“This is not the Silicon Docks, This is the Dublin Docks” say Colm Lyon “This is a wonderful event and a fitting tribute to the hard work and persistence of all of you and, indeed, every business in the Docklands” said Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD as he opened the 5th Docklands Business Awards.

Gillian Dowling from the Gibson and Laura O’Donovan from the Clayton at the #DBFAwards.

“The Dublin Docklands area has proven to be a very attractive destination for many of the top companies in the world in recent years” continued the Minister. “The potential for the Dublin Docklands is massive. I know that the members of this forum have great ambition for this area as a great place to work, a great place to live and a great place to visit. I know that this ambition is matched by the ambition of public bodies including Dublin City Council, the IDA, and NAMA.”

Winner. Johnny McElhinney and wife Clodagh.

The 2015 Docklands Business Awards (#DBFAwards) highlighted business startups, innovators, lifestyle leaders and growth in Dublin’s Docklands. On November, Thursday 26^th the Docklands Business Forum hosted this year’s #DBFAwards Ceremony in the Gibson Hotel.

The aim of the #DBFAwards is to recognise the achievements of businesses operating in Dublin’s Docklands and encourage the ongoing development of the area to drive further innovation and development in what has become known as Dublin’s Silicon Docks and highlights the contribution business makes to Dublin and the national economy.

Awards are presented across a range of categories including Stratup, Lifestyle, Innovation, Professional Services, Business of the Year and Responsible Business. Nominees at this year’s #DBFAwards include well recognised brands and organisations as well as smaller entrepreneurial companies.

The winners included Accenture in the Innovation category for providing cutting edge solutions and transforming industries across the globe. Also short listed in this category were the CoderDojo Foundation, Locatible and Bank of Ireland.

Colm Lyon and Michael Noonan enjoying the buzz at this year’s Docklands Business Awards.

Konnect Again won the Startup Award for developing an exciting online service that will transform the future of alumni relations, using social integration to unleash the power of alumni networks. Also shortlisted in this category were Dogpatch, Hiri and Wake Dock.

Cross border body Waterways Ireland was the inaugural Lifestyle Award winner for developing the Grand Canal Basin into an on water amenity right in the heart of Dublin. Also short listed in this category were CHQ Building, Surf Dock and Beggars Bush Alliance.

Before the party! This year’s winners at the Docklands Business Awards

First time winner Google took home the Exporter of Goods and Services Award for offering one of the most innovative tech services on a global basis with their European, Middle East and African base housed right here in Dublin. Also short listed in this category were HubSpot and Ancestry.com. This is the first year that all short listed nominees in the export category were from Docklands online services sector.

Alan Robinson, CEO, Docklands Business Forum.

Colm Lyon took away the Outstanding Achievement Award. Colm was the founder of Realex Payments which he sold last March to Global Payments for €115M. Accepting his award the payments entrepreneur spoke of the future of Docklands and his concern that the planning was not catering sufficiently for startups and SMEs. “This is not the silicon Docks, it is the Dublin Docks” he said emphasising the need to develop for Dublin’s commercial requirements.

Alan Robinson, CEO of the Docklands Business Forum, said:  “The awards are a key platform to highlight the activity and innovation taking place in the Docklands area but also an important forum to underline the potential the area still holds to drive economic development and growth, whilst at the same time improving the local area and making Dublin an event more dynamic and exciting city to live in and visit.”

 
 
 
Other winners include; 
Enterprise Award; Dogpatch Labs
Professional Services Award AIB Bank IFSC
Foodie Award Herb Street
Responsible Business Award Central Bank of Ireland
Public Service Award Dublin City Council Events Unit
Business Forum Member Award Johnny McElhinney
Local Business Award Beggars Bush Business Alliance