Joe Lowe Head of Enterprise from Local Enterprise Office Leitrim is calling on more young entrepreneurs with start-up ideas or existing businesses to enter this year’s IBYE competition before the September 29th deadline.
He said: “If you’re aged between 18 and 35, or know someone who is, we’re looking for more young entrepreneurs to enter this year’s IBYE competition to represent the county. We have a €50,000 investment fund be shared by up to six local winners and lots of places to be won on Business Bootcamps later this year.”
Last year’s winners included Michelle Fanning, Assorted Fitness, Ballinamore, Lorcan Kearns, Wild Atlantic Crusades, Kinlough and Aoife Mc Niffe, Drumshanbo.
Speaking about his IBYE experience, Lorcan Kearns from Wild Atlantic Crusades said: “I entered our company Wild Atlantic Crusades into the IBYE competition out of our curiosity, I wasn't convinced that our Company would get anywhere but I went ahead and filled out the entry form without a second thought.
It was such a well ran competition from entry to the regional stages where our journey ended. Bootcamp was a massive learning experience lead by a very intelligent and approachable mentor. When we won best start up in our county we couldn't believe it, the confidence it gave us and the opportunities that arose were outstanding.
I can't stress enough , if you have a fresh idea, established business or a start up company go ahead and enter, from the bootcamp stages to meeting people with different ideas and learning so much its a no brainer to get involved, you really have nothing to lose “.
All of those who enter IBYE in County Leitrim will be invited to participate in an Enterprise Day in October to help them further develop their business ideas and management skills, before sixteen will be selected for the bootcamp.
Now in its fourth year, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur is run by the 31 LEOs across the country and is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland. An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald T.D said: “I would encourage all young entrepreneurs, between the ages of 18 and 35, to talk to their LEO about the IBYE programme and the valuable supports available throughout the various stages of the competition.”
The three competition categories are ‘Best Business Idea’, ‘Best Start-Up Business’ and ‘Best Established Business’. Further details are available at www.ibye.ie and the deadline to enter online is September 29th 2017.
