Minster Minors said: "The TechAwards represent the pinnacle of achievement for the use of technology in Bermuda. It is important that we identify and publicize these achievements so that Bermuda obtains credit for its successes. The awards also motivate and encourage development of the sector through academic, industry and charitable pursuits."

The TechAwards are held to publicly recognize the outstanding achievements being made in Bermuda's information technology industry. Technology, its use and availability, is vital to the future success of Bermuda and all Bermudians, and the TechWeek motto – Everyday; Everywhere; Everyone - encapsulates both its relevance and importance to all.

The Technology Innovation Awards are given in several categories, reflecting technology in the retail sector, business solutions, technology in the environment, the best of the local e-commerce sites, best use of social networking tools and of course the innovation of the year. 122 nominations were received in 2011.

The Best Interactive Experience was The Centre on Philanthropy and Island Restaurant Group. The nominator said about the Centre on Philanthropy: "volunteer.bm is the online one-stop shop for volunteering in Bermuda. It is an interactive website which allows nonprofits to advertise their volunteer activities to the community, and individuals to search for activities which suit their skills, experience and schedule" and the following was said about Island Restaurant Group, "Great restaurant sites, I love the use of video, music, animation. And best of all, I can make reservations!".

The Best Business Solution was won by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. The nominator said: "The BMA has an internationally recognised new computer-based insurance reporting system which grew out of the post-financial crisis environment when regulators began to see a shift from information being exchanged at the document level to the data level."

The Best Use of Green Tech was won by Bermuda Engineering Co. Ltd. for The Energy Detective (TED). The nominator said: "TED - The Energy Detective - provides cost-effective solutions to help both residential and commercial clients reduce their energy bills and go green."

The Best Local E-Commerce Website was won by AlexandraMosher.com. The nominator said: "Amazing site! Amazing products! I just love that I can purchase her items online."

The Best Mobile Application was won by New Atlantic Media for Go Explore Bermuda. The nominator said: "The #1 source of visitor information available anytime & anywhere via 3G network or Wi-Fi with a GPS interface to leads you right to top attractions. It also has schedules and pick-up locations for public bus and ferry transportation."

The Best Use of Social Networking Tools was won by the Bernews. Bernews' features include live blogging of events, texting of major headlines, and allowing readers to download pictures of events posted the next day.

The Most Inspiring Teacher or Mentor was Pat Callender of the Ministry of Education. The nominator wrote: "she gives her all for the IT Teachers and to the students in the education system. She has also developed Technology Integration Resources Site a resource for IT teachers and students filled with creative lesson plans and teaching aids."

The Local Innovation of the Year was Bermydeals. The nominator said: ""Rachel has a great company with a fantastic team! They came to us before they launched and we wanted to be part of their new venture. We are to date the highest "deal" ever sold on Bermydeals. It's been great for our new business, helping getting the word out"

The International Innovation of the Year was Bermuda Financial Network. The nominator said: "BFN's newly-introduced service enables a customer to transfer money via text messaging to anyone in the world virtually in minutes, 24 x 7 by way of any Western Union outlet. This technology enables those with the simplest mobile phones to make local or international payments to payees with more sophisticated devices such as iPads, tablets, smart phones or personal computers through text messages or on its new website at the click of a button within minutes"

Minister Minors added: "I would like to take this time to thank those who had the difficult job of judging submissions, Paul Coleman, Jamillah Lodge, Chris Worboys, Peter Hebberd, Jennifer Burland Adams, Pat Callender, and the judging coordinator, Marisa Stones. I offer my congratulations to all that were nominated. Finally, I would like to thank our TechWeek sponsors."

Special Recognition Award for Encouraging Youth Development 

This year, the TechAwards Committee added a special recognition award under the category of Most Inspiring Technology Teacher and Mentor. It is an award for special merit and goes to Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda. 

The judges wished to acknowledge the contribution of the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda and in particular their Executive Director, Joe Mahoney for his ongoing youth mentoring achievements. 

The YEI, as they are known, have several programs focused on youth development and mentoring, lead by the flagship program BizCamps. 

All the activities of the YEI promote the importance technology skills while encouraging young Bermudians to be innovative and entrepreneurial in every career path they pursue.

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