LOUTH SENDS 2 TO IBYE FINAL IN GOOGLE
2 of the 24 finalists in the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition hail from County Louth. From 1,600 national competitors, Conor Kerley of Setanta Nutrition Science and Orla Stafford of Izmoo have made it through bootcamp, county finals and regional finals to represent Louth at the national finals in Google on Sunday 15th September.
On Tuesday last the two finalists went to the Dept. of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to meet Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister Pat Breen and explain their business. There they met the other 22 competitors and took part in an intensive Pitch Training Day ahead of the judging on Thursday next, 12th September.
Describing the impact IBYE has had on his developing business, Conor explained: “Taking part in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur has been such an inspiration for my business. I and my business Setanta Nutrition Science have been supported, guided and mentored from the start by the team in the Local Enterprise Office in Louth. To be among Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneurs, who display so much passion, energy and drive, is a truly amazing experience. I’ve learned so much through the process and I’ll carry that learning with me forever.”
Orla outlined the difference that IBYE has made to her as an entrepreneur and business person: “The competition has helped me as an entrepreneur to strive for further success and growth of my business and helped me to build a network of other like-minded highly motivated young Entrepreneurs.’
IBYE Co-ordinator for Louth Sarah Mallon concluded “The team at the Local Enterprise Office in Louth are so proud of our two finalists, Conor and Orla. We are one of only three counties in Ireland to have two representatives at the finals. They are brilliant young entrepreneurs and we’ll be cheering loudly for them on Sunday in Google.”
The Local Enterprise Office in Louth provides support, mentoring, training and, in certain cases grant aid, to businesses and business owners at all ages and stages. To learn more about their services visit: www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Louth.
Release Date: Wednesday 4th September 2019
Photo Caption:
L-R in the Photo – Martin Corry, Enterprise Ireland, Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, finalists Conor Kerley (Setanta Nutrition Science) and Orla Stafford (Izmoo), Pat Breen, T.D., Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection and Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices.
Supporting Information:
Best New Idea: Conor Kerley, Setanta Nutrition Science:
A Dundalk native, Conor Kerley is a Doctor of Human Nutrition and Dietetics who has developed a natural nutritional supplement that can help change the lives of people all over the world suffering with diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions. By lowering blood sugar, inflammation, fats and cholesterol, his supplement will help prevent and treat debilitating conditions. A finalist in the Best New Business Idea category, Conor has already developed the prototype, is in the process of applying for a patent and starts clinical trials later this year. With all of this in hand, he plans to launch his product within 12 months.
Best Start-Up Business: Orla Stafford, Izmoo
20 year Orla Stafford, from Drogheda, is the founder of the multi-award winning Izmoo Gelato company. Started in Drogheda in January 2018, Orla opened her second retail outlet in Rosslare this summer. Orla was also named the overall county winner of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur for Louth. A first year student of E-Commerce and Retailing in TU Dublin, and a finalists in the Best Start-Up Business category, Orla is a young entrepreneur with strong vision and big dreams.
For further information please contact:
- Sarah Mallon, Local Enterprise Office Louth Tel. 087 9059583
- Karen Devine, WhiteLight Consulting 087 8131901 or karen@wlc.ie
