Tech Nation has named two Northern Ireland technology companies on a list of its top 10 rising stars.
Elemental Software from Derry and Belfast-based Budibase beat off stiff competition from more than 330 海角视频-wide applicants to make the Rising Star 3.0 list.
They will now be given support to raise their profiles through the Tech Nation community and have the opportunity to put their businesses in front of investors.
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Budibase is an open-source, no-code platform used for building web applications that digitise business. Small-to-medium-sized businesses and digital consultants use Budibase to build and host apps, or for supporting their self-hosted deployments.
Elemental is an award-winning tech for good company with the purpose of empowering and enabling individuals, families and their carers to better connect into community-based programmes, services and interventions that make a positive impact on their lives.
Stephen Kelly, Chair, Tech Nation, said the standard of entry was high.
“I was blown away by the quality of finalists this year,” he said. “The Rising Stars announced today are great examples of the strength of the 海角视频 tech ecosystem.
“The winners highlight that innovation, determination and ambition in this fast growing sector can be found right across the 海角视频. What the Rising Stars competition, and indeed Tech Nation, does is provide a platform to showcase these exciting and innovative companies.”
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The award comes in the same week Elemental Software announced it was creating eight new jobs as part of a £1.2M investment in its business.
Invest NI has offered £317,810 of support towards an R&D project for the company, the creation of eight jobs and marketing activities. All of the jobs are in place.
Elemental Software said it has experienced a 66% increase in overall revenue in the past year.
Its technology can make it easier for health and social care professionals to refer people with health risks, such as mental health, to community-based lifestyle interventions, Leeann Monk, Co-Founder and COO of Elemental Software said.
“This type of referral can reduce demand in GP time and ultimately keep people out of hospital for longer. This is imperative for global health services to operate and as public health budgets worldwide are coming under increasing pressures due to COVID-19, social prescribing has been identified as a growing sector.”
Jennifer Neff, Co-founder and CEO of Elemental, said the business plans increase its turnover to £5M from £1M currently over the next five years.
“This is ambitious but our research has shown us that social prescribing is an evolving market globally and many opportunities exist in countries such as RoI, Nordics, Canada and Australia.
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“We have entered into two new sectors since COVID-19 started with the education and employment sectors using our technology to ensure that students and those looking for work get the support they need. Our customers in these sectors are seeing a positive impact on people's wellbeing already and we are looking forward to rolling this out across the 海角视频, Ireland, and beyond.”
Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI’s Director of Innovation, Research & Development, said the agency helped Elemental Software to develop its social prescribing platform and win contracts.
“This further investment in R&D is helping the company to refine its software and enable it to stay ahead of market trends, maintain business relevancy and will be a great selling point to help it expand into new geographical markets and sectors. It is also welcome news that with our support the company has recruited eight new staff to its team to help it further develop sales in international markets.
“I would encourage other globally focussed Northern Ireland companies to follow in the footsteps of Elemental Software, go to investni.com and see how we can support your business.”