Enfer Scientific, last year's overall winner of the National Innovation Awards, has succeeded in getting its test for BSE in beef carcasses included in the European Commission's BSE test evaluation programme. It is one of only four tests in the world to have been included in the programme.
Enfer was testing product samples this week for submission to the Commission. If successful it will become the only method of testing for BSE endorsed by the Commission. Already its system is being used privately by several companies, including Super Valu and Centra shops, to certify the safety of the meat they sell.
According to Ms Riona Sayers, operations manager with Enfer Scientific: "The Innovation Awards were instrumental in gaining our approval for entry into the EU validation process. It is also hugely important to have national recognition when approaching international clients."
Another successful candidate in the large business category of last year's Innovation Awards, was Baltimore Technologies. Since then Baltimore, which specialises in Internet security and authentication systems, sold to Zergo Holdings for around $60 million (£40 million).
The annual Innovation Awards - which are sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Irish Times and organised as part of the Government's Science, Technology & Innovation Awareness programme - are rapidly emerging as a bell-wether for the Republic's rising stars in the technology industry.
Last year's joint large business winner along with Baltimore, was Cork-based Raidtec. Specialising in the high growth storage area network sector, it expects to generate sales of around $15 million this year. Raidtec, which is gradually emerging as one of the global market leaders in the data storage industry, has been tipped for a stock market flotation within the next 18 months.
The recent successes of Raidtec, Baltimore and Enfer have highlighted the importance of continued high level investment in research and development by small companies. as, says: Research and development in the Republic's business sector has been growing rapidly, but many firms have yet to make a serious commitment to technological innovation, according to Mr John Travers, chief executive of Forfas.
"The National Innovation Awards show how successful innovation leads to successful companies," he says.
Companies interested in entering this year's competition are still being invited to obtain application forms and return a written proposal before May 21st. Prizes of £2,000 are available in each of the three categories - small business, medium business and large business. The overall winner selected from one of these categories will receive an additional £5,000 and a trophy.
Further information and entry forms for the awards is available from Ms Martina McDonnell, Forfas. Telephone: 01 607 3082.
