The Finalists in Irelands Best Young Entrepreneur Competition from both County Carlow and Kilkenny were present in Butler House here in Kilkenny over the weekend for the Bootcamp stages of the Competition.

Now in its’ 4th year, #IBYE  enterprise initiative from the Department of Business,  Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland is co-ordinated by all 31 Local Enterprise Offices and begins with a nationwide competition across three categories at county level:

1. Best Idea,
2. Best Start-Up Business and
3. Best Established Business.

Butler House in Kilkenny, a Georgian building steeped in history has the venue and provided a source of inspiration to participants over the course of the 2 days Bootcamp. The Bootcamp was delivered over the course of the 2 days Friday 20^th & Saturday 21^st October by the South East Business and Innovation Centre (South East BIC) www.southeastbic.ie – Aidan Shine and Rosemary Ward. Guest speaker attending Jennifer O’Connell, Irish Time journalist & Silicon Valley trained digital communications professional.

At the County Final Stage there is an investment fund of €50,000 available to the overall finalists i.e.  6 investment prizes to three category winners and three runners-up, before the Regional Finals early next year.  24 contenders will be selected from the regional finals to compete for the national title of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Google HQ, Dublin on Sunday 4^th March. A further €100,000 investment fund will be available to invest in the winners of the three categories at the national final, one of which will also be named “Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur”.

While the €50,000 investment fund for each County is a very important part of the competition and will help more young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and create more jobs here locally. Other business supports, such as the Bootcamp here today, management training, networking and one-to-one mentoring are also at the heart of the IBYE competition. Taking part in IBYE will help Ireland’s young entrepreneurs to move their businesses to the next level, whatever stage their business is at.