Written by the team at Digital DNA
The very best of the Northern Ireland tech community were recognised at a very different type of awards ceremony at the end of August (27 August).
Over 1,000 people from all around the world tuned in to the online edition of the Digital DNA Awards, which were originally scheduled to take place back in March. It had been hoped the annual awards would have taken place in person.
But with ongoing restrictions around large gatherings, the always innovative team at Digital DNA made the decision in early August to take them online, in what has been described as a “uniquely different” awards ceremony for the post-Covid world.
The annual awards are regarded as the premier tech awards in Northern Ireland, recognising the success of individuals, projects and companies across 14 categories. The previous awards ceremonies had taken place from the iconic St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.
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But for 2020, the organisers created a purpose-built TV studio from where they announced the winners to an audience that included viewers from across Ireland and the UK, as well as France, Germany, Portugal, Mexico and the USA.
Simon Bailie, CEO of Digital DNA said: “The Digital DNA Awards are incredibly important for the NI Tech sector, so we were determined that they went ahead in some shape or form.
“Winning a Digital DNA Award is an important statement for many of our indigenous and international tech businesses as it provides further validation that they are best in class in their industry.
“This year may have looked different to other years, however the strength and depth of the nominees and winners has been as strong as ever and it once again proves why Northern Ireland is a leading global tech destination.”
The top accolade of the evening was the Digital DNA Company of the Year award. The highly coveted award is decided on a combination of the judges' votes, as well as a public vote and features the top companies from across Northern Ireland.
This year's Company of the Year Award was picked up by Signifyd. The San Jose-based company specialises in ecommerce fraud protection and opened its global R&D centre in Belfast in late 2018 and now employ almost 100 people at the city centre site.
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Signifyd picked up Company of the Year 2020
Trevor McCullough, site lead for the Belfast operation said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won this award, especially as the Digital DNA Awards are so highly regarded by the tech community in Northern Ireland. To be featured in the shortlist was worthy of celebration as the tech sector in NI features some of the best tech talent in the world, but to walk away with the top prize is just incredible.
“It's testament to all the hard work from the team in Belfast and also recognizes the significant contribution they make on a global scale to our operations. A massive well done to everyone involved in making the awards happen and in these very strange times. But it was an added bonus that our colleagues in California were able to tune in and to share in the celebrations with our colleagues in Belfast."
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Sean Devlin from MCS Group, the events headline sponsor, gave particular praise to the organisers saying: “We have been delighted to work with Digital DNA for the past number of years to bring these important awards to life and every year they keep getting bigger and better.
“2020 has been challenging for all of us so for Digital DNA to present these awards in the format they have has been incredible to watch and to be part of. It’s also been fantastic to see so many great companies and individuals from right across Northern Ireland recognised, each of them are helping to advance the local economy, so it is only right that we celebrate the diverse range of talent Northern Ireland has.”
Sean Devlin from MCS Group, Digital DNA's headline sponsor
Other big winners on the night included US insurance giant, Allstate, who walked away with two awards for Workplace of the Year and a Business Personality of the Year Award for Keith Lippert, who leads the global cyber security function from Belfast.
It was also a good day for non-Belfast based tech companies. Derry-based Elemental Software were crowned small tech company of the year. And there was further reason to celebrate for the social prescribing platform as their founders, Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, also picked up a highly commended award as founders of the year.
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Leading sports tech company and Newry-based STATSports picked up a win for App of the Year.
AIM-listed First Derivatives made it a double for the border city as they picked up Large Tech Company of the Year. Commenting on the award, Seamus Keating, CEO of First Derivatives said: “We are delighted to be named Large Technology Company Of The Year.
“This award is a recognition of the dedication and expertise of our employees, and the value that our market-leading streaming analytics technology brings to our customers who operate in a range of industries across the world. It is also a fitting tribute to our founder, the late Brian Conlon, who would have been very proud of this moment.”
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First Derivatives honoured its late founder, Brian Conlon, when accepting the Large Tech Company of the Year award
In addition to the 14 awards, the annual event also recognises the achievements of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the growth of the tech sector in Northern Ireland and who has achieved significant success on a global scale. The 2020 Global Recognition Award was presented to Danny Moore, President and CEO of leading financial technology firm, Options Technology.
Mr Moore said: “Digital DNA, like Options, has always promoted innovation, technology and business growth, nurturing the brightest minds and talent in the sector. I am honoured to be recognised by a community that shares our key values and has done so much to support technology and business growth for Belfast and beyond.”
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Danny is highly regarded and well known within the NI tech community as a Wall Street technology entrepreneur, with accomplishments ranging from leading the sale of Wombat Financial Software to NYSE Euronext for $200m aged 35 in 2008 to winning an Oscar in 2012 as a producer of “The Shore”.
Danny also founded the Robin Hood Project within Options in March 2020, providing direct action to support teams in Covid-19 frontline hospitals and has helped raise over £250,000 for frontline medical staff in Belfast, London and New York.
The Digital DNA Awards 2020 were streamed on 27 August and can be viewed on-demand by visiting www.digitaldna.tech.
