NW firm in running for major European digital award


An innovative Northern Ireland social enterprise is set to be in the limelight at one of Europe’s premier business events this week as a finalist in the prestigious DigiBIC Awards which will be presented at the three-day EBN Congress.

The Derry~Londonderry-based firm, which allows charities, social enterprises and other organisations to measure and report on their outputs and social impact, is in the running for the top prize alongside companies from Luxembourg and Italy.

Founded in 2006 with the support of the Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre (NORIBIC), Social Impact Tracker has increased its user-base by 600% since 2010 and has continued to expand its sales in export markets.

The DigiBIC Awards, which will be presented on the final day of EBN Congress (Friday 31st May) in Derry~Londonderry’s Millennium Forum, reward businesses and research institutes from across Europe who have worked together to successfully deploy digital technologies in the Creative Industries.

Dr Bernard Toal, NORIBIC Chief Executive, says that he is delighted Social Impact Tracker will feature in the awards when the congress is taking place in its home town.

“EBN Congress 2013 will hear from and involve some of the world’s leading innovators and entrepreneurs, so it is a fantastic platform for Social Impact Tracker to be recognised for its innovation and growth. We wish them the very best of luck and look forward to the awards on Friday,” he adds.
Peter MacCafferty of Social Impact Tracker says: “We’re thrilled to be shortlisted from so many companies across Europe for the awards and to be highlighted at EBN Congress which is such a huge, high profile event. We’ve come a long way in the last three years, and we see being a finalist in these awards as fantastic recognition.”

Headlined by Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, EBN Congress will feature an unparalleled line-up of 50 top class speakers from throughout Europe and as far away as China and Australia. The event is being made possible by sponsorship from organisations including principal sponsors Invest NI, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and Ilex.

Over 450 delegates have already signed up to attend with new registrations coming in on a daily basis.  Exhibition space at the Millennium Forum conference venue is sold out with over 40 exhibitors confirmed and a growing waiting list.  Sponsorship has also exceeded targets with top line support from Invest Northern Ireland, DCAL and ILEX as well as another 19 well-known private and public sector organisations from throughout Northern Ireland.

In addition to the Principal Sponsors, the EBN Congress is also supported by SEUPB’s INTERREG IVA Programme, the Irish BICS, Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau (DVCB), Derry City Council, Pi Communications, the Nerve Centre, Learning Pool, Bombardier, Concentrix, Matrix, Carson and McDowell, Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP), Seagate, North West Regional College (NWRC) the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Tayto and Bushmills.

More information about DigiBIC Awards:

http://www.digibic.eu/newsarticle.asp?slevel=0z87&parent_id=87&renleewtsapf=49

More information about EBN Congress:

www.noribic.com/ebncongress

More info about Social Impact Tracker:

http://www.socialimpacttracker.org/