but can also become an ambassador for your brand, bringing in new customers through word-of-mouth referrals.
Cultivating such loyalty requires consistent high-quality service, positive customer interactions and an authentic brand story. Engage with your customers regularly, listen to their feedback and demonstrate that you value their business. Building brand loyalty is an investment in your company’s future success.
Networking and Collaboration
In business, the adage “No man is an island” rings especially true. Networking and collaboration are essential components of business growth. They provide opportunities for learning, mentorship, partnership and customer acquisition.
Hiring third-party services, such as conference and event chauffeur services, can also be beneficial. For instance, arranging a chauffeur service for a networking event or a business meeting can make a strong impression, showcasing your professionalism and commitment to quality. Leveraging such services allows you to focus on your core competencies while leaving the logistics to experts.
Investing in Your Team
Your employees are your business’s most significant assets. Investing in their development, wellbeing and satisfaction is not only ethically right but also smart business. A motivated, skilled and satisfied team is more productive, innovative and loyal.
Encourage a culture of continuous learning, offer opportunities for professional development, recognise good work, and promote work-life balance. An investment in your team is an investment in your business’s success.
Implementing Effective Marketing Strategies
No matter how great your product or service is, without effective marketing, it may go unnoticed. Your marketing strategy is an integral part of your business plan. It helps define your brand, articulate your value proposition, and reach your target audience.
Whether through traditional marketing methods or digital channels, a strong marketing strategy helps increase visibility, generate leads, and convert those leads into customers. Consider working with professionals or agencies that can help strategize and execute your marketing plan to ensure a wider reach.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Innovation is not just about coming up with new products or services; it’s about improving processes, creating efficiencies, and developing new ways to deliver value to customers. Fostering a culture of innovation within your organisation is a long-term investment that can yield significant benefits.
It encourages creativity, engages employees, and can lead to new and improved offerings that set your business apart. Encourage your team to share their ideas, and reward creative thinking. By making innovation part of your business DNA, you can stay ahead of the competition.
Embracing Sustainability
More than ever, customers are demanding that businesses operate sustainably. Embracing sustainable practices not only helps preserve the environment but can also be good for your bottom line.
Sustainable businesses often see benefits such as cost savings, improved brand reputation, and increased customer loyalty. Whether it’s reducing waste, using energy-efficient technologies, or sourcing materials responsibly, there are many ways small businesses can incorporate sustainability into their operations.
Conclusion
Building a competitive edge in Ireland’s vibrant small business landscape is no small feat. It requires a combination of strategic differentiation, smart technology use, loyalty-building, effective networking and a dedicated team.
As you navigate this exciting journey, remember that consistency is key. Maintain a clear focus on your objectives, continually adapt to the evolving business landscape, and stay true to your brand. With the right strategies, your business can not only survive but thrive in Ireland’s competitive market.
Remember, success isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep pushing the boundaries of what your small business can achieve.
Viatel Technology Group, a leading provider of networking solutions and digital services, has announced an initiative to help its customers reduce their carbon footprint and be more sustainable when refreshing their networks. Viatel customers can now return used hardware to be responsibly reused and recycled. By recycling end-of-life equipment, companies will reduce e-waste, helping them to achieve their sustainability goals and reach their targets for a circular economy.
Access to this takeback scheme is a result of Viatel recently being awarded Cisco’s Sustainability Certification. The certification recognises that Viatel, a Cisco Partner, is committed to providing sustainable networking and IT infrastructure solutions that are not only good for the environment, but also reduce operational costs and increase efficiencies. Cisco, the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet, has committed to achieving 100 % product return on end-of-use hardware globally, a goal that Viatel has now pledged to support.
Eilish O’Connor, CTO with Viatel Technology Group, said “We are very proud to have been awarded the Sustainability Certification by Cisco and to be in a position to help our customers to be more sustainable in their network refresh efforts. Like so many companies, our customers have become more environmentally conscious. When discussing network refreshes and updating IT infrastructure, the sustainability of our proposed solutions has become part of the conversation for the first time. Achieving this specialisation allows us to operationalise environmental sustainability practices in a meaningful and practical way.”
Eilish continued, “Viatel Technology Group’s commitment to sustainability is part of its broader mission to deliver reliable, cost-effective, and innovative network solutions to our customers. By prioritising sustainability, the company is not only reducing its impact on the environment but also helping our customers to do the same.”
Viatel Technology Group CEO, Paul Rellis, congratulated the team on this latest accreditation, “Our team is constantly upskilling to stay on top of the latest innovations from our global partners. The sustainability certification is special because it resonates so strongly with our own company values. As a responsible corporate citizen, we are committed to our communities and our environment and to reducing our own carbon footprint.”
Viatel Technology Group delivers its award-winning fully managed SD-WAN service exclusively on Cisco Meraki technology. Earlier this year, Viatel published Ireland’s first SD-WAN Report, supported by Cisco.
For more information about sustainable networking options, visit www.viatel.com.
