Qire scoops opening innovation award

Qire, the Liverpool-based specialist in interactive voice messaging technology, has scooped the first monthly award in the 13th Merseyside Innovation Awards.

Its software service automates the process of making telephone calls to named contacts, verifying identity and then routing the call to a live agent, delivering a voice message or leaving a message on an answering machine.

Qire is expanding and its services are used by blue-chip clients and the healthcare sector, which achieve cost reductions, improved cash flow and customer satisfaction.

Monthly winners are being chosen in the run-up to the 2009 final of the awards, which reward innovation as a means of boosting growth and profitability. One innovation will win £10,000 cash plus £4,000 of professional advice and publicity for the idea. Anyone interested in applying should visit www.merseysideinnovationawards.co.uk for criteria and registration.

The awards are sponsored by Insider, Amatica, BBC Radio Merseyside, Brabners Chaffe Street, Business Link, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Liverpool Ventures, Paver Smith, RBS NatWest, RTC NorthWest, University of Liverpool Business Gateway, Vanguard and WP Thompson & Co.