The search for the most innovative organisations in Ireland begins today with the launch of the fourth annual Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards. The awards aim to recognise and promote the best innovations within organisations in all sectors and all sizes across the island.
Companies can enter in one of six categories in the 2013 Innovation Awards:
* Agri-food innovation
* Life sciences innovation
* Greentech innovation
* Business services innovation
* Social innovation
* Creative industries innovation
Winners in each category will be chosen from a shortlist of three finalists. Each category winner will secure a €10,000 media deal with The Irish Times and 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 and a consultancy package will also be provided.
The judging panel includes: David Dobbin, group chief executive, United Dairy Farmers; Helen Kirkpatrick, non-executive director with UTV Media, Kingspan Group and corporate finance executive with Invest Northern Ireland; Chris Horn, co-founder of Iona Technologies; Liam Kavanagh, managing director, The Irish Times; Thomas Hunter McGowan, chief executive, InterTradeIreland; and Ivan Coulter, chief executive and founder of biotech firm Sigmoid Pharma, a previous winner.
The closing date for applications is Monday, December 3rd, 2012. For more information, visit www.irishtimes.com/innovation.
