Ready to scale? ISA hunts for software firms with the right stuff

9 Sep 2014

Now entering its 36th year, the Irish Software Association’s annual hunt for visionary leaders begins in earnest. Most (87pc) of software firms are citing an increase in revenues, but have they got the courage to scale?

“The ISA Software Awards will recognise the success of this industry that is innovating, transforming and scaling,” ISA chair and Trilogy Technologies managing director Edel Creely said.

Recent figures from the ISA Digital Technology Index (DTI) show that 87pc of Irish IT companies expect international sales to grow over the coming year and business sentiment continues to improve.

“The ISA DTI highlighted the fact that 81.5pc of technology companies were more confident about their business than they were three months ago, with 94pc stating they expected revenues to increase over the coming three months.”

The global tech industry is in rude health and now, more than ever, is the right time for Irish software companies to export more and scale up.

“Ireland’s indigenous software and digital IT sector is growing with over 800 Irish-owned digital technology companies, employing well in excess of 10,000 people and contributing €1.8bn to the economy,” noted Myra Garrett, managing partner at corporate law firm William Fry.

The best and brightest

The ISA Software Industry Awards, which will be sponsored by the Bank of Ireland, will recognise the best and brightest of Ireland’s software and digital technology companies, who are urged to submit their entries by Friday, 3 October. Entry is free and not restricted.

After the entry deadline, an independent panel of industry leaders will shortlist and adjudicate the entries. Last year’s award winners included S3 Group, which was awarded Company of the Year; Séan Baker was named Person of the Year; and Aspire Technology took home the coveted Emerging Company of the Year title.

Bank of Ireland corporate banking director Donal Duffy said the awards are a solid platform for successful companies to showcase their business.

“They allow companies to demonstrate the breadth of innovation, vision and expertise in their businesses for their customers, employees and investors, as they continue to grow internationally,” Duffy said.

Leadership image via Shutterstock

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com