Cavan's Best Young Entrepreneurs of 2017 announced!

Cavan’s Best Young Entrepreneurs of 2017 were announced on Thursday 14th December 2017, in the Hotel Kilmore Cavan at the County Final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) Competition. IBYE is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland and delivered
locally by the Local Enterprise Office Network. Now in its 4th year, the competition attracted 1,500 applications nationwide.

Tommy Ryan, Chief Executive of Cavan County Council stated that: “The search to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur began back in August and we were delighted with the calibre of entries. After a very successful Enterprise Day, Bootcamp and County Final, I’m pleased to confirm that the future of enterprise and job
creation in Cavan is positive.”

Marcella Rudden, Head of the Local Enterprise in Cavan explained “Each of the winners and runners-up will share in an investment fund of up to €50,000 to help grow and develop their business. The 3 category winners go forward to the Regional Finals in Louth in January 2018. The team in Local Enterprise Office Cavan will
be providing intensive supports between now and then to prepare the winners for the Regional Finals and hopefully Cavan will have a representative at the IBYE
National Finals in March 2018.”

Jessica Kavanagh of Olann was named the Overall Winner of IBYE for County Cavan 2017.

All of the winners and runners up were:

Best Business Idea:

Winner - Ronan Kelly, Bespoke Choice

Runner Up - Caroline Van De Berg, Dusty Boots Travel 

Best Start-Up Business:

Winner - Jessica Kavanagh, Olann 

Runner Up - Mary O’ Neill, Enhance Skin & Laser Clinic

Best Established Business:

Winner: Peter Scanlon, Elegant Gems

Runner Up: Lisa Pepper, Off the Rack

The three county winners will proceed to the regional finals to be hosted in Louth on 23rd January 2018 where they will compete with the county winners from Louth, Meath and Monaghan. Three regional winners will be selected to compete for the national title of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur in March 2018. A further €100,000 investment fund will be available to invest in the winners of the three categories at the national final, one of which will also be named with the prestigious title of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.

Cavan County winners and runners up pictured at the County Final of Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur 2017