Ms Susan Spence (left), cofounder of SoftCo, has won Ireland's Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year Award for 1999. The award was presented by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney.

SoftCo was founded by Ms Spence (38) and Mr Jim Coffey in 1990 and specialises in the development of information management and imaging technologies. Located in Leopardstown Business Park, Dublin, it has sales offices in London, Copenhagen and Tampa, US, and employs 100 people. Further expansion in the US and south-east Asia is planned.

The award, which is given in a number of states, has been running in the Republic since 1980. Ms Spence received a silver champagne cooler trophy and will visit the home of Veuve Clicquot in Reims, France, where a vine will be named after her.