THE Herald today reveals the finalists in the 2018 Digital Business Awards.

Now in their 10th year, the awards, held in association with DigitalBoost, will once more highlight the achievements made by Scotland’s leading digital technology companies.

There are eleven contested categories in this year’s event, covering a broad range of digital expertise across the public and private sectors.

With a record number of entries this year, the finalists have been whittled down to organisations and agencies from towns and cities around the country.

This year’s event, which is also supported by Business Gateway, Engage Recruitment and SQA, culminates with a prize-giving ceremony at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday October 10.

Hugh Lightbody, chief officer at the Business Gateway National Unit, sponsor of the E-Commerce Award, said: “The DigitalBoost programme has now reached thousands of businesses in Scotland, helping them learn, develop and implement new digital skills and strategies.

“The quality of entrants to this year’s Herald Digital Business Awards illustrates just how well digital media and technology is being used by Scotland’s business community.

“We are delighted that DigitalBoost is headline sponsor again this year and congratulate every finalist for reaching this stage of the competition.”

Anne-Marie Hamill, managing director of Engage Recruitment, sponsor of the Digital Agency Award, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this year’s awards for the first time.

“We’re excited for all of those shortlisted, not just in the Digital Agency Category that we are sponsoring.

“I am very much looking forward to my first Herald Scottish Digital Business Awards and to meeting some of the clients that we are Engaged with – I’m assured it’s a superb evening and must attend event.”

Martyn Ware, head of assessment futures at SQA, which is sponsoring the Education & Training Award, added: “SQA is delighted to be sponsoring the Education and Training Award. I’d like to congratulate all the finalists and look forward to recognising the innovative ways that they use digital platforms to enhance education and training.”

Since its inception in 2008, the prestigious awards scheme has been recognising the success of organisations of all sizes in seizing opportunities offered by digital technology and the internet.

The winners of the 2017 Digital Business Awards were DYW Glasgow ( Social Media), Ayrshire College, (Public Sector), Encompass Corporation (Business to Business), Wholesale Domestic (E-Commerce), Simon Community Scotland (Charity and Social Enterprise), xDesign & Whitespace (Mobile Application), LUX (Consumer Engagement), Front page (Education & training), Carole Logan of Equator (Digital Professional) and Screemedia (Digital Agency).

For more information, including how to attend the awards, visit: http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/digibiz/ or contact Kirsty Loughlin on 0141 302 6016.

The short-list:

Business to Business Award

DigitalParade

Freetobook

The Digital Age

xDesign

E-Commerce Award - Supported by Business Gateway

Ketchup Digital

MadeBrave

The Lane Agency

Wholesale Domestic

Charity and Social Enterprise Award

999 Design

Blackwood Homes

Loreburn Housing Association

Screenmedia

Public Sector Award

We are Snook

DigitalBoost

Horisk for Scotland’s Rock Art Project

Best Mobile Application Award (inc Games)

CU Soar

Find A Player

Greenhill Design & Technology

Screenmedia

Consumer Engagement Award

Blue2 Digital – Mary’s Kings Close

Screenmedia

The Lane Agency

The Podcast Host

Education & Training Award – Supported by SQA

BOLT Learning

Giglets Education

Screenmedia

SmartSTEMs

Student Award

Scott Boobis

Zulaikha Khokar

Best Use of Social Media Award

DigitalParade

Friends of Willowbank School

Halls of Scotland

MadeBrave

The Lane Agency

Digital Professional of the Year Award

Blue2 Digital – Andrew Conway

Business Gateway – Jacqueline MacDougall

Hydrogen – Daniel Rae

Hydrogen – Mike Scott

Digital Agency Award – Supported by ENGAGE Recruitment

After Digital

Equator

Screenmedia

Storm ID

The Lane Agency

xDesign