Carlow County Council has launched a major drive to spur entrepreneurial primary and second level students to develop innovative business proposals as part of the Student Concept Competition 2016.  This is a great opportunity for ambitious and enterprising students to develop their entrepreneurial skills, whilst also giving them a chance to win prizes which includes a prize fund of over €2,500.

The Student Concept competition is co-sponsored by AIB, Carlow Regional Youth Services, Fairgreen Shopping Centre, IT Carlow, Thermo Air Ireland and VISUAL - Centre for Contemporary Art. A key priority of the competition is to get students thinking about starting their own business as a career option in the future.  The sponsors bring their expertise which can help the finalists in the competition to commercialise their concepts if they wish to do so. The overall event is aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and to get them thinking about real-life business ideas. 

At the launch of the competition, Kieran Comerford, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Carlow said that “The development of young entrepreneurs and second level students is an essential step in the growth of Ireland and will increase future business start-ups. As such, they should be seen as a key role in getting Ireland back on its feet will drive the establishment of more micro and small business, which will in turn aid job creation.  The students could be the successful entrepreneurs of the future and we need to tap into their potential.”

Bernie O Brien, Director of Services, Carlow County Council further added “The Student Concept Competition will help drive the economy by getting the students to think about starting their own business.  We have to encourage and stimulate students to be ambitious about their own potential to go into business for themselves, and the Student Concept Competition is a really important opportunity for them. ”

John Mulcahy, Enterprise Executive, Local Enterprise Office Carlow added: “The Student Concept Competition features a host of approaches to reach the students and to make sure they get great encouragement. Support is available through the Local Enterprise Office and this competition is designed to raise awareness of these supports with the students. We encourage the students to be innovative, collaborative and creative when coming up with products that will help them explore their ideas and appetite for going into business for themselves.” 

The Student Concept Competition 2016 brochure can be downloaded here.

The Entry Form for the competition can be downloaded here.

For more information visit the website on:  https://www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/ or call 059-9123783