€50,000 Investment Fund For Young Entrepreneurs Competition

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Kilkenny is this week launching the Kilkenny stage of the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur programme for 2019.

The LEO Kilkenny team is looking for dynamic, innovative young business people from across Kilkenny city and county to enter the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur 2019 competition.

Hosted by the Local Enterprise Offices around the country, the competition is staged in conjunction with the Dept. of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities of Ireland.

Now in its fifth year, this nationwide competition invites 18-35 year olds who have a business idea, a start-up or an already established business to enter. Applying is quick and simple. It takes about 15 minutes, is free of charge and is done on www.IBYE.ie. Applicants are then invited to participate in an Enterprise Day hosted by the Local Enterprise Office. Shortlisted applicants take part in Business Bootcamps and compete in the County Final. Here in Kilkenny, the Local Enterprise Office has an investment fund of €50,000 to share between the winners of the Best Business Idea, Best Start-Up and Best Established Business categories.”

From there, County Winners go on to compete at Regional Finals and, if successful, all the way to the National Finals at Google HQ!

But it’s not all about the National Finals. Taking part in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur challenges young business people to focus on where their business is now, and where they can take it. The business planning, mentoring, advice and support they receive during the process is of significant value. IBYE helps them to build a network of fellow local entrepreneurs and they often become trusted friends and advisors to each other. IBYE is often their first experience of getting media exposure, which is important in building a profile as a business grows.

Interested participants can apply now by visiting www.IBYE.ie. The closing date is Friday 15^th March