County’s Best Young Entrepreneurs Win €50,000 Investment
Three of the county’s best young entrepreneurs have won a total investment of €50,000 through the Local Enterprise Office Kildare, as part of the €2 million Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition (#IBYE).
Aimed at young and aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 30, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition is an integral part of the Action Plan for Jobs and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through the network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices.
At a ceremony in Áras Chill Dara on 1st October, awards were made for Kildare’s best start-up, best new idea, and best existing business, as well as an overall award for the best young entrepreneur in the county.
The local winners and investments won were as follows:
- Best New Idea (winning a €10,000 investment): Conor Devlin of uHerrd, Celbridge
- Best Start-Up (winning a €20,000 investment):David Carey, Nutraplenish, Celbridge
- Best Established Business (winning a €20,000 investment): Tim Dunleavy, Dunleavy Bespoke, Caragh
- David Carey, from Nutraplenish in Celbridge was also named as Kildare’s “Best Young Entrepreneur”. He received a piece of bog oak made by Larry Harney of Clane.
All local winners will now represent Kildare at the regional finals in Tullamore on 5th November. A total of 24 finalists will then compete at the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur National Finals in December.
Marking the occasion, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said:
“Central to our plans for jobs and growth is supporting more businesses to start-up. Two thirds of all new jobs are created by start-ups, so if we are to create the jobs we need we must support more entrepreneurs to start new businesses. Part of this plan is also fostering a stronger culture of entrepreneurship and promoting start-up business as a career option for young people. That is what is behind this new competition to find the best young entrepreneur also ultimately Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur. We have excellent start-ups and entrepreneurs in Ireland – we just don’t have enough of them. It is great to see so many excellent entrepreneurs and business-people getting involved in this competition, and I am delighted to congratulate the local winners. I wish all three winners every success in the later stages of the competition – and wish all participants every success as they grow their businesses and contribute to the job-creation we need”.
Special guests at the #IBYE County Awards included Mayor Brendan Weld, Deputy Anthony Lawlor and Senator MaryAnn O’Brien, founder of Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mary Foley from the Local Enterprise Office Kildare, paid tribute to all the young entrepreneurs in the region, saying: “As the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses, it is heartening to see a growing and vibrant community of young entrepreneurs locally. Through Business Bootcamps, mentoring and general business advice, the Local Enterprise Office plays a vital role in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, on a year-round basis. We will also be working closely with this year’s IBYE winners, to help maximise the return on the €50,000 investment that they have been awarded.”
This year’s judging panel were also thanked during the ceremony for their role in the competition and members included Charlie Carri, Mary Keane and Blaise Brosnan. Credit was also given to Orla O’Carroll and Frances O’Loughlin who mentored the participants and got them competition ready.
Back in 2014, Kildare was represented in last year’s #IBYE competition by William Ganly, Seanan O’Riordan and David Carey.
Details around Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition are available through www.ibye.ie and information on supports for all small businesses can be accessed through www.localenterprise.ie.
Kildare finalists:
- Cliodhna Burke ACBTeach
- Stuart Cameron The Whiskey Tap
- Eoghan Delaney Tongue Controlled Wheelchair Steering Device
- Conor Devlin uHerrd
- Leah Headon The Online Fruit Basket
- Seanan O’Riordan Race Only Springs
- Vahe Sasunts Quicksales
- David Carey Nutraplenish
- Peter Kosinski Summer SUP School
- Eoin Mulvey LabCup
- Tim Dunleavy Dunleavy Bespoke
- William Ganly C&G Engineering
Interview opportunities are available with 2015 #IBYE winners and finalists, along with representatives of the Local Enterprise Office. For all queries around Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition, please contact your Local Enterprise Office.
Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur 2015 (#IBYE)
Website: www.ibye.ie
Social Media: #IBYE
