Scientific solution sends Carlow Teenage Entrepreneur to 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 the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow on Tuesday 1st March, 2016. 103 second-level students participated at the Student Enterprise Awards run by the Local Enterprise Office, Carlow County Council.
The overall winner this year was Clodagh Brophy from St. Leo’s School, Carlow who developed a science dictionary for people doing the junior cycle in secondary school. Clodagh was delighted with her achievement and she will now go on to represent the County at the National Student Enterprise Awards Final in Croke Park.
Other winners included Best Business Plan Award which went to Light Bulb Idea’s from St. Leo’s; the Social Media Award which went to No Harm on the Farm from Tullow Community School and the Best Display Stand which went to CHK Key Holders from Borris Vocational School.
Given the standard of this year’s entries two special prizes were awarded by the judges for Entrepreneurship presented to Foxhill Quail Eggs from Knockbeg and Best Pitch to Blacksheep Company Limited from Gael Choláiste, Carlow.
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 Kathleen Holohan, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council said “she was amazed at the high standard, professional business plans and creativity among the students”. She said “The Student Enterprise Awards 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 Offices are working with teachers and schools to help nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs”. Kathleen continued to say that “the Student Enterprise Award project is just one example of how the Local Enterprise Office as part of Carlow County Council can continue to support local enterprise development and is part of over 100 actions and events which will be hosted in 2016.
Clodagh and her winning business idea will now go forward to the National Final which is being held in Croke Park on 20th April, 2016. Speaking about the National Final, Kieran Comerford, Head of Enterprise with the Councils Local Enterprise Office said “the National Final’s of the Student Enterprise Awards are a significant opportunity for young people to test their innovative idea on a National Stage against the best in class of student entrepreneurs”, Comerford “wishes Clodagh luck in the process and asked that the people of Carlow get behind her project by following her on Twitter on @JCSciDictionary”. Carlow has a significant track record at the National Finals of the Student Enterprise Awards having won same with HUDEBA from Borris Vocational School & Rapid from Presentation College Askea and last year’s entry School of Sound from Tullow Community School won the Social Media Award”.
Further information around April’s National Finals is available through www.studententerprise.ie, which also has free resources and video tutorials for students and teachers for the 2015/2016 programme.
Full Schedule of Prize Winners
Overall Winners
- Light Bulb Idea’s
- MDF Woodcraft Designs
Best in School Awards
- Borris Vocational School - ASC Books
- Carlow Vocational School - 2016 Carlow Calendars
- Coláiste Eoin Hackestown - Fairy Houses
- Gael Coláiste - Black Sheep Company
- Knockbeg College - Foxhill Quail Eggs
- Presentation College Askea - Corky
- Presentation De La Salle - The Cookie Jar
Category Prizes
Best Display CHK Key Holders Borris Vocational School
Social Media No Harm on The Farm Tullow Community School
Business Report Light Bulb Idea’s St. Leo’s
Judges Special Awards
Pitch Prize Black Sheep Company Gael Colaiste
Entrepreneur Award Foxhill Quail Eggs Knockbeg College
Overall Winner
Clodagh Brophy – Light Bulb Idea’s – St. Leo’s Carlow
