THREE PAST WINNERS RESTURN TO JOIN 2024 TECH AWARDS JUDGING PANEL

As anticipation builds for the 2025 Digital Isle Tech Awards, we spoke with three past winners, Nic Le Merle, Bruce Elliott, and Justin Cosnett, who return this year as members of the judging panel. Their combined expertise spans local collaboration, compassionate technology, and global innovation, offering a unique perspective on the depth and dynamism of the Isle of Man’s digital sector. 

Nic Le Merle, Afundi

JobHunt.im, the innovative platform that earned Nic Le Merle and his team at Afundi Tech Team of the Year 2024, has become a standout example of what collaboration and creativity can achieve within the Isle of Man’s tech community. 

Developed specifically for local jobseekers by a genuinely invested team, the platform was built through close collaboration between brand strategists, designers and developers, resulting in a vibrant and user-friendly experience for jobseekers on the Isle of Man. 

Looking to the future, Nic highlights the importance of nurturing local talent and collaboration between sectors: “Developing young talent and ensuring there are strong systems in place to support skills in technology is essential for long-term growth. Collaboration between government, education and industry creates a powerful ecosystem that drives innovation.” 

As a 2025 Tech Awards judge, Nic will be looking for the same qualities that made his team stand out: “Genuine commitment to growth, progress and positive impact - teams and individuals that identify challenges and respond with thoughtful, well-executed solutions.” 

Bruce Elliott, Memory Lane Games

For Bruce Elliott and his team at Memory Lane Games who won Community Impact Champion 2024, success has come from combining compassion with innovation. Their app, which supports people living with dementia and their caregivers in over 100 countries, was co-designed with Alzheimer’s Associations worldwide. It’s been described by the Mayo Clinic as a “simple yet scalable solution” and has already delivered more than 1.6 million minutes of gameplay. 

For tech innovators hoping to make a genuine difference, Bruce offers valuable advice: “Our purpose attracts talent. It’s hard to do good, and to succeed you need personal passion and experience in the area you’re innovating. That keeps you grounded and focused, even when times are tough.” 

Bruce also recognises the transformative effect of the awards themselves: “The Digital Isle Tech Awards raised the profile of Memory Lane Games far beyond our usual circles. That’s the power of our Island community - new friends, partners, and investors stepped forward to support us.” 

Justin Cosnett, Continent 8 Technologies

Justin Cosnett, from Continent 8 Technologies, who won Tech Supporter of the Year 2024, represents a different but equally vital facet of the Island’s digital ecosystem. “Our success comes from a deep commitment to collaboration and customer-centricity, a local focus with global reach,” he says. “We’ve been based on the Isle of Man since 2006, and we’re proud that many of our Day 1 customers are still with us today.” 

Continent 8’s global network now spans over 100 locations, with partnerships and solutions that ensure scalability, security and resilience. But Justin believes innovation goes beyond technology itself: “Innovation isn’t just about cutting-edge tools; it’s about solving real problems and anticipating future ones. I’d encourage emerging tech companies to stay agile, invest early in cybersecurity and resilience, and balance ambition with accountability.” 

As a 2025 judge, Justin highlights the value of recognition: “The Digital Isle Tech Awards celebrate innovation but also build confidence within teams, across industries, and among investors. They help position the Isle of Man as a serious player in the global tech space.” 

 

Digital Isle 2025 Tech Awards

Each of these leaders embodies the creativity, collaboration, and community spirit that define the Isle of Man’s growing digital sector. As they join the judging panel for the 2025 Digital Isle Tech Awards, their collective experiences remind us that success in technology is about more than innovation; it’s about people, purpose, and persistence. 
 

With nominations for the 2025 Digital Isle Tech Awards now closed, the judging panel will soon begin deliberations. Finalists will be announced on 20 November, followed by the opening of the public vote. Winners will be revealed at Digital Isle 2025, taking place on 27 November at the Comis Hotel.