There are a total of eight categories in the award programme including the Sir Michael Moritz Tech Start-Up of the Year, Innovative Product of the Year, Collaborative Partnership of the Year, Young Engineer of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Industry Role Model of the Year, and the Company of the Year Award.
The launch event marked the start of the high-profile annual ESTnet awards programme which stands to champion the electronics, software and technology businesses within Wales that develop, manufacture and integrate some of the world’s most advanced digital technologies.
Speaking of the decision to sponsor the 2016 ESTnet Awards, Dr Drew Nelson, IQE CEO and President, said: “IQE is proud to join the ESTnet in celebrating the outstanding achievements of the Welsh technology sector. Today, many major Welsh achievements often go unnoticed, because vital technologies that are key to global innovations and productivity are developed in Wales but are embedded deep within products and services of high profile, international corporations.
"Wales continues to strengthen its position as a driving force in the development of the enabling technologies that give us the products we use every day. It's important that we ensure Wales' strengths and successes are recognised so that we can become a magnet for new talent and investment.”
Last year’s winners included Skybrid, Interceptor Solutions and Axiom Manufacturing Services. Interceptor Solutions took the 2015 ESTnet award for ‘Innovative Software Package or Application’.
Speaking at the 2015 Awards launch, Richard Sheppard, a director of the multilingual software consultancy firm, explained the benefits the Awards’ provide to entrants:
“Entering our product, Linguaskin, in the awards gave us the rare opportunity to pitch our product to a panel of experts. It was a pragmatic decision for us. The entry process itself provided a lot of value, and helped us to further develop the product. Winning the Award really raised the profile of Interceptor Solutions.”
The ESTnet continues to shine a spotlight on the successes of Welsh tech start-ups with the return of the Sir Michael Moritz Tech Start-up of the Year Award. Last year that accolade went to Cloud services provider, Skybrid.
