Mayo’s best young entrepreneurs have been announced this week at the County Final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition. Run by the Local Enterprise Offices, IBYE is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland. Now in its 4th year, this year attracted almost 1,500 applications nationwide.

Mayo winners in three categories announced

John Magee, Head of Enterprise in Mayo explained: “The search to find Ireland’s best young entrepreneur began back in August and we were delighted with the calibre of entries received in to LEO Mayo. After a very successful Enterprise Day, Bootcamp and County Final, I’m pleased to confirm that the future of enterprise and job creation in County Mayo is bright. Each of the winners and runners-up will share in an investment fund of up to €50,000 from the Local Enterprise Office Mayo, to help grow and develop their business. The 3 category winners go forward to the Regional Finals in Galway in January. The team in Local Enterprise Office Mayo will be providing intensive supports between now and then to prepare them for the regionals and hopefully Mayo will have a representative at the IBYE National Finals in March.”

Best Established Business Award

There was joy for Daniel Loftus, of UrbanFox based in Newport as they were named winner of the Best Established Business award. They were joined by Emer Loftus, of Flaunt based in Ballina, who took the runner up title in this category.

Best Start Up Business Award

The Best Start Up category was a particularly hard-fought contest. John McNicholas, of Inspire Tile and Stone based in Claremorris was named winner while Stephen Prendergast, of Mayo Glamping based in Ballyvary was named runner-up.

Best Business Idea Award

Many innovative new business concepts emerged in the Best Business Idea category. The winner was Cathal Mac Reamoinn, of Refocus Technologies in Murrisk, while Benjamin Studnicka, of Medilinks in Ballyheane scooped the runner up title.

Cathal Mac Reamoinn – Best Business Idea winner and Overall Winner

Overall Winner of IBYE for Mayo

Cathal Mac Reamoinn of Refocus Technologies was named the Overall Winner of IBYE