The Kildare Student Enterprise Programme County Final
Local Enterprise Office Kildare have announced that the Student Enterprise Programme County Final will take place on the 23rd of March at the Kilashee Hotel, Naas. In September, 1280 students started the programme and the field has been narrowed down to approximately 150 students from sixteen participating schools, who will now meet the judges and the overall winners will be selected at the event.
The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 25,000 students from just under 500 secondary schools across the country take part in 2021 / 2022. The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Finals.
In 2022, Horseshoes 4 U from St Wolston’s College took the top spot. There were also awards for 2nd and 3rd places as well as prizes awarded for Innovation, Marketing, Finance, Product/Service, Business Planning and Sales.
This year’s entrants will need to submit a business plan, put their products on display and then undergo an interview by an independent panel of judges before the winner is selected. It is a busy but very enjoyable day. The event is open to the public and visitors are welcome to attend and see the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Doreen Heavey, Assistant Business Advisor, who oversees the programme in the LEO says "The Student Enterprise County Final is always an enjoyable event that we look forward to every year. Due to Covid restrictions we have had virtual award ceremonies for the last 2 years, so it is great to get back to an in-person event again this year. We have a great day planned with entertainment and over €1000 in prizemoney to give away on the day.”
Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise of LEO Kildare says “We believe the Student Enterprise Programme is a tremendous way to get young people thinking about starting their own business later in life. The stronger the pipeline of new entrepreneurs coming through the better for our economy down the line. We hope to see many of the students that participated in the programme as clients again down the line.”
Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from or www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.
Names of participating schools in Student Enterprise Programme
- Ardscoil na Trionóide
- Colaiste Lorcain
- Salesian College Celbridge
- Celbridge Community School
- St Wolstans Community School
- Scoil Mhuire Community School
- Cross and Passion
- Kildare Town Community School
- St Pauls Secondary School
- Naas Community College
- St Mary’s College, Sallins Rd, Naas
- Gael Cholaiste Chill Dara
- Newbridge College
- St Conleths Community School
- Patrician Secondary School Newbridge
- Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin
About the Student Enterprise Programme
The Student Enterprise Programme is an educational and fun-packed initiative that teaches second level students what it’s really like to be an entrepreneur and set up and run their own business over the course of the academic year. Each year an average of 29,000 second level students from all over Ireland take part and find out what it is like to be their own boss and how to run a business, experiencing all the ups and downs of entrepreneurship along the way! The Programme complements the business studies curriculum at both junior and senior level and is a rewarding experience for students, giving them the freedom to develop their business concepts to the fullest. Students can enter either individually or as part of a team. Further information on the programme can be found at http://www.studententerprise.ie or in the attached documents. As your Student Enterprise Co-ordinator, I will be on hand to support and guide you and your students at every step of the way.
Who Can Enter?
The Programme is open to all students from 1st year to 6th year. We receive a large number of entries from transition year, but we would encourage your school to consider running this programme for students in your junior cycle and we feel it will help Junior Cycle Business Studies students with their CBA’s in particular.
