County Carlow Teenage Entrepreneur all set for Croke Park Final

After many months of work setting up and running a business, students from around the County showcased their products and services at IT Carlow on Tuesday 20th March, 2017. 90 second-level students participated at the Student Enterprise Programme County Finals run by the Local Enterprise Office as part of Carlow County Council.

The overall winner this year was Ellie O’Sullivan from Borris Vocational School, County Carlow, with Pebble Art by Ellie. Ellie was delighted with her achievement and she will now go on to represent the County at the National Student Enterprise Programme Final in Croke Park on 3rd May, 2017. 

 Other winners included best Business Plan Award which went to Pebble Art by Ellie, Borris Vocational School; Social Media Award which went to  Wonderland from Tullow Community School; best Display Award which went to Bopping Bracelets, St. Leo’s and the best Pitch Award which went to Cloud 9 Tullow Community School.

 Given the standard of this year’s entries a special prize was awarded by the judges for Social Innovation which was presented to Teenage Flicks, Tullow Community School.

 The remit of the Local Enterprise Office is the development of an enterprise culture at County level, not least among the schools and colleges. Despite its small geographical size, County Carlow is always one of the counties to watch out for at the National Final.

 Commenting on the event Dan McInerney, Deputy Chief Executive of Carlow County Council said “he was impressed at the high standards, professional business plans and creativity among the students”. He said “The Student Enterprise Programme encourages and enables students to take on the world of business and develop an entrepreneurial mind-set. By fostering an enterprising culture in the classroom, the Local Enterprise Office are working with teachers and schools to help nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs”.  Dan continued to say that “the Student Enterprise Programme is just one example of how Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office can continue to support local enterprise development and is part of over 70 actions and events which will be hosted in 2017.

 In his welcome address Declan Doyle, Head of Development, IT Carlow said how delighted he was with the linkages that were being created with students from post primary schools throughout County Carlow.

Ellie and her winning business idea will now go forward to the National Student Enterprise Programme Final which is being held in Croke Park on 3rd May, 2017. Speaking about the National Final, Kieran Comerford, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office said “the National Final of the Student Enterprise Programme is a significant opportunity for young people to test their innovative idea on a National Stage against the best in class of student entrepreneurs”, Kieran wishes Ellie the best of luck in the process. Carlow has a significant track record at the National Final of the Student Enterprise Programme having won same with HUDEBA from Borris Vocational School; Rapid from Presentation College Askea; and also with School of Sound Tullow Community School and Light Bulb Ideas, St. Leo’s both winning a National Social Media Award.

 Further information around the National Student Enterprise Programme Finals in May is available through www.studententerprise.ie which also has free resources and video tutorials for students and teachers for the 2017/2018 programme.

 For further details contact

Anna Byrne

Senior Enterprise Development Officer

059 9129785Email: abyrne@carlowcoco.ie

 

 Full Schedule of Prize Winners: 

Best in School Awards

 Borris Vocational School                                 Pebble Art by Ellie

Presentation College Askea                            Perfect PreZents

Presentation De La Salle                                 Medal Memoirs

  1. The Toy Shop
  2. AK Sports

Tullow Community Schools                             AoK Clothing

 

Category Prizes

 Best Display                           Bobbing Bracelets                  St. Leo’s

Social Media                          Wonderland                           Tullow Community School

Business Report                    Pebble Art by Ellie                 Borris Vocational School

Best Pitch                              Cloud 9                                  Tullow Community School

 

Judges Special Award

Social Innovation                    Teenage Flicks                        Tullow Community School

 

Overall Winner

Ellie O’Sullivan – Pebble Art by Ellie – Borris Vocational School

For further information contact Anna Byrne on 059 9129785 / 086 8328910 or email: abyrne@carlowcoco.ie