County Derry man represents Ireland at World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

A County Derry man represented Ireland as a finalist at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Martin McKay, from Upperlands, won the Irish title last November but lost out to Doris Hsu from Taiwan in the worlds.

McKay founded Antrim-based assistive learning technology company Texthelp in 1996.

He was one of 49 global business leaders across 45 countries, selected from around 5,000 participants shortlisted for the award.

He said he was 'so proud' to receive the honour of even being shortlisted.

"I am so proud to be included among this outstanding group of global entrepreneurs,” he said.

“I’m even more proud to be representing Ireland in a bid for the title of EY World Entrepreneur of the Year. It’s been great to connect with the other finalists from around the world.

“Together we’ve been able to build a new network that will allow us to share insights into emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and ground-breaking ideas that all benefit our global economy.

He said all nominations this year were ‘fantastic’.

This year the competition celebrated 'ambitious entrepreneurs who are building a better world'.

Texthelp was started to help people with communication difficulties and focused initially on those with profound speech and dexterity disabilities.

It is now a global assistive technology company with operations in the UK, Sweden, Norway and Australia.

It employs 350 people – the majority of which are based in Antrim town with about 100 at its main US office in Massachusetts.

The company generated more than half its revenues in the US last year, where it works in tandem with individual states and school districts to roll-out its products in schools.

Mr McKay lost out to Doris Hsu of GlobalWafers. GlobalWafers is one of the world’s largest producers of silicon wafers used in making computer chips.

She is the third woman to hold the title and the first winner from Taiwan in the award's 23-year history.

EY released a statement explaining Ms Hsu's win.

“Doris is a visionary business leader with an unwavering passion for innovation and commitment to sustainability. For more than a decade, she has been the driving force behind GlobalWafers’ meteoric rise,” it said.

“In 2015, Doris took GlobalWafers public with a highly successful IPO, and today it is the world’s third-largest wafer manufacturer. She has continuously created value and sustainable growth for shareholders while always staying true to her core values of putting people first while leading with honesty, integrity, enthusiasm and hard work.”