SOFTWARE LICENSING firm Inishtech, 3D printer maker Mcor Technologies, chip designer Movidius and social network tool Skillpages, are the four companies which have been shortlisted for the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG)/Irish Times technology company award.
Now in its fourth year, the award will be presented at a ceremony at Stanford University in the heart of Silicon Valley on April 6th.
AirPOS, which provides software for retailers, sports marketing specialists Active Mind Technology and Intelesens, a developer of wearable healthcare monitors, have been nominated for the most promising technology award.
The seven shortlisted companies were selected on the basis of their participation at the ITLG’s “Silicon Valley Comes to Ireland” event, which was held at the University of Limerick last November.
At that event, promising Irish start-ups participated in workshops with Silicon Valley investors and advisers and members of the ITLG, which is a network of senior Irish and Irish-American technology executives in the US.
Formed through the acquisition of Microsoft’s software licensing management business, Inishtech provides a platform to enable independent developers to charge for their software even if it is delivered using cloud computing or other newer models.
Chief executive Aidan Gallagher said the access to key US executives provided by the ITLG was very important “whether it leads to a capital investment or not”.
Mcor, which is based in Ardee, Co Louth, has developed the Matrix 3D printer, which creates 3D models using standard A4 reams of paper. It is currently building a network of international resellers and is closing its first round of external funding.
Chip designer Movidius has developed the Myriad 3D processor which allows phones and other mobile devices to display 3D video and photos without the need for special glasses. Employing 60 staff at offices in Ireland, Romania and Hong Kong, it is engaging with consumer electronics makers in Asia to get the Myriad 3D built in to new devices.
Skillpages, formerly Weedle, has developed a free web-based social utility which allows users to find others in their network who have skills they need and vice versa. Chief executive Iain MacDonald said the service was enjoying rapid growth in the US, UK and Singapore.
Intelesens focuses on clinical trials for its wearable monitors and hopes to get regulatory approval in the US in the coming months.
Active Mind Technology is developing apps and hardware for a range of sports and has launched its first brand Imeegolf for golfers, coaches and academies.
AirPOS has developed a retail software system for both online and offline sales and has just secured a £235,000 first round of funding.
