Finalists: Digital Business
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Athboy – A Tech Athboy Digital Hub
‘A Tech, Athboy Digital Hub’ offers remote working facilities in the local area, providing revenue for the centre and a service to the community. This digital ecosystem is inclusive, fosters innovation, creativity and sustainability. The website will make it easy to reserve spaces through an online booking system. Powered by digital technology, the hub plans to expand its existing facilities to further encourage remote working practices for all.
Ballinasloe – Online seminars and coaching for businesses and entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship is key to local economic growth. This group provides new entrepreneurs and developing businesses the opportunity to network, share knowledge and receive mentoring. By delivering online seminars and coaching they have inspired the community to launch their own businesses. Construction of a state-of-the-art digital hub; ‘Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub’ has started which will facilitate remote working which will attract people to the town, boosting economic growth.
Castlebar – Foodie Save – an App to reduce food waste
Foodie Save is a mobile App which aims to reduce food waste. It connects the public with local businesses who wish to sell the food they have left over at the end of the day. It is a mutually beneficial service because the food products are sold at a discounted price. The App makes it as simple as click – swipe – collect. They are looking to add a gamification rewards feature to the App which will reward users and it incorporate preventative food wasting tips in an interactive way. Foodie Save aims to operate in all small – medium towns across Ireland within the next 3 years.
Killorgin – RDI Hub Digital Business
The RDI hub was launched to facilitate the creation of new products, services and jobs in the South West region. It has transformed Kerry into a globally connected digital technology innovation, enterprise and skillset hotspot boosting economic growth. It runs numerous programmes including hackathons which resulted in Augmented Reality Apps for Kerry tourism; a STEM passport programme whose graduates gain a 50 Leaving Cert bonus; and ongoing supports for scaling companies to attract investment and create jobs.
Kinsale – Doing Business in Kinsale App
This App acts as the central hub for all things Kinsale. Through an interactive map feature, the community can pinpoint the locations of businesses, organisations and health services. It includes relevant topics from stakeholders in the community, keeping its residents up to date on current events. It allows employers to advertise positions and connect with potential employees. The App acts as a platform for connection, providing much needed positive messaging and regular user-friendly updates.
Meath – Mí Meath is a digital pre-paid card
Mí Meath is a digital pre-paid card which holders can exclusively use in County Meath to promote the shop-local initiative. It is a digitally reloadable card that can be spent both in-store and online. With an extensive retail database, card holders can see exactly where they can use the card through their website. The platform offers free advertising to local businesses which promotes shopping locally and community economic growth. It is a combination of a gift card and prepaid card, merged with digital online solution that work seamlessly to provide a simple, secure, on-trend user experience.
Milltown – EdTech Ireland – an online hub to build a thriving edtech ecosystem
The Irish Education Technology industry is facing many challenges including access to funding, increased regulation and policy issues. EdTech Ireland is a representative body for the industry which was set up to address these issues by providing an online hub for those involved. Through its activities, EdTech Ireland seeks to build a thriving edtech ecosystem which develops digital solutions for education.