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Diversity in Tech Awards in association with Microsoft for Startups receive over 300 nominations from over 24 countries

Multi-nationals Hewlett Packard Enterprise, NASA and Ernst & Young are among the finalists for this year’s Diversity in Tech Awards (DITA) which takes place virtually on Tuesday the 10th November 2020 at 5 pm GMT. The ceremony, which acknowledges and celebrates Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DE&I) advocates and organisations that have made impactful strides in diversity and inclusion in the workplace and community has moved to an online format due to COVID-19.

Over 300 submissions were received from 24 countries all over the world from Australia to China to Nigeria to the United States of America and many more. The open and inclusive event features over 14 categories, including women in tech and diversity in tech awards. The LGBTQ+ Inclusion Award, the Cultural Inclusion Award, the Tech Leader Award, the Trailblazer Award, the Digital Transformation Award are just some of the categories featured.

Judges include Fig O’Reilly, Datanaut at NASA, Shinjini Das, CEO at Das Media Group, Gearoid Kearney, CEO of myAccessHub, Gary Stewart, CEO & Co-Founder of The Nest, Sarah Cunningham, Vice President at Mastercard Dublin Tech Hub among others.

The panel of expert judges consisting of 15 digital thinkers, creators, and innovators, DE&I experts, narrowed down all the submissions to the finalists which include some of the largest organisations in the world such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, NASA, Oracle, BBC, Citi and EY to new and emerging organisations putting their stamp on the world including Soapbox Labs, Access Brazil, M4Jam, Uvera Inc, Pioneera and CogniCor Technologies Ltd.

Please see the complete list of finalists below:

Now in its third year, the Diversity in Tech Awards which celebrates DE&I advocates globally doing impactful work in their organisations and communities, will also include exciting keynote speakers, panels, and fireside discussions. Speakers include Daisy Auger-Dominguez, Chief People Officer at Vice Media Group, Andrew Macadam, Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups Europe, Furkan Karayal, Founder and CEO of Diversein.com and Abadesi Osunsade, Founder of the Hustle Crew and co-host of Techish podcast. Attendees include a wide range of global DE&I advocates, international tech executives, VIPs, government representatives, and nominees.

The Diversity In Tech Awards are organised by the Dublin Tech Summit team, with tickets to the virtual ceremony free of charge. For further information please visit: https://diversityintechawards.com/

Speaking about the global reach of this year’s awards, Tracey Carney, Managing Director of the Diversity in Tech Awards  said:

“Back in June 2020 when we launched the awards, we knew we were working on something special. Our entire team is so humbled by the reception this event has received internationally. To receive over 300 nominates from over 24 countries is a fantastic acknowledgment of the passion and persistence of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion advocates everywhere.  One of the nicest parts of our job is letting someone know they have been nominated, it means so much to them to get this recognition. The role in taking the time to nominate is so important and so greatly appreciated by all our nominees,”

Speaking about the awards, Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups Europe, Andrew Macadam, said:

“Microsoft’s mission is all about empowering every person and company on the planet to achieve more and this partnership is totally aligned with empowering people that are making a real impact and progress to encompass D&I in their culture. 

The most successful companies are ones that embed diversity and inclusiveness into their culture from the start. Our role is to support B2B startups that are looking to scale and grow and become world leaders, and we recognise that great companies can come from anywhere, regardless of their background. 

I see the Diversity in Tech Awards not only recognising, but amplifying the voices of founders and companies that are under-represented at the moment. These awards help everyone understand the opportunity and impact of a diverse and inclusive culture and we are excited to be working in partnership with them.”