Three young Laois Entrepreneurs took home a total of €50,000 investment after being crowned winners at the Laois county final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.

Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (#IBYE) is a competition aimed at entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30, forming an integral part of the Action Plan for Jobs and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through the network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices.

The winners were announced after an enjoyable lunchtime reception at The Heritage Hotel Killenard on Friday 2^nd of October. Awards were made for Laois’ best new business idea, best start-up and established business, as well as the overall award for Laois Best Young Entrepreneur.

#IBYE winners Michael Casey- M.A.C Developments, Noel Walsh-Walsh Agri and Stephen Dowling-Dúnmasc Genetics.

The winners and the investments in each category were as follows:

• Best New Business Idea (€10,000 investment)- Michael Casey of M.A.C Developments

•  Best Start-Up (€20,000 investment)- Noel Walsh of Walsh Agri

• Best Established Business (€20,000 investment)- Stephen Dowling of Dúnmasc Genetics

The overall title of “Laois Best Young Entrepreneur” was awarded to Michael Casey, M.A.C Developments.

Special guests at the #IBYE County Awards included Cathaoirleach Laois County Council Catherine Fitzgearld, Laois County Council Chief Executive John Mulholland and Michael Brougham Director Enterprise Ireland Midlands region.

The winners are now preparing with expert mentors for the regional finals taking place in Tullamore on November the 5^th. We wish them the very best of luck, #teamlaois.

For more information on IBYE please visit www.ibye.ie.