ENTRIES are now being sought for The Herald’s seventh Scottish Digital Business Awards, the annual showcase for one of Scotland’s most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors.

The nationwide competition, supported this year by Business Gateway, City of Glasgow College, Enigma People Solutions, Jumpstart and SCVO, celebrates the best digital-focused businesses Scotland has to offer.

Twelve awards are up for grabs in this year’s contest, which will once again recognise success in all aspects of digital business, from social media and app development to website creation.

Entrants will be looking to follow in the footsteps of 2014 winners such as Blue2 Digital, which developed a responsive and content rich website for Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.

Glasgow-based Chunk, recognised for its work on Channel 4 show The Singer Takes It All, and Screenmedia, crowned Digital Agency of the Year, were also among last year’s winners.

The awards, which were established in 2008, have evolved since last year’s contest to reflect the changing face of the digital sector. That has led to the launch of a new category, the Charity and Social Enterprise Award, supported by SCVO, which focuses on digital technology as a force for good.

Entries to this category will be assessed for the meaningful engagement their projects deliver.

Chris Yiu, digital director at SCVO, said: “Charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises are a vital and vibrant part of Scottish society, and we're working hard to help them make the most of being online. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight how Scottish charities are using digital for social good.”

Among other categories being contested this year are the awards for consumer engagement, best use of social media, and digital professional of the year.

The business to business category, sponsored by Jumpstart, will look to reward an organisation that demonstrates the effective implementation of digital platforms and tools in a business capacity.

Jumpstart managing director Brian Williamson said: “Scotland has a long history of innovation both at home and abroad, so it is extremely important to encourage businesses to continue to innovate to maintain Scotland’s world-lead in many sectors.

“Jumpstart is a proud sponsor of the Business to Business award at The Herald Scottish Digital Business Awards 2015. We see innovation as a precursor to progress and we look forward to hearing about the businesses that are encouraging creativity, harnessing it commercially and seizing the opportunities offered by digital technology and the internet.”

This year’s Education and Training Award is supported by City of Glasgow College. Paul Little, college principal, said the institution is “committed to embracing the innovative business opportunities offered by digital technology and the internet".

He added: “As Scotland’s largest college, we seek to redefine our students’ experience of college education through implementing pioneering new ways of learning and running the college. We are delighted to support to The Herald Scottish Digital Business Awards as their agenda is closely aligned with our vision for the future.”

Business Gateway has come on board as a partner this year as sponsor of the E-Commerce category.

Hugh Lightbody, chief officer for the Business Gateway National Unit, said: “Business Gateway works with lots of ambitious companies that are working hard in every corner of the country so we are delighted to sponsor the E-Commerce award which recognises that digital technology is playing an increasingly significant role in the growth and development of our economy.”

Meanwhile, the Digital Agency Award will once more seek to recognise the firm deemed to have carried out the most advanced digital innovation in Scotland.

David Mains, director of sponsor Enigma People Solutions, said: “Once again, Enigma People are delighted to be supporting this event in Scotland’s digital industry; has it really been seven years? The sector has continued to grow and perform incredibly over the past 12 months, and the awards are the perfect way to celebrate the success of those businesses, and individuals who have made it so.”

The deadline for entries is Thursday September 3. For further information visit herald-events.com/digitalawards or call Lyndsay Wilson on 0141 302 7407.