Shortlist announced for tech award

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 Innovation Leadership Group/Irish Times innovation company award.

AirPOS, which provides software for retailers, sports marketing specialists Active Mind Innovation and Intelesens, a developer of wearable healthcare monitors, have been nominated for the most promising innovation award.

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 research 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.

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.

The Myriad 3D processor which allows phones

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.

Active Mind Innovation is developing apps and hardware for a range of sports and has launched its first brand Imeegolf for golfers, coaches and academies.