Matrix is sponsoring the UTV Business Eye award for R&D to find the most innovative research and development project in Northern Ireland this year.

The closing date for entries will be Friday, 23rd October, 2015 and judging will take place shortly afterwards. Companies can enter online by visiting utvawards.businesseye.co.uk. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 26th November 2015 at the Culloden Estate & Spa.

Hundreds of entries are anticipated across a revised line-up of 16 different categories and the winners in each case will be chosen by a panel of judges including Flybe’s Regional Manager North, Andrea Hayes, UTV’s Business Editor Jamie Delargy, Business Eye Editor Richard Buckley, and Irish News Business Editor Gary McDonald.

Richard Buckley, Editor of Business Eye says: “These Awards have grown phenomenally over the past number of years, and now that the economy is very clearly on the upward track, we’re expecting an even better year in 2015. We’re delighted to be working with UTV and our lead sponsors Flybe this year.

“There is always a real appetite for celebrating the achievement of our leading companies as well as our top business leaders, and we’re confident that this year’s entries will once again be very strong right across the 16 different categories.”

The following categories are available this year. Entry information requirements are explained under each category. To enter a category, just go to the Business Eye website, complete the specific online form and submit.

Business Personality of the Year Award

The Northern-Ireland based business personality who in the opinion of the judging panel has contributed most to the local business sector and the local economy as a whole in the last 12 months.

Company of the Year

The Northern Ireland-based private sector company which has made the biggest positive impact across the spectrum over the past 12 month period in the view of the judges for reasons which may include business and/or employment growth, acquisitions or other deals, export achievement, etc.

Young Business Personality of the Year

This brand new category sets out to identify the achievements of Northern Ireland’s young (35 years old or under) entrepreneurs and business leaders, with entrants able to demonstrate clear achievement and dynamism in their chosen field.

International Award

This award is open to organisations trading internationally from Northern Ireland, and will recognise the most important achievement/contribution by such a company outside of Northern Ireland during the period, whether in terms of export sales, overseas expansion/investment or acquisition.

Business / Education Award

An award which will recognise the best of business education. The award can be for companies or public sector organisations providing education for business programmes, or for private sector organisations forging links with education bodies.

Tourism / Hospitality Project of the Year

The individual project within Northern Ireland which, in the view of the panel, has done most to raise standards in the hospitality industry and to attract more tourists to the region.

Green Company of the Year

This award sets out to recognise achievement by a private sector Northern Ireland organisation towards the wider environmental cause. This may focus on a wide programme of environment measures, or one specific initiative which improves a company’s environmental contribution.

Employer of the Year

The Northern Ireland company or organisation which, in the view of the judges, has done the most to create a balanced, satisfying and fulfilling working environment for its employees.

Fast Growth Business of the Year

The Northern Ireland-based business of any size which can demonstrate a substantial growth in sales/turnover and/or employment levels over the past 12-18 months.

SME of the Year

The small to medium-sized enterprise (up to 100 employees) which, in the opinion of the judges, can demonstrate significant business growth over the past year to 18 months across any sector of the local economy.

Research & Development Project of the Year

Open to companies and organisations which can show clear evidence of an innovative research and development project either on an in-house basis or on behalf of clients.

Best Digital/Online Company of The Year

The company or organisation which has demonstrated the most successful and most innovative use of online/digital technology to advance its business aims. Entrants can include organisations which have successfully adapted to online/digital from more traditional foundations as well as pure online/digital enterprises.

Agri Food Innovation Award

A new award category reflecting the strength and growth of the Northern Ireland agri-food and food processing sectors. The awards sets out to recognise the organisation which can demonstrate outstanding innovation in a sector where innovation is crucial to business sector. This can apply to new product innovation, innovation in manufacturing process or innovation in product marketing. Evidence of commerical success or commercial potential as a resuilt of innovation should be demonstrated.

Foreign Direct Investment Project of the Year

A new category for the UTV Business Eye Awards 2015 recognising the recent foreign direct investment project which, in the opinion of the judging panel, has brought the most benefit, in terms of employment or other relevant factors, to the wider Northern Ireland economy and business community

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award will honour a leading personality from the wider Northern Ireland business community who has made a significant and lasting contribution to business and the economy in the region.

Most Innovative Company of the Year

With innovation at the heart of many NI-based enterprises, this award sets out to recognise the organisation which, in the view of the judges, exemplifies best practice in product and/or service innovation.