Local entrepreneurs under the age of 30 have up until July 31st to apply for the ‘Fingal’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition, for the chance to win a “game changing” investment in their business.
According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor for 2013, younger people in Ireland are less likely to be involved in entrepreneurial activity. The ‘Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition was announced by Government earlier in the year and through the Local Enterprise Offices, aims to promote a greater culture of entrepreneurship among young people.
In a final call for entries, Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Local Enterprise Office Fingal is encouraging those under thirty in the region and with a good business idea or established business, to enter the competition before the end of the month.
Geoghegan said: “Throughout the country there will be 93 businesses and business ideas selected, sharing €1.55 million in investment. In Fingal, the winners of the Best Young Entrepreneur competition will share a total prize fund of €50,000, progressing to the Regional and National finals, where a further €100,000 investment fund will be available for the overall winners.”
“Importantly, each of the finalists around the country will also benefit from a management bootcamp and mentoring support, as part of the overall €2 million competition fund,” he added.
Open to individuals aged 30 or under across Fingal, 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 18 months). An overall Fingal ‘Best Young Entrepreneur’ will also be announced.
CATEGORIES OF ENTRY
- Best New Idea
- Best Start Up Business
- Best Established Business with new add on
Benefiting from business bootcamps and mentoring programmes at County level, winners will then progress to regional and ultimately a national final, with one business person being crowned Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur before the end of the year.
Applicants should visit www.ibye.ie for further information and the competition is free to enter with a closing date of July 31st.