eir has thrown the doors open for its 2016 Elevation Awards and is inviting Ireland’s fastest-growing companies to race in. Entries to the competition will be accepted until tomorrow, 22 September 2016.

The eir Elevation Awards puts the spotlight on innovation, international scalability, differentiation and strategic investment to the Irish economy to reward Ireland’s fastest-growing companies.

There are seven categories, comprising manufacturing, health & life sciences, social entrepreneurship, emerging fast company award, FMCG, services and technology. The winners will be announced at the eir Elevation Fast Company Awards Lunch in The Marker Hotel on 4 November 2016.

The eir Elevation criteria require that :

• The applicant can illustrate revenue growth for up to four consecutive years prior to application
• The applicant company is registered in Ireland and has been operating for no more than 15 years
• Revenue must be related to core trading income, excluding related party transaction
• The company must demonstrate achievements across: ideas/concept; innovation; revenue growth; market share; scalability and profitability

Last year’s winners included Voxpro, Rye River Brewing and FoodCloud. The eir Elevation prize fund consists of a media advertising package and attendance at the awards lunch.

Eavann Murphy, chief commercial officer with eir Business and one of the judges of the eir Elevation Awards, said: “2015 gave us the opportunity to award fast Irish businesses that we are really proud to recognise.

“John Moore, managing director of 3D4Medical, won Business Trailblazer for developing a business that develops apps for medical education and healthcare professionals using innovative 3D technology.”

Murphy added: “Shortly after awarding VoxPro our Grand Prix award, the business service outsourcing company based in Cork, which was established by entrepreneurs Dan and Linda Kiely, announced 400 jobs, increasing their workforce to 1,400.

“These are just two of the exciting stories of our successful 2015 winners operating on an international stage, and we look forward to shortlisting and awarding the fast businesses of 2016.”

Photo: L-R Eoin Goulding, Integrity 360; Isolde Johnson, Cool Beans; Eavann Murphy, eir, and Niamh Kirwan, FoodCloud (Pic: Maxwell Photography)