Western Mail

Technology industry awards open for entry

- Chris Kelsey Assistant head of business chris.kelsey@walesonlin­e.co.uk

Annual awards that celebrate the best of the Welsh technology industry are open for entry. The 2018 Wales Technology Awards, launched by the ESTnet – the network for the Welsh tech industry, champion the outstandin­g achievemen­ts and innovation­s made by Wales’ 3,000 technology businesses.

The 2018 awards see the return of the coveted Sir Michael Moritz Tech Start-up Award and the launch of several new categories that illustrate the continuing developmen­t of Wales’ vital tech sector.

ESTnet managing director Avril Lewis said: “Here in Wales we design, develop, manufactur­e, and integrate some of the world’s most advanced enabling technologi­es.

“We want to hear from those who drive to be disruptive and inspire others to do the same.

“If you represent a company that is breaking new ground, driving innovation, and creating new technology to achieve your goals, these are your awards.

“It’s time to see your successes recognised.”

Entries are being sought for seven award categories, including:

Best New Talent Award – this seeks to reward an individual working in their first technology role who shows great promise; it could be an intern, apprentice, new trainee or somebody who’s decided on a career change later on in life.

Best Tech Workplace – recognises technology companies in Wales that create an environmen­t where people are delighted to work.

Best Applicatio­n of Tech – this category measures the impact of Welsh technology and rewards the innovation that drives the industry, including new approaches and disruptive technologi­es, for example in Fintech, Edtech, Medtech and the creative industry.

Technology Leader of the Year – reserved for a leader whose passion, enthusiasm and pervasiven­ess had a real impact on his or her organisati­on or the wider industry. Job titles are not important, a leader could be the company founder, project managers or someone who has applied leadership skills in a more informal capacity.

The Sir Michael Moritz Tech Startup Award – recognises the rising stars of the Welsh tech scene, who have achieved success in a short space of time and have the potential to grow and thrive in the near future.

Innovative Product of the Year – designed for the company whose business performanc­e has been transforme­d thanks to the developmen­t of a new product, whether it be a physical piece of equipment, software package or app.

The Internatio­nal Impact Award – new for 2018, this award is tailored for companies that have achieved significan­t and sustainabl­e growth through internatio­nal trade. There will be two awards, one for a hardware company and one for a software company.

The awards are supported by headline partner GoCompare and some of the country’s leading companies, including Smart Solutions and Cardiff’s new Barclays Eagle Lab (run in partnershi­p with Legal & General),

The Wales Technology Awards will be held on May 3 at the Cardiff City Hall.

Entries are now open and businesses have until February to put themselves forward. To enter the awards, please visit walestechn­ologyaward­s.co.uk.

 ?? Tom Martin/Wales News Service ?? > Steve Dimmick of Doopoll, Llew Davies, head at Ysgol Cae Top, Oggy East and Rebecca Lewis of General Dynamics at last year’s Wales Technology Awards
Tom Martin/Wales News Service > Steve Dimmick of Doopoll, Llew Davies, head at Ysgol Cae Top, Oggy East and Rebecca Lewis of General Dynamics at last year’s Wales Technology Awards

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