Four promising tech start-ups from Ireland will be pitching for a prize of €10,000 this month at the final of the 2018 Bolton Trust/PwC Innovation Awards (formerly Docklands/PwC Innovation Awards). 
  
Since 2012, the programme has offered a support package of finance, training and workspace to 160 start-ups, which have gone on to secure more than €14m in equity investment while creating over 600 jobs. The finalists, all recent graduates of the DIT/IADT New Frontiers Programme, will aim to convince the judging panel that their venture represents the strongest potential for global expansion and return-on-investment.

The event is supported by PwC and the Awards Evening will take place on Wednesday, 18th April at PwC, One Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1.  
  
The judging panel will include: 
· Orla Rimmington, Partner, Kernel Capital 
· Sarah-Jane Larkin, Director-General of the Irish Venture Capital Association 
· Graham Byrne, Founder & CEO, YourSmileDirect (and winner of the Awards in 2016)
  
Speaking at the Awards shortlist announcement, Managing Partner at PwC, Feargal O'Rourke said, "In the most recent PwC CEO survey, over three-quarters (76%) of Irish CEOs believe that technology will significantly change competition in their industry in the next five years. Leveraging emerging technologies such as data analytics, automation and machine learning will be a key driver for firms to be more competitive. It is interesting to note that many of these innovations lie at the core of the product and service offerings of our finalists."

He added, "It is important to support our entrepreneurs who will play a key role in our economy’s continued growth. Making a difference through ideas, innovation and entrepreneurship is core to the PwC Values and is what these Awards are all about. We wish all the candidates every success."
  
Source: www.businessworld.ie