Local Enterprise Office Fingal is calling all entrepreneurs in the region, under the age of 30, with a good business idea or established business, to apply for the ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition, which could secure an initial investment in their business of up to €20,000.
The ‘Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition was announced by Government in May and through the Local Enterprise Offices, aims to promote a culture of entrepreneurship among young people.
Three categories will be judged at the County stage of the competition; ‘Best New Idea’; Best Start-up Business’ (under 18 months) and ‘Best Established Business with new add-on’ (over 18m months). The winners will share a total prize fund of €50,000 and will progress to the Regional and National finals, where a further €100,000 investment fund will be available for the overall winners.
The deadline to enter the first stage of the competition is Thursday, 31st July. As well as a substantial cash investment, each of the finalists will benefit from a management bootcamp and mentoring support.
This is the first competition of its kind ever to take place in this country and offers an unprecedented opportunity for Fingal’s young and would-be entrepreneurs to benefit from a substantial financial investment along with peer-learning and networking that will help create a platform for local jobs and future employment.
Emma Manley is just one young entrepreneur who has already submitted her application for the IBYE Competition. The 28 year old Castleknock-native is Creative Director at Manley, her eponymous fashion line. Following internships with fashion labels VPL in New York and Alexander McQueen in London, Emma returned to Dublin and set up her own label in 2012. She has dressed well-known faces such as Amy Huberman and Aoibhin Garrihy, with her clothing line currently available in Ireland and Egypt.
Visit www.ibye.ie for further information on the competition. The closing date for applications is 31st July 2014 with the first stage of the selection process taking place in August 2014.
