The platform performed well at the 2026 UK start-up Awards and was recognised for its work in ecommerce advertising for Meta and Google promotions.

Belfast-based technology company Karb AI has come away from the 2026 UK Start-up Awards with the Digital Start-up of the Year title for Northern Ireland (NI). The ad optimisation tool for ecommerce brands and agencies was recognised for an ‘AI layer’ that impacts how ecommerce advertises for Meta and Google promotions.  

Established in 2025 by Karthik Bangalore Rajendra Prasad, Karb AI enables ecommerce platforms to audit, optimise and scale digital advertising. Its flagship product is an AI decision layer for ecommerce Meta ads.

The UK Start-Up Awards, which were founded by prof Dylan Jones Evans aim to celebrate the ambition and resilience of the entrepreneurs driving the economy. As the NI winner, Karb AI will progress to the UK Start-up Awards national final to be held on 9 September at Ideas Fest in Champneys Tring, an event projected to attract 6,000 founders, investors and leaders.

Commenting on the win, Prasad said, “Winning the Digital Startup of the Year for Northern Ireland is a significant milestone for us as we approach our first anniversary. Our mission is to empower ecommerce brands with AI-driven insights that simplify complex advertising decisions and this recognition from the UK Start-Up Awards validates the many benefits we’re already delivering for digital marketers and ecommerce companies.”

Also this week, University College Dublin’s (UCD) Nax Bioscience and Trinity College Dublin’s (TCD) Imragen were awarded the top spot at the inaugural Irish Genomics Business Plan Competition, an initiative established to identify and support high-potential genomics-focused start-ups and research ventures in Ireland’s life sciences ecosystem.

Both Nax Bioscience and Imragen were selected as the winners in recognition of their innovative genomics-driven technologies and strong commercial potential. 

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