SEVEN SHORLISTED firms have been announced for the second annual Irish Technology Leadership Group(ITLG)/ Irish Timesinnovation award to be presented in Silicon Valley's Stanford University next month.

The shortlisted firms are:

Ammado, the social network for charities; Customer Minds, a provider of online marketing management tools; Firecomms, which develops components for high speed home networks and in-car entertainment systems; Lincor Solutions, which builds bedside information and entertainment systems for hospitals; Open Hydro, the designer and manufacturer of marine turbines to generate renewable energy from tides; Powervation, a designer of energy efficient power solutions for communications, computing and consumer applications;and Wavebob, which is developing technology to convert ocean energy into electricity.

Recognising the increased interest in green technology, a renewable energy award will be given as well as a company of the year. Open Hydro and Wavebob are also shortlisted for this award.

Last years recipient of the ITLG/ Irish Timesinnovation award, software firm Changing Worlds, drew significant attention from the main players in the telecoms technology space and was acquired by US-quoted group Amdocs for €46.2 million.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan will deliver the keynote at the awards ceremony which takes place in Stanford University on April 14th.