Categories & Sponsors

Exporter of the Year 2026

Sponsored by our Platinum Sponsor KPMG Ireland

The overall Exporter of the Year Award for 2026 will be chosen by the judging panel from our 12 category winners. The Award will be presented in recognition of the very best export achievement in what has become an ever more competitive international marketplace.

Export growth and profitability over the past 2 years
Innovation, sustainability and excellence in any aspect of international trade
Growth in percentage of export sales compared to total sales
Extent to which value-added activities are carried out in Ireland
Obstacles overcome in getting into international markets
The company should be able to differentiate itself by highlighting its export success and further potential across the following pillars: innovation & growth focus; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; and organisational renewal & capability building; digital transformation & AI adoption.

Export Innovation of the Year

Sponsored by our Platinum Sponsor Trinity Executive Education

To recognise companies whose unique innovation has directly led to export success.

Open to all companies which export goods or services developed in Ireland and where the specific innovation has been substantially developed in Ireland.
The company must be in business for 2 fiscal years, currently exporting to one or more countries and have export sales of at least 30% of total turnover.
The company must be able to clearly explain the nominated innovation and how it has directly led to additional success in international markets. The innovation can be related to a product, service, process, or organisation. Evidence of originality, excellence and sustainability is also required.
The company should be able to differentiate itself by highlighting its export success and further potential through a minimum of three out of the following pillars: innovation & growth focus; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management, digital transformation; organisational renewal & transformation; and sustainable trade.

Manufacturing Exporter of the Year

Sponsored by Ace Express Freight

To recognise the export achievement and exceptional performance of manufacturing companies that produce and market products.

Open to all exporting companies involved in general non-food, non-pharma exports and production.
Open to companies in Ireland or with an Irish base/subsidiary involved in the activities mentioned above. Judges will only consider the export related activities of the Irish based entity.
Nominee must be in business in Ireland for a minimum of 2 fiscal years.
Nominee must be exporting and have export sales of at least 15% of total turnover and must clearly demonstrate export success.
Special attention will be paid to systems or processes employed.
The company should be able to differentiate itself by highlighting its export success and further potential through a minimum of three out of the following pillars: innovation & growth focus (including AI and data-driven decision-making); strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; organisational renewal & capability building; digital transformation & AI adoption; and sustainable trade.

Private Irish Business of the Year

Sponsored by An Post Commerce

To distinguish the exceptional performance and continuous growth of Irish privately owned and family-owned businesses either in the services or manufacturing sectors.

Open to all Irish privately and family-owned businesses operating from Ireland or with an Irish base/subsidiary out of which the activity in review is being conducted.
The company must be in business for at least 15 fiscal years.
The company must be able to demonstrate how their business has overcome market challenges, built long term stable relationships with their customers, and can demonstrate an innovative sustainability and growth strategy.
Special attention will be paid to business processes, process innovation, operational excellence, succession planning, governance and management, diversity, values, job creation, active participation in their local community, and digital transformation.
Judges will consider how each company has established and developed its success and further potential through a minimum of three out of the following pillars: strategic development & execution; provisions for change management; organisational renewal & capability building; digital transformation & AI adoption; sustainable trade and long-term management and governance development of the founders and/or their successors.

Sustainable Food & Drink Exporter of the Year

Sponsored by Bord Bia
For Origin Green certified only

To recognise the export achievement of companies in the food and drink sector and to encourage new product development and innovative packaging in the sector.

Open to companies that produce and market products and who operate directly from the Republic of Ireland. Products that have been imported or rebranded and repackaged are not eligible to enter.
Nominee must be in business for 2 fiscal years and the product must have been introduced to the industry or market within the last five years.
Nominee must have export sales of approximately 15% of total turnover.
The research and technology must have primarily taken place in the Republic of Ireland.
Entrants must be verified members of Origin Green.
Judges will consider sustainability, product innovation, process innovation and operational excellence.
The company should be able to differentiate itself by highlighting its export success and further potential through the following pillars: innovation & growth focus (including AI and data-driven decision-making); strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; organisational renewal capability building; digital transformation & AI adoption; and sustainable trade.

Seafood Business of the Year

Sponsored by Bord Iascaigh Mhara

To recognise the achievements of #seafood exporting companies with a focus on innovative product development or market access initiatives.

