Admiral confirmed as principal sponsor of Digital Awards.

Byline: SION BARRY Business editor [email protected]

AWARDS showcasing the very best in Wales' thriving digital sector have been launched. Now in their third year, the WalesOnline Digital Awards 2019 will recognise businesses and entrepreneurs making an outstanding contribution to the sector.

This year the principal sponsor is Admiral Group.

There are 14 categories, including Best Digital Start-Up of the year, App of the Year and Best International Company.

This year there is also a new award for the Digital Agency of the Year.

Matt Wintle, chief investment officer at Admiral, said: "We are very excited to be the headline sponsors of the awards for 2019.

"Technology is at the heart of Admiral's business. From cloud through to devops and agile delivery, our technology department is an exciting and fast-paced environment to work in.

"As a passionate Welsh company, we look forward to recognising the talent throughout Wales in the awards."

Paul Rowland, editor of Wales-Online, said: "These awards will again showcase the excellence that exists in Wales' fast-expanding digital sector, from established innovative firms and entrepreneurs driving impressive market share, to exciting start-ups with huge potential for growth.

"For the Welsh economy to thrive in an ever-increasing digital world, where advances in automation will radically change how we live and work, then we need a sector that is not only vibrant, but fleet of foot to exploit the huge commercial opportunities that will arise.

"And it is hoped that the finalists and winners of the WalesOnline Digital Awards 2019 will encourage a new wave of businesses and innovators to follow in their footsteps."

The categories are: | Ambassador of the Year | Innovation | App of the Year | Young Person | Best Start Up of the Year | Best Use of Tech in Education | Best Use of Tech in Ecommerce | Best Use of Digital Marketing | Entrepreneur of the Year | Woman of the Year, sponsored by Barclays Eagle Labs | Best International Company | Best Use of Emerging Technology | Best Digital Agency | Chief Executive of the Year Entries are now open for each category, with a deadline of April 7, 2019.

| All the winners of the Wales-Online Digital Awards 2019 will be revealed at an awards ceremony at the Tramshed in Cardiff on June 7. For tickets and category sponsorship opportunities, contact our regional events manager Isabel Goodman on 01792 545511 or [email protected]

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<B Editor-in-chief of Media Wales Paul Rowland on stage at the start of last year's event Robert Melen