ALL ROADS LEAD TO KERRY: CELEBRATING SOUTHWEST TECH INNOVATION AT THE 2024 LEADERS AWARDS

A Night of Celebration for Cork and Kerry's Tech Sector

Killarney, Ireland, 29 November 2024 – All roads led to Killarney, County Kerry, as the Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards celebrated the thriving tech ecosystem of the Southwest for the first time. Held at the Great Southern Hotel, the night was a showcase of entrepreneurial success, community impact, and technological excellence, demonstrating why the region is becoming a global leader in innovation.

The evening began with an address from the Mayor of Kerry, Breandán Fitzgerald, who welcomed attendees and underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation for the region's continued success. Renowned broadcaster Anton Savage served as the evening’s MC and early in the night, comedian Bernard Casey set the tone with his sharp wit and humour, energising the audience and bringing light-heartedness to the evening.

Entrepreneurial Edge

The entrepreneurial energy of the Southwest was a defining theme of the night, with winners representing both emerging talent and long-established trailblazers. Tech Start-Up of the Year was awarded to Stingray Labs / Beam, whose innovative digital solutions are revolutionising legal and financial services.  Aspen Grove Solutions, winner of the Best Learning Workplace Award, demonstrated how homegrown companies are driving global success while investing in their employees. Their commitment to workplace development reflect the Southwest’s ethos of growth and ambition.

Lasting Legacies

At the heart of this entrepreneurial spirit is Fexco, whose enduring success is a cornerstone of the Southwest’s reputation. Honoured with the Tech Person of the Year Award, the McCarthy Family has guided Fexco’s rise from its founding in Killorglin in 1981 to a global leader in payments and FX technology. Ruth McCarthy, speaking on behalf of her family, used the HMS Endeavour’s voyage of discovery as a powerful analogy for Fexco’s journey. Just as the Endeavour changed the way the world was viewed, Fexco has transformed global financial technology, helping establish the Southwest as a leader in innovation.

Shaped by the Landscape

Kerry’s dramatic landscapes and natural beauty continue to inspire innovations that tackle global challenges. ENERCON, awarded Multinational of the Year, is a pioneer of wind energy technology and a key partner in the energy transition. Specialising in turbine and technology development, production, sales, and servicing of onshore wind turbines, ENERCON has been driving sustainable energy generation from onshore wind for over 40 years. Pursuing its mission of ‘Energy for the world,’ the company exemplifies how the Southwest’s natural resources are harnessed for global environmental impact.

Winner of the Environmental Sustainability Award, Astellas based in Killorglin, is a finished goods pharmaceutical facility that manufactures and packages lifesaving products for the global market. From immunosuppressants to biologic treatments for cancer patients, Astellas Ireland is not only saving lives but also contributing to sustainable pharmaceutical production. 

BioAtlantis, winner of the Smart Technology Innovation Award, is another shining example of innovation shaped by the region’s agricultural heritage. Their stress-mitigation technologies for crops have revolutionised sustainability in agriculture, demonstrating the far-reaching influence of Kerry’s landscape on global solutions.

Welcoming Community & Creative in Character

Central to Kerry’s identity is its sense of community, and this was celebrated through the Chairperson’s Community Award. This was presented by Gerry Murphy, Chairperson of the Tech Industry Alliance, to the Tír na nÓg Children's Foundation. Founded by Louise Quill, this remarkable organisation provides a loving and secure home for orphaned and abandoned children in Tanzania. Operating from Tralee, the foundation blends local commitment with global compassion. Tír na nÓg invests in education and sustainable projects, creating a lasting impact on children’s lives while embodying Kerry’s deep sense of care and connection.

The creativity and innovation that defines the Southwest was evident in all honourees and for the first time ever in the history of the awards, a Kerry based school, Coláiste Gleann Lí, received the Excellence in Education Award, through their demonstration of how innovation in education is shaping future generations to thrive in a tech-driven world.

Celebrating Success and Building Legacies

The Leaders Awards celebrated the breadth of talent and achievement across the Southwest. Success stories such as Green Rebel (Scale-Up of the Year) reflected the region’s growing influence in tech and sustainability. Meanwhile, NetApp, recognised with the Diversity, Inclusion & Social Impact Award, highlighted how global companies are fostering inclusivity and making meaningful contributions to the local community.

The Tech Industry Alliance, which represents over 250 tech-producing and tech-enabled companies, is at the forefront of this growth. Through fostering collaboration between start-ups, multinationals, academia, and policymakers, the Alliance ensures the Southwest continues to thrive as a vibrant tech ecosystem. For more information on the winners and the Tech Industry Alliance’s initiatives, visit www.techindustryalliance.ie.

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