Aimed at young and aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 30, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition is 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.
At a ceremony in Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill on 6th October, awards were made for Leitrim’s best start-up, best new idea, and best existing business, as well as an overall award for the best young entrepreneur in the county.
The local winners and investments won were as follows:
Best New Idea (winning a €10,000 investment): Iain Keaney, U-Clid, Manorhamilton - from L-R Frank Curran Chief Executive Leitrim County Council, Iain Keaney u-Clid, John Mc Cartin, Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council.
Best Start-Up (winning a €20,000 investment): Edwina Guckian, Éiru Online Dance Company, Drumsna from L-R Frank Curran, Chief Executive Leitrim County Council, Edwina Guckian Eiru Online Dance and John Mc Cartin Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council
Best Established Business (winning a €20,000 investment): Jennifer Wrynne, Jennifer Wrynne, Gorvagh from L-R Frank Curran Chief Executive Leitrim County Council, Jennifer Wrynne of Jennifer Wrynne and John Mc Cartin, Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council.
Jennifer Wrynne from Jennifer Wrynne was also named as Leitrim’s “Best Young Entrepreneur”.
All local winners will now represent Leitrim at the regional finals in The Hive, Carrick on Shannon on 27th October. A total of 24 finalists will then compete at the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur National Finals in December.
Marking the occasion, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said:
“Central to our plans for jobs and growth is supporting more businesses to start-up. Two thirds of all new jobs are created by start-ups, so if we are to create the jobs we need we must support more entrepreneurs to start new businesses. Part of this plan is also fostering a stronger culture of entrepreneurship and promoting start-up business as a career option for young people. That is what is behind this new competition to find the best young entrepreneur also ultimately Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur. We have excellent start-ups and entrepreneurs in Ireland – we just don’t have enough of them. It is great to see so many excellent entrepreneurs and business-people getting involved in this competition, and I am delighted to congratulate the local winners. I wish all three winners every success in the later stages of the competition – and wish all participants every success as they grow their businesses and contribute to the job-creation we need”.
Special guests at the #IBYE County Awards included Frank Curran, Chief Executive, John Mc Cartin, Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council.
Speaking at the ceremony, Joe Lowe, Head of Enterprise from the Local Enterprise Office Leitrim, paid tribute to all the young entrepreneurs in the region, saying: “As the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses, it is heartening to see a growing and vibrant community of young entrepreneurs locally. Through Business Bootcamps, mentoring and general business advice, the Local Enterprise Office plays a vital role in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, on a year-round basis. We will also be working closely with this year’s IBYE winners, to help maximise the return on the €50,000 investment that they have been awarded.”
Speaking at the event Frank Curran Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council outlined the importance of young entrepreneurs for the development of the County and congratulated all the finalists that took part this year wishing the winners every success at the next stage of the competition.
This year’s judging panel were also thanked during the ceremony for their role in the competition and members included Joe Lowe, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Carole Brenan, Senior Regional Development Executive, Enterprise Ireland and Brian Dolan, Business Consultant & Author.
Back in 2014, Leitrim was represented in last year’s #IBYE competition by Brian Moran, Watertech, Aughavas, Richard Wilson, Wilson Machinery, Ballinamore and Niall Kieranan, Global Green Consultancy, Carrick on Shannon.
Details around Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition are available through www.ibye.ie and information on supports for all small businesses can be accessed through www.localenterprise.ie.
