Fingal’s Best Young Entrepreneurs Put to the Test at Dublin Regional Bootcamp
The applicants shortlisted at last month’s Fingal “Celebrating Entrepreneurship” Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) breakfast seminar, took part in an intensive two-day Business Bootcamp organised by Entrepreneur’s Academy on behalf of the four Dublin Region Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). The bootcamp included business workshops, networking opportunities and, more importantly; giving the finalists the chance to prepare their "Dragons’ Den" style pitch for the county final. The Fingal IBYE Final will take place on Thursday 2nd May in the Atrium County Hall, Swords, and is being organised by LEO Fingal.
Cllr. Anthony Lavin, Mayor of Fingal commented ahead of the County Final: “In Fingal we have a very entrepreneurial young population that are continually looking for ways to develop their business. Fingal County Council, through the Local Enterprise Office will ensure they are given every opportunity for their businesses to flourish”.
Paul Reid,Chief Executive of Fingal County Council further added on the importance of IBYE: “Initiatives like the IBYE competition ensure the success of young entrepreneurs in Fingal, and thus a sustainable stream of new employment opportunities for the region. Our Local Enterprise Office in Fingal County Council is well equipped to provide a range of support to ensure their success”.
Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the LEO Network and Head of Enterprise at LEO Fingal concluded “We had a huge response to the competition this year with an amazing array of business ideas and growing businesses. The calibre of young entrepreneurs is exceptional and the judges have a very tough job to select just one winner and one runner-up in each category.”
With an IBYE investment fund of €50,000, Fingal LEO will award up to six investments to three category winners and three runners-up at county level. Category winners will go forward to represent Fingal in the Dublin regional finals on Wednesday 12th June, and ultimately the National final in September.
Now in its fifth year, IBYE is run by all 31 LEOs and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland. Further details on the competition can be found on the IBYE website at www.ibye.ie. A comprehensive list of supports available to young entrepreneurs is available through www.localenterprise.ie/Fingal
