Local Enterprise Office launches ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition for innovative TECH start-ups

The inaugural  ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition will open for entries from 7^th March, during this year’s Local Enterprise Week. The competition is open to people in Kilkenny with a Tech related business idea or in the early stages of trading (less than 18 months). If you have an original and innovative idea within the technology sector (e.g. Agri-Tech, AI, Ecommerce, FinTech, Gaming, Healthcare, ICT, IOT, Robotics, etc.) and intend setting up a business in Kilkenny ,or already in the early stages of development, check out this competition.

The initiative will involve a series of business workshops and one-to-one mentoring culminating in a finale comprising of an investor ready pitch for an investment fund worth €10,000 (€6,000 in the Start-up Category and €4,000 in the Ideas Category) . 

At the launch of the ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fidelis Doherty said “The Local Enterprise Office is the first stop for any entrepreneur who is looking to start or grow their business. This competition aims to encourage and support people starting out on their entrepreneurial journey”.

Also speaking at the launch, John Duggan, Founder and Director of Kilkenny based Fintech company Loanitt, now the largest financial intermediary in Ireland and  started their journey with the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny just 3 years ago, said “from the outset, Loanitt was supported with a range of supports from LEO Kilkenny including the Business Start-Up Priming Grant, the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, mentoring supports and participation on the Management Development Programme”. He added “we also learnt a lot through participation in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition in terms of refining the business proposition and developing an investor ready pitch which helped to prepare for future funding applications. I would encourage anyone with a Tech related business idea or start-up to get involved in the ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition”.

At the first stage of the competition, applicants are invited to submit their entries via an online application form on www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny .  Closing date for entries is Wednesday 23^rd March. Participants will then by supported to refine and finalise their business proposal and the winners will be announced at the end of May 2022 following a competitive pitch process.

Businesses across Kilkenny are being encouraged to take advantage of the array of events at this year’s Local Enterprise Week.  The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices takes place from the 7^th to 11^th March with over 220 events for businesses and entrepreneurs taking place in person and online across the country. Along with the specific local events such as ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition, the commencement of our ‘Starting a Business Programme’ and the first in our monthly series of ‘Green For Your Business’ seminars taking place on Thursday 10^th, there are 12 national Spotlight events that are available online, taking place across the week and open to all small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country.  These events are free to join online and cover everything from digitalisation and exporting to future proofing your business and boosting your business online. 

For more information about Local Enterprise Week schedule and the ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition, visit www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny

At the launch of the ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition, from left to right: Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny; Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fidelis Doherty, Kilkenny County Council; John Duggan, Co-Founder and Director, Loanitt and Colette Byrne, Chief Executive, Kilkenny County Council.