Cork,15 November 2012: Ireland's leading technology organisations were recognised today by it@cork, European Tech Cluster. Now in it's 6th year, the Leaders Awards acknowledge innovation and excellence across a number of categories spanning different sectors.

This years's winners included YouGetitBack.com (High Growth), PFH (Sustained Excellence), Crest Solutions (Research & Innovation) and Alanya Animal Health Monitoring (High Potential Start Up). HIQA, the Health and Information Quality Authority, received an award for the leading IT Department, while Scoil Mhuire na nGrast (Belgooly) was awarded the Excellence in Education Award.

"More than previous years, the indigenous sector performed extremely well this year in the Leaders Awards, and clearly demonstrates the calibre of innovation and technological distinction in Ireland. The Leaders Award winners are driving progress and excellence in the industry, and it@cork is delighted to recognise their achievements over the past year. Our IT Hub is thriving and making a significant contribution to the economy - we must continue to cultivate the IT industry to get us on the path to growth", said Denis Collins, Chair of it@cork, European Tech Cluster in his address to the 250 strong audience in the Maryborough Hotel & Spa.

John Wall, Chair of the Leaders Awards Committee added "There were some very exciting nominations to the Leaders Awards this year, and it is hugely positive to see exceptional progress in early stage companies as Alanya Animal Health and YouGetitBack.com as well as sustained excellence in well-established technology companies such as PFH".

In particular Scoil Mhuire na nGrast, who is also enrolled in it@cork's Adopt a School programme, was lauded for the way the school has embraced technology at every level. From interactive whiteboards, wireless networking in all classrooms, the establishment of an internet portal for students and their supporters, to the cloud computing solution used to streamline school administration processes, the school was complimented on it's progressive IT strategy. The school also provides laptops for usage by students to complete assignments in non-IT areas and is teaching it's students how to programme using the MIT SCRATCH system.

The it@cork team thanked the media partner, The Irish Examiner, and the event sponsors, Berkley Recruitment Group, CAVS, Enterprise Ireland, EMC, IBM, Trend Micro, KPMG, Maryborough Hotel & Spa, McKesson, Laya Healthcare, Smarttech.ie, Asystec and CAMEO Communications.

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it@cork Leaders Awards Winners 2012
High Growth Leaders Award - YouGetitBack.com
High Potential Start Up Award - Alanya Animal Health Monitoring
Sustained Excellence Leaders Award - PFH
Leaders Award for IT Department - HIQA
Leaders Award for Research & Innovation Project - Crest Solutions
Excellence in Education Award - Scoil Mhuire na nGrast, Belgooly