Derry-based Elemental Software has been named a winner in the Tech Nation Rising Stars 3.0 competition, which celebrates innovative tech scale-ups across the UK.
The tech-for-good firm was selected out of over 330 applicants, and contest judges said the company was chosen due to its "strong value proposition given the pandemic, integration of the major clinical systems, extensive industry recognition and female founders with relevant experience".
Founded by Derry entrepreneurs and former community development workers, Jennifer Neff and Leeann Monk-Ozgul, Elemental Software provides technical infrastructure and expertise for the social prescribing model of care to be established, grown and measured.
Social prescribing is the term used to describe a movement that has been proven to increase a person’s wellbeing and reduce demand on GP practices and emergency departments.
RELATED: Elemental: What is social prescribing and how is it helping the COVID-19 pandemic?
Elemental currently helps to connect over 75,000 people across the UK and Ireland into vital support and activities in their local community.
The software firm has grown its team by 63% in the past year, and works with healthcare trusts, local councils, community and voluntary sector organisations, housing associations and prisons.
Co-founder Jennifer Neff said: "Winning Rising Stars really shows all the hard work, determination, and all the passion that goes into Elemental, especially during this past year.
"Throughout, our focus has remained on our primary mission, halting health inequalities whilst keeping our business going during the pandemic.
"We have seen a dramatic increase in the adoption of Elemental across the UK and Ireland and as a result we've created more jobs and are empowering more people”.
RELATED: Tech Craic: Elemental Software's Jennifer Neff - How social prescribing can help during pandemic
Fellow co-founder Leeann Monk-Ozgul added that the "dramatic increase in the number of social prescriptions being made since Covid-19 has underlined the social prescribing model of care’s vital role in helping thousands of people cope with the added impact of the pandemic.
"We've an exciting R&D (research and development) roadmap that is helping Elemental to maintain our relevance, stay ahead of market trends and expand into new geographical markets and sectors," she concluded.
Gary Davidson, Investment Lead at Tech Nation said: "It brings me so much joy to see Elemental be crowned as a Tech Nation Rising Star winner.
"It’s a real testament to the team’s ambition to scale and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”
Earlier this week, Elemental announced an Invest NI-supported investment of £1.2m to develop its business and create eight new jobs.
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