We are looking for innovative Irish companies who are adapting to a changed world and re-thinking the way we do business. 

Design in its best applications puts the customer at the centre of all decisions to create meaningful and innovative solutions. Put simply, it’s about viewing the world through your customers’ eyes, so you can unlock the power that results in innovative ideas and unique experiences your clients can benefit from. 

The Irish Business Design Challenge is open to micro, small and medium enterprises across Ireland that have developed products or services or re-imagined your business model to benefit your customers. This competition aims to highlight best practice examples of design and innovation across Ireland. Through the telling and sharing of these success stories, IBDC also aims to demonstrate the role design plays in our economy and society. 

WE ARE RUNNING A FREE INFORMATION SESSION ON OCTOBER 19TH FOR BUSINESS OWNERS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE DESIGN CHALLENGE - BOOK HERE

The prize fund

The overall prize fund is over €50,000. The winner of each category will receive a prize fund of €15,000, and €2,000 will be awarded to the runner-up in each category. The public will be invited to vote, and businesses that receive the most public votes will be shortlisted as finalists. We will then invite an expert panel of judges and members of the public to vote.

Who can apply?

The Irish Business Design Challenge is open to:  

Micro-sized enterprises (1 - 10 employees) 
Small-sized enterprises (11 - 50 employees) 
Medium-sized enterprises (51 - 250 employees) 

Why your business should enter 

• Be in with a chance to win a share of the total prize fund of over €50,000 
• National press campaign 
• Social media coverage on DCCI, EI and LEO channels 
• There is no entry fee to apply 

The Irish Business Design Challenge is an initiative of Design & Crafts Council Ireland in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices, supported by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.