Categories & Sponsors

Exporter of the Year 2023

Sponsored by KPMG Ireland

• An overall Exporter of the Year Award for 2023 will be chosen by the judging panel from our 10 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 two 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 through the following pillars: innovation & growth focus; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; and organisational renewal & transformation.

Sustainable Trade Company of the Year, Platinum Sponsor

Sponsored by Trinity Executive Education, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin

To recognise the achievements of companies who are contributing to Ireland’s sustainability achievements whilst recognising global frameworks such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how this contribution has directly led to both their own and the export/import industry’s success.

• Open to all third-party logistic providers, integrators, freight transport companies, airlines, airports, ports, rail and shipping.
• 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 and operating in Ireland for two fiscal years.
• The company should be able to clearly explain their commitment to decouple economic and emissions growth as well as transition to a net zero society or other sustainability achievement. They must be able to demonstrate how they have created or partnered with impactful programmes to support their sustainability policies and practices in order to achieve targets.
• The company must be able to clearly demonstrate their sustainability KPIs, reporting framework and the impact their commitment is making on their financial or governance practices.

Food & Drink Exporter of the Year - Category Sponsor

For Origin Green certified only
Sponsored by Bord Bia

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 two 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; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; digital transformation; organisational renewal & transformation; and sustainable trade.

Life Sciences Exporter of the Year, Category Sponsor

Sponsored by Dixon 

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 two 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; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; digital transformation; organisational renewal & transformation; and sustainable trade.

High Potential Exporter Award, Category Sponsor

For Enterprise Ireland Clients only
Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland. 

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 one 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; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management, digital transformation; organisational renewal & transformation; and sustainable trade.

Sustainable Trade Exporter of the Year, Category Sponsor

Category Sponsorship Available

To recognise the achievements of companies that export manufactured goods or services who are contributing to achieving Ireland’s sustainability goals whilst recognising global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Companies must be able to show how this has directly led to their own export success.

• Open to companies that export manufactured goods or export services 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 two fiscal years.
• The company should be able to clearly explain their commitment to decouple economic and emissions growth as well as transition to a net zero society or other sustainability achievement. They must be able to demonstrate how they have created or partnered with impactful programmes to support their sustainability policies and practices in order to achieve ambitious targets.
• The company must be able to clearly demonstrate their sustainability KPIs, reporting framework and the impact their commitment is making on their financial or governance practices.

Private Irish Business of the Year

Sponsored by URBANVOLT

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 & transformation; digital transformation; sustainable trade and long-term management and governance development of the founders and/or their successors.

Manufacturing Exporter of the Year, Category Sponsor

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 two 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; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management, digital transformation; organisational renewal & transformation; and sustainable trade.

Logistics & Supply Chain Company of the Year, Category Sponsor

Sponsored by Thyme-IT

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 two 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; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management, digital transformation; organisational renewal & transformation; and sustainable trade.

Services Exporter of the Year, Category Sponsor

Sponsored by The Business Post

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 two 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; strategic development & execution; managing its strategic finance; change management; digital transformation; organisational renewal & transformation; and sustainable trade.

Export Innovation of the Year, Category Sponsor

Category Sponsorship Available

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 two 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.