The ScotlandIS Digital Technology Awards 2016 are now open for entries with a hat trick of new categories up for grabs.
A new ‘CEO of the year’ award has been introduced for 2016 to recognise the exceptional role played by CEO’s in delivering the vision, growth and profitability for their companies and their contribution to the Scottish economy.
Meanwhile, a new ‘Education provider/training programme’ gong will highlight and celebrate the work being done throughout Scotland to incubate the digital technology skills that the industry needs to continue growing.
With Scotland fast becoming a centre of excellence for analytics and data science, ScotlandIS and sponsors The Data Lab have introduced a dedicated category, ‘Transformational innovation through data’ which is sure to be hotly contested.
The awards, now in their sixth year, celebrate Scotland’s world-class digital technologies industry and the talent and ideas abundant within it.
Previous finalists range from well-known Scottish success stories such as Skyscanner, Craneware, iomart and Fanduel to smaller but ambitious companies like Waracle, Administrate, Screenmedia and We are AD.
Martin Mutch, an investor, advisor and former CEO of IT services business Rocela, will chair this year’s panel of 10 expert judges.
Polly Purvis, CEO of ScotlandIS said: “The Digital Technology Awards showcase excellence within the industry rewarding the innovation, expertise and ambition of businesses, large and small.
“They are an opportunity to celebrate the very best of Scotland’s digital technologies industry and every year I am really impressed by the calibre of entries we receive.
“Last year was our biggest event so far and I am hoping that, with our industry going from strength to strength, we will see even more competition this time round.”
The 2016 categories are:
- Best B2B Technology Product / Service
- Best B2C Technology Product / Service
- International Technology Star
- Best Financial Services Product / Service
- Best Public Sector Product / Service
- Best Education Provider / Training Programme
- Outstanding Marketing Performance of the Year
- Investment Deal of the Year
- Transformational innovation through data
- Star Performance of the Year
- CEO of the Year
- Digital Agency of the Year
- Digital Technology Business of the Year (Large)
- Digital Technology Business of the Year (Small)
Scotland’s digital technology industry contributes £4 billion in GVA to the economy and some 80,000 people are employed in the sector with start–up incubators such as Rookie Oven in Glasgow and CodeBase in Edinburgh enjoying huge success and growth.
The latest industry survey conducted on behalf of ScotlandIS found that confidence is high in the sector, with more than 8 out of 10 businesses expecting to recruit new staff in the coming year. It also found that exports are on the up, with Scottish companies looking to the US, Canada and Europe as the next markets for expansion.
The deadline for entries is Wednesday 24 February 2016 and the awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 20 April 2016 at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow.
Visit http://www.scotlandis.com/digitaltech2016/ to find out more the awards and how to apply for entry.