Ratings rises to the Top of County Enterprise Awards
Carlow company, Equi-Ratings claimed the top award in the 2016 Carlow County Council – Local Enterprise Office - Enterprise Awards today (10th March 2016). The county awards mark the first stage of the Local Enterprise Office - National Enterprise Awards competition for 2016, which aims to recognise and acknowledge the entrepreneurial spirit and valuable contribution of small enterprises to the economy.
The announcement was made at a special event hosted by Carlow County Council's – Local Enterprise Office at the Lord Bagenal Hotel, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow.
EquiRatings is an innovative company which launched in 2015 as the first data and analytics company in the sport of eventing and in its first year was shortlisted as Ireland’s Best Start Up (IBYE). They provide in-depth data, statistics and content to meet the evolving needs of the media, governing bodies as well as performance analysis for professional riders, owners and teams. They have designed a data driven solution to a major safety issue in the sport of eventing which is being used by national governing bodies. Equi-Ratings offers unrivalled content and helps bring context to the production, display and governance of eventing which has never before been possible.
EquiRatings is run by its co-founders Sam Watson and Diarmuid Byrne. Sam is a well-known Irish event rider who has competed at numerous 4* events and World & European Championships. He holds a first class honours degree in MSISS from Trinity College Dublin where he specialised in mathematics, statistics and database building. Diarmuid is a qualified commercial lawyer who now runs the day-to-day management of the company and drives the company's vision, strategy and growth. In 2015, he was shortlisted as Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.
Three other companies were celebrated on the night for their area of excellence in various areas with the Manufacturing Award being presented to OnCraft, Customer Service & Innovation being presented to McNally Dental and the Marketing & Business Development award being presented to Newhaven Kitchens.
Speaking at the awards, Kathleen Holohan, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council said “these awards present a significant opportunity for Carlow to showcase our Enterprise Story. Congratulating the finalists Holohan said “the finalists are all part of County Carlow’s Enterprise Eco-system which is well endowed with the highest calibre entrepreneurs and Irish owned companies that are successful and innovative players in the highly competitive global marketplace".
Speaking about the awards, Cllr Charlie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council commended and congratulated the finalists on their achievements and outlined that they represent the diverse range of businesses in operation in County Carlow today. Murphy concluded by “adding that they are representative of the County Carlow SME Sector which is creating and sustaining jobs in the Irish economy at present”.
The National Enterprise Awards will take place in Dublin during June 2016 and EquiRatings will now go forward to represent Carlow in the National Finals and compete against 31 winning enterprises from around the country.