Open to all seafood exporting companies in the Republic of Ireland.
Company must be in business for a minimum of 2 fiscal years.
Company must have export sales of approximately 15% or more of total turnover.
Judges will consider sustainability, product innovation, market access innovation and operational excellence.
Companies should be able to demonstrate new product innovation (including AI and data-driven decision-making), a commitment to sustainability and novel, or innovative logistical and/or packing solutions to access new markets.

Export Compliance Leadership Award (NEW)

Sponsored by DHL Global Forwarding

To recognise Irish exporting companies that demonstrate exceptional governance, risk leadership and compliance excellence as central enablers of their export success. This award celebrates organisations that embed internationally recognised frameworks — including UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ESG reporting standards, human rights due diligence, anti-bribery and anti-corruption practices, or robust trade compliance into their export strategy, operations and decision-making.

Open to companies exporting goods or services from Ireland or with an Irish base/subsidiary engaged in export activities. Judges will only consider the export-related activities of the Irish-based entity.
The company must have been operational in Ireland for a minimum of 2 fiscal years.
The company must be currently exporting to one or more countries.
Judges will evaluate how the company’s governance and risk framework has been integrated into export growth, including alignment to recognised standards such as GRI, ISSB, ISO 37001, ISO 27001, GDPR, SDGs, UNGPs, OECD Guidelines, and relevant trade compliance regulations such as EUDR/CBAM and export controls and sanctions compliance.
Judges will also consider evidence of responsible supply chain practices, including due diligence for human rights, modern slavery prevention and responsible sourcing, and how these have supported access to international markets.
The company should demonstrate the impact of governance and risk leadership through at least three of the following pillars: governance & leadership aligned to international standards and ethical best practice; risk strategy & enterprise risk management supporting export resilience; compliance excellence in trade controls, customs, data protection and anti-corruption; SDG & ESG integration with measurable impact and transparent reporting; supply chain due diligence and responsible sourcing; digital enablement and risk analytics (including AI-enabled compliance tools); resilience & adaptive capability in response to emerging global risks.

Life Sciences Exporter of the Year

Sponsored by Dixon International Logistics

To recognise the achievements of companies in the life sciences sector which incorporates pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, MedTech, digital health, and bio-pharmaceutical companies.

Open to all exporting companies in Ireland or with an Irish base/subsidiary involved in the activities mentioned above. Judges will only consider the export related activities of the Irish based entity.
Nominee must be in business in Ireland for a minimum of 2 fiscal years.
Nominee must demonstrate strategy employed over a 3-5 year period and any pioneering activities.
Nominee must be exporting and have export sales of at least 15% of total turnover and must clearly demonstrate export success.
The company should be able to differentiate itself by demonstrating current and future strategy, highlighting its export success and further potential through a minimum of three the following pillars: innovation, growth focus and export success (including AI and data-driven decision-making); strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; organisational renewal & capability building; digital transformation & AI adoption; and sustainable trade.

High Potential Exporter Award

Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland
For Enterprise Ireland Clients only

To identify an early stage exporting company which has surpassed its potential and is demonstrating success and commitment in one or more markets.

Open to all exporting companies in Ireland or with an Irish base/subsidiary involved in the activities mentioned above. Judges will only consider the export related activities of the Irish based entity.
The company must be in business for at least 1 year.
The company must be between year 1 and year 5 of its initial export journey
The company must be currently exporting to one or more countries and have export sales of at least 10% of total turnover.
Judges will consider product innovation, process innovation, sustainability, and excellence.
The company must be able to demonstrate its export strategy plan and campaign, including plans for the future and be able to differentiate itself by highlighting its export success and further potential through a minimum of three out of the following pillars: innovation & growth focus (including AI and data-driven decision-making); strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; organisational renewal & capability building; digital transformation & AI adoption; and sustainable trade.

All-Island Trade Award

Sponsored by InterTradeIreland

To recognise the achievements of businesses in developing and increasing trade and economic co-operation between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Open to businesses, including social businesses, based in Ireland, Northern Ireland or with a presence in both jurisdictions.
Open to small to medium sized businesses (meaning it has fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than £50m / €60m)
The business must be registered on the island of Ireland.
The business must be trading for a minimum of 3 years.
The business must be able to differentiate itself by having a clear competitive advantage, particular product or niche service that meets a specific need in the cross-border market.
Must be able to demonstrate success in establishing trade relationships in Northern Ireland and Ireland with significant sales to the opposite jurisdiction. Delivering public contracts will also be considered sales.
The business must be able to demonstrate how their turnover has increased over the past two years as a consequence of increased trade in the cross-border market.
The business must demonstrate their cross-border ambition for the future e.g. how their current success has/will help them springboard off the island.

