Sonru’s Edward Hendrick  has been shortlisted for the Innovation Award at the Irish Internet Association’s Net Visionary Awards 2010,  the winner of which will be announced at the IIA Congress on May 20^th.

The judging panel shortlisted five companies for the much coveted Innovation Award but there can only be one winner but the good news is you can help. The winner will be chosen by public vote, and Sonru are asking for your support by casting a vote for them online at http://www.iia.ie/net-visionary/vote/6 . It’s free to vote and registration is not required.

Edward Hendrick, Founder & Director of Product Development of Sonru commenting on being shortlisted said ‘Everything we’ve achieved in the past 18 months has been the result of client and peer feedback which has fed directly into product development, we’re now inviting our customers, contacts and friends to voice their hugely positive feedback again but this time in the public arena.’

This will be the third accolade for Sonru in the past 2 months having won the Bank of Ireland Bright Ideas Challenge Grand Final held in the House of Lords, College Green, Dublin on March 3^rd and the Innovate!2010 Dublin Pitch Slam, hosted by Microsoft BizSpark and Enterprise Ireland on March 8^th.  Fergal O’Byrne, CEO of Sonru added ‘Winning these awards is a tremendous validation of both our business model and our products. We look forward to capitalising on this and furthering our global ambitions.”

Sonru is an automated online video tool. It has applications within the Recruitment, Education, Training and CRM sectors. Sonru provide secure, shareable video interviews. The tool can be used anywhere that remote video can bring efficiencies to a business process. Sonru has received support from SEEPP/WIT, Wexford County Enterprise Board and is a high potential client of Enterprise Ireland.

Alexandra College one of the first schools to use this new technology, has been using Sonru’s online interviewing software this year to assist Leaving Certificate students with preparation for their modern languages oral exams.

If you like more information about Sonru for Schools please see the website or contact Peter Hendrick of Sonru at peter@sonru.com.

We would like to congratulate Sonru  who last Wednesday won the Bank of Ireland National Bright Ideas Challenge with a  prize of a €100,000 interest free loan and the title of the National Bright Ideas Winner. With 85 initial applications Bank of Ireland had their work cut out to whittle the competition down to the final four regional finalists.

Alexandra College has been using Sonru’s online interviewing software this year to assist Leaving Certificate students with preparation for their modern languages oral exams.

Dublin Regional Winners Rendezvu, Galway Regional winner Eventovate and Cork Regional winner ResourceKraft, all provided stiff competition to the Waterford Regional winners Sonru. Notably, all four finalists are to a large degree web based businesses, highlighting the way the digital world has changed the way Irish business is carried out.

Sonru is just another example of the entrepreneurial  opportunities that the Internet can create.  If any future budding entrepreneur would like to find out more about this competition please click here.

^{We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting an ICT informational evening on February 11th about a new innovative ICT technology introduced to the classrooms of Alexandra College this year.}

^{As well as revolutionising the recruitment process,  Sonru’s Automated Online Video Tool is also a very befitting ICT resource for schools.}

^{For example, using this innovative resource, teachers can now for the first time send online video assignments to a class. Students can complete this assignment as part of their homework or in class, being recorded via webcam  to a time limit set by the teacher. The recorded video is stored in both the teacher and student accounts, thereby allowing students to review their video as often as they wish. This provides real opportunities for improved ability in the core subject as well as ICT learning and reflective learning leading to personal growth and development.}

^{The resource is particularly suitable for mock language orals and  preparation, mock interviews and interview preparation, video diaries, oral reading and public speaking practice. For more information about the tool and how it works please see www.sonru.com/schools}

^{The informational evening is open to any teacher from any school interested in adding relevant ICT activity to class and homework activities. The event will be held in the IT room in Alexandra College on Thursday, February 11th, 4pm-8pm.}

^{Please book your 20 minute demonstration between 4pm and 8pm by calling  or emailing Peter Hendrick of  Sonru on +353 (0)53 9237602 or email peter@sonru.com}