Nominees Invited For 9th Annual TechAwards

The Ministry of Economic Development is inviting nominations for the ninth annual Technology Innovation Awards, commonly referred to as The TechAwards.

Nominations are being accepted through to October 23 at the TechAwards website at techawards.bm.

The 2015 TechAwards presentations will take place on Thursday, November 19 in conjunction with the Global Entrepreneurship Week’s [GEW] Celebration of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The public is welcome to attend this program which will be held in the XL Conference Room of the O’Hara Building.

In inaugurating the nomination process for 2015, Minister of Economic Development Dr Grant Gibbons stated: “Bermuda continues to benefit from residents, companies and other organisations providing technology solutions that have bettered our lives and the lives of others.

“The Department of E-Commerce established the TechAwards to recognize and showcase Bermuda as a sophisticated technology and e-business jurisdiction. We look forward to the public’s participation in this community-driven effort as we launch the 2015 nomination process to again seek out innovative achievements worthy of merit.”

The event began in 2007 and will be held next month for the ninth consecutive year.

The public is the driving force in the Department of E-Commerce’s efforts to recognise the outstanding achievements being made in Bermuda’s information technology industry. The twofold process begins with the public submitting nominations for Bermuda’s best in technology at the TechAwards website at techawards.bm.

The initial step is the call for nominations for four specific categories, including Innovation of the Year – International; Innovation of the Year – Local; Innovative Youth Program of the Year; and Mobile Application of the Year.

The second step has the TechAwards Committee evaluating each nomination and submitting those that meet the criteria to the panel of distinguished judges.

In the third step those qualified nominees are invited to an interview with the judging panels the week of October 26. The top five finishers are determined by the judges and recognized during the presentation of the TechAwards on November 19.

In 2014 the top finisher in the International Innovation of the Year was Trunomi, a pioneering company that has developed an online personal identity protection tool for the financial services industry.

There was a tie for Local Innovation of the Year between LookBermuda’s live streaming technology for the Nonsuch Island CahowCam, and the employment match-making website, Jobber.bm.

The Most Innovative Mobile Application was won by Gorham’s for their iOS mobile apps developed by Rod Farrington which allows the retailer to have one focused mobile price checking and inventory control platform.

Most Innovative Youth Programme was judged to be BIOS’s HSBC Explorer Programme which trains M2 teachers to work with their classes to build underwater drone vehicles which participated in a competition at the National Stadium pool in March.

Stuart Lacey, founder and CEO of Trunomi summed up the sentiments of all the winners with his comment, saying, “We are honoured to be recognized for our technology achievements, especially in the very early stages of our company.

“To be associated with such a prestigious award, and one that works to promote Bermuda as a truly global, innovative and sophisticated technology and e-business hub, is quite an accomplishment. Bermuda is a fantastic location to innovate and be an entrepreneur.”

Mr. Lacey added, “Top notch developers, leading edge IT and infrastructure, sources of capital, and phenomenal corporate and jurisdictional governance are all well-established and readily available.”

Joining the Department of E-Commerce on the GEW Bermuda Host Committee is the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda and Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.

Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy stated “Bermuda joins the world in celebrating innovation during Global Entrepreneurship Week [GEW]. BEDC, as the Lead Coordinator for GEW, continues to work with the Host Committee to provide the local entrepreneurial community with opportunities to highlight their talent and to reward our local innovators.

“In particular, I wish to acknowledge one of the featured events of the week, the TechAwards, which allow local entrepreneurs to be recognized for their achievements in technology. This event is now a signature event during GEW and is proving to be a catalyst to showcase innovation in Bermuda, not just on a local stage but internationally as well.

“Previous winners have gone on to win international accolades and I excitedly await the nominations for the 2015 TechAwards.”

The criteria for the four Bermuda Technology Innovation Awards is as follows:

• Innovation of the Year – International: – A truly innovative technology solution that has been conceived utilizing Bermuda-based infrastructure and/or resources. It should be in use anywhere in the world, and should be a true “showcase” for Bermudian influence in the international technology marketplace.
• Innovation of the Year – Local: – A truly innovative technology solution that is commercially in use in Bermuda. The solutions should utilize Bermuda-based infrastructure and/or resources. It should be a true “showcase” for the Island’s technology marketplace.
• Most Innovative Youth Project of the Year: – An innovative project developed by young people age 11-25 who reside in Bermuda, developed either individually, as a team, or part of an organization, which exhibits exceptional skills and achievement in Technology.
• Mobile Application of the Year – A truly innovative mobile device application that has been developed by a Bermudian or a Bermuda-based entity, which provides entertainment, utility, or service to users that is currently in use anywhere in the world.

For additional information, email e-commerce@gov.bm.

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Category: All, Business, technology