SME Exporter of the Year (NEW)

Sponsored by Moffett Automation

To recognise the export achievements of smaller Irish enterprises which are in the early or development stages of exporting, or whose scale of export activity is still emerging, yet demonstrate strong ambition, innovation and capability in international markets.

Open to companies exporting goods or services from Ireland or with an Irish base/subsidiary involved in the activities above. Judges will only consider the export related activities of the Irish based entity.
The company must be in business in Ireland for a minimum of 2 fiscal years and be eligible for or supported by the Local Enterprise Office network.
The company must be currently exporting to one or more countries and have export sales of at least 5% of total turnover.
The company must have fewer than 50 employees and a turnover of less than €50m.
Judges will consider evidence of export ambition, early-stage growth, market entry strategy, operational resilience and scalability, with particular attention to how the business leverages digital tools and AI-enabled solutions to enhance competitiveness, efficiency, customer engagement or market insight.
The company should be able to differentiate itself by highlighting its export success and future potential through a minimum of three out of the following pillars: innovation & growth focus (including AI and data-driven decision-making); strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; digital transformation & AI adoption; organisational renewal & capability building; and sustainable trade.

Exporter–Logistics Partnership of the Year (NEW)

Category Sponsorship Available

To recognise an outstanding partnership between an Irish exporter and a logistics company that has materially enhanced export performance, market access, and operational resilience through effective collaboration, innovation, and execution.

Open to Irish exporters and their logistics partners involved in the delivery, coordination, or management of international supply chain and export operations. Judges will assess the impact of the partnership on the exporter’s international performance.
The partnership must demonstrate a minimum of 12 months’ active collaboration with measurable export-related outcomes.
Judges will recognise excellence across a wide range of logistics and supply chain activities, including but not limited to: fulfilment, transport, warehousing, customs,
supply chain coordination, integration of multiple service providers, and strategic logistics management.
Judges will consider evidence of joint planning, performance improvement, innovation and scalability, including the use of digital platforms, data analytics and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency, reliability or customer outcomes.
The partnership should demonstrate impact across a minimum of three of the following areas: export growth or market expansion; supply chain efficiency and cost management; service reliability and resilience; digital transformation, AI or automation; sustainability and responsible trade; risk management and compliance; and strategic alignment and long-term value creation.

Logistics & Supply Chain Company of the Year

Category Sponsorship Available

To recognise the outstanding achievement of a company in supporting the growth of Irish exports in the area of logistics and supply chain management.

Open to all third-party logistic providers, integrators, freight transport companies, air and maritime companies.
Open to companies in Ireland or with an Irish base/subsidiary involved in the activities mentioned above. Judges will only consider the activities of the Irish based entity.
The company must be in business for 2 fiscal years and have launched a new product/service/initiative to the industry in the last two years.
The company must demonstrate exceptional performance in supporting the export industry and a strong customer focus.
Special attention will be paid to systems or processes employed.
The company should be able to differentiate itself by highlighting its export success and further potential through a minimum of three out of the following pillars: customer solutions; adaptability to external factors; innovation & growth focus (including AI and data-driven decision-making); strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; organisational renewal & capability building; digital transformation & AI adoption; and sustainable trade.

Services Exporter of the Year

Category Sponsorship Available

To identify and highlight companies who have excelled at selling services overseas.

Open but not exclusive to the following sectors: technology, legal, advisory, professional services, financial services provider, banks, fintech, leasing, HR and recruitment businesses. This category is not open to logistics companies or freight forwarders.
Open to all companies that export services from Ireland or with an Irish base/subsidiary involved in the activities mentioned above. Judges will only consider the services export related activities of the Irish based entity. The service must primarily take place in/be provided out of Ireland. The company can have operations conducted abroad where this is part of their delivery of services from Ireland.
The company must be in business for 2 fiscal years, currently exporting to one or more countries and have export sales of at least 15% of total turnover. Special attention will be paid to the ability to open and penetrate new export markets.
The company should be able to differentiate itself by highlighting its export success and further potential through a minimum of three out of the following pillars: innovation & growth focus (including AI and data-driven decision-making); strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; organisational renewal & capability building; digital transformation & AI adoption; and sustainable trade.