Today (24th June 2015), Enterprise support partners and future IBYE judges joined forces in County Carlow to mark the start of the final months search for the IBYE 2015 County Carlow Finalists. Agencies staff and judges were joined by last year’s County Winner Roisin Hynes whose idea to develop a new platform for recruitment has grown from strength to strength.
The competition to find the county’s Best Young Entrepreneur is run by the Carlow County Council - Local Enterprise Office. Winners will be named in three categories – best new idea, best start-up, best new venture for established business – as well as an overall winner who will be awarded the title of “Carlow's Best Young Entrepreneur”. The Local Enterprise Office has been provided with a fund of €50,000 to invest in the three winning businesses.
Speaking at the event today Bernie O'Brien – Director of Services of Carlow County Council said “IBYE is a fantastic project for the Local Enterprise Office and aims to encourage young people to take that first step in the establishment and development of their own business”, O'Brien continued to say “the local enterprise office is seen as a beacon of co-operative working to make a difference on the ground and we are lucky to work in synergy with partners like IT Carlow, Carlow Chamber on this and a variety of programmes”.
The judging panel for the local competition was announced today and will include Ailish Delaney from IT Carlow, Derek Shannon – President of Carlow Chamber & Kieran Comerford – Head of Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office. Chair of the judging panel and Head of Enterprise of the Local Enterprise Office – Kieran Comerford said “we are looking for people who want to take their first steps in enterprise and IBYE is a perfect platform for doing same”. Comerford continued to say “all entrants this year will get the opportunity prior to presenting to the judging panel to attend a boot camp delivered by Management Guru Blaise Brosnan from MRI”.
Speaking about the awards Declan Doyle – Head of Development for IT Carlow said “IT Carlow is delighted to be once again working with LEO Carlow to promote and drive the enterprise agenda in County Carlow. IBYE is just one way we can work in partnership to develop a dynamic enterprise base using the strengths of IT Carlow and the enterprise resources available from Carlow Local Enterprise Office”
Carlow Local Enterprise Office created over 200 jobs during 2014 as a result of direct investments in SME's. One job was last year’s IBYE County Finalist Roisin Hynes who joined the team to update the people gathered on her progress with her project. Hynes outlined that “IBYE really gave me a platform to develop my idea to the next level and I am delighted to say I am about to sign my first contracts for service provision”, Hynes continued to say “that the support given by the IBYE process from the Boot Camp to the finals to the aftercare really helped bring her idea to a next level”
If you believe you are County Carlow's next young entrepreneur for entry details go to www.localenterprise.ie/carlow or call 059 9129783. Closing date for entries is 31st July 2015.
