Shannon businessman wins Best Young Entrepreneur award

A Shannon-based businessman has been named overall winner of Clare's Best Young Entrepreneur competition at an awards ceremony hosted in The Council Chamber, Áras Contae an Chláir this evening (Monday, 28 September 2015).

Diarmuid McSweeney of True North Technologies, a developer of a grass measurement system allowing farmers to maximize their most valuable resource (grassland), was also named winner of the 'Best Start-Up Business' category of the competition, which was organised by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare. 

Cathaoirleach of Clare Councillor James Breen presented Mr. McSweeney with a handmade piece of ceramic pottery designed and made by Jackie Maurer of Jackie Maurer Ceramics in Ballyvaughan. Meanwhile, Peter Hunt of PiggyBack was named winner of the 'Best Idea' category while Charlie Glynn of Glynn Technical Diamonds Ltd. won the 'Best Established Business' category.

Supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland, the competition is designed to seek out and support entrepreneurial talent across the country. A total investment fund of €50,000 has been offered through LEO Clare to the three category winners.

The three local category winners now proceed to a regional competition with the winners from the region progressing to the national stage of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition, which features an Investment Fund of €100,000 to be shared among the winners at a ceremony before the end of the year.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Cllr. James Breen, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council congratulated LEO Clare for "showcasing the business acumen of the County's young business men and women."

He added: "Any investment in the future of our young entrepreneurs in Clare is something that should be welcomed, as we seek to build and develop sustainable communities for the people of Clare to live and work in. These entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our local communities. 99% of job creation locally comes from our SME’s and micro-businesses. It is our responsibility to encourage and support our young entrepreneurs as they build a future for their business."

Tom Coughlan, Chief Executive, Clare County Council noted that the Clare stage of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur "helps to showcase the important role that the Local Enterprise Office has to play in developing local enterprise plans and putting micro and small business at the heart of job creation locally."

Mr Coughlan explained. "This competition encourages and supports a culture of entrepreneurship among young people. It also promotes entrepreneurship as a career choice and encourages the establishment and development of new innovative businesses by young entrepreneurs. This is hugely important for job-creation as two thirds of all new jobs are generated by businesses in the first five years of existence - more start-ups and a thriving entrepreneurial culture will lead to more jobs begin created."

Mr. Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, LEO Clare, said: "LEO Clare looks forward to working closely with all the finalists over the coming months and helping them spread their business wings further. I wish the winners of each category the best of luck at the regional judging."

The local stage of the competition attracted applications from young people, aged 30 and under, from across County Clare. After a full review of applications, 11 finalists were shortlisted and took part in intensive Business Boot Camps facilitated by Theresa Mulvihill of Smart Marketing Ltd.

The 11 local finalists were Diarmuid McSweeney (True North Technologies), Peter Hunt (PiggyBack), Charlie Glynn (Glynn Technical Diamonds Ltd.), Liam Grant (Surf Syrup), Will Ferguson (Smart Oil Tank Monitor), Oliver O'Flaherty, Regina Tierney (Celtic Fusion Design), Caoimhín Conneely, Rowan Stainsby (Irish Underground Sounds), Enda McGuane (West Coast Cycle Tours) and Kaitlin McGrath (Kaitlin McGrath Label).

Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition was first launched in 2014 by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and is an integral part of the Action Plan for jobs 2014.

The Local Enterprise Office Clare, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, can be contacted on 065-6821616 / localenterprise@clarecoco.ie. Further information is available from www.localenterprise.ie/clare

Charlie Glynn, Padraic McElwee, Diarmuid McSweeney and Peter Hunt