IRELAND’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS REVEALED AHEAD OF NATIONAL FINALS

The national finalists for Ireland’s largest student enterprise programme have been announced ahead of next month’s finals. From an initial 30,000 participants, over 200 students representing 88 student-run businesses have made it through to the final stage of the Student Enterprise Programme. A group of these finalists gathered in Dublin today for the announcement.

The finalists span a diverse range of sectors, showcasing the creativity and commercial awareness of Ireland’s young entrepreneurs. This year’s line-up includes innovations such as Fleet Monitor, a ship tracking app; Tiny Terrariums, a miniature plant world; WireLessCam, a waterproof wireless camera solution; and JCS Plates, a business specialising in custom-designed licence plates.

The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices has seen over 500,000 secondary school students take part since it began in 2003. The 88 shortlisted businesses will exhibit at the National Finals on the 7th May in Mullingar where winners will be announced across the three categories of senior, intermediate and junior and one business will be named Student Enterprise of the Year for 2026.

Gareth Evans, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices’ Enterprise Education Committee, said; “Every year, the Student Enterprise Programme uncovers incredible ideas from classrooms across the country, and this year is no different. These finalists have shown real initiative, creativity and determination to get to this stage, and they represent the very best of youth entrepreneurship in Ireland today. From problem-solving apps to eco-conscious innovations, their businesses reflect not only commercial potential but also a strong sense of purpose. We’re proud to support these students as they take their first steps into the world of enterprise.”

The Student Enterprise Programme is open to students of all ages at second level, with three separate categories - Junior (1st year), Intermediate (2nd and 3rd year) and Senior (4th, 5th and 6th year, LVA, LCA and Youth Outreach). There are also prizes awarded for excellence in sustainability and intellectual property.

The Student Enterprise of the Year for 2025 was ‘Cannon PC’ from Clonkeen College, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. The idea, created by Jack Cannon focused on sustainability, refurbishing and upcycling discarded office computers into high-performance, affordable gaming PCs.

The Student Enterprise Programme is funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country. Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 500,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business.

The Student Enterprise Programme is one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.

For further information:
Sadhbh O’Donovan – Drury – 083 470 6675 / Sadhbh.odonovan@drury.ie
Roisin Carroll – Enterprise Ireland – 087 742 7003/ Roisin.Carroll @enterprise-ireland.com

PREVIOUS STUDENT ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME WINNERS

2025

Junior – Bumblebees, Drumshanbo Vocational School, Leitrim

Intermediate – Suet & Song, St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny

Senior – Cannon PC, Clonkeen College, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Dublin

2024

Junior – Carry Caman, Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland, Kerry

Intermediate – Esker Timber Creations, Presentation College Athenry, Galway

Senior – High Lift, St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, Meath

2023

Junior – Grasper, Drumshanbo Vocational School

Intermediate – Clip Clop Designs, Moyne Community School, Longford

Senior – MC Compactors, Roscommon Community College

2022

Junior – Sew Stylish - Brigid’s College, Callan, Kilkenny

Intermediate – Earrings by Aoibheann- Loreto College, Dalkey, Dublin

Senior – Barrelda – St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan

2021

Junior – Go Green Now – Salerno Secondary School, Galway

Intermediate – T-Snappi – Summerhill College, Sligo

Senior – Coppercase – St. Macartan’s College, Monaghan

2020

Junior – Sofatop – Ballybay Community School, Monaghan

Intermediate – Aim It Board – Loreto College, Dublin City

Senior – Handy Hose – CBS Thurles, Tipperary

2019

Junior – Specrest – Educate Together, Portmarnock

Intermediate – Crios Mhadra – Presentation Secondary, Castleisland, Kerry

Senior – Smooth Remove – Boherbue Comprehensive, North Cork

2018

Junior – Complete Caman – Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland, Kerry

Intermediate – Lift Arm Assist – CBS Kilkenny

Senior – Abbey Bread – Cistercian College, Roscrea, Offaly

2017

Junior – Daisy’s Pawesome Bowties – Our Lady’s Secondary School, Drogheda

Intermediate – Scott Engine Tables - Colaiste Chill Mhantain, Rathnew, Wicklow

Senior – ROC Protection – Clonkeen College, Blackrock, Dublin