A total of 13 companies have been shortlisted for this year's PriceWaterhouseCoopers/Irish Times/STI National Innovation Awards.

The awards are in their second year and are part of the Government's Science, Technology & Innovation Awareness Programme, managed by Forfas on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology. The programme is aimed at highlighting the importance of innovation and technology in Irish business and among the general public.

Awards will be presented in three categories: small business (less than 50 employees), large business (more than 50 employees), and special scientific and technological innovation.

There will also be an overall winner selected from between the three category winners. Each category winner will receive £2,000, with the overall winner receiving £5,000 and a trophy. The shortlisted companies are:

Baltimore Technologies, Dublin, for its new encryption software designed to protect on-line financial transactions;

BioResearch Ireland, Dublin, for its new method of testing female fertility using saliva;

Corel Corporation, Dublin, for its new computer tool which makes the process of localising software easier;

Enfer Scientific, Cashel, Co Tipperary, for its new diagnostic system to test for BSE;

Ennis Food, with a manufacturing base in Co Donegal, for its portable breakfast product;

Guinness Ireland, Dublin, for its new system of mixing gases with beer products;

Raidtec Corporation, Little Island, Co Cork, for a new system of computer storage.

Selc Ireland, Belmullet, Co Mayo, for its electronic ballast for high intensity lighting;

Silicon & Software Systems, Dublin, for its radio-based data transmission system;

Statistical Solutions, Crosses Green, Co Cork, for new software which can accurately impute incomplete datasets;

Timoney Technology, Navan, Co Meath, for its new independent suspension system;

Tretorn Sports, Portlaoise, Co Laois, with its new variety of tennis ball;

WBT Systems, Dublin, for its new Web-based training system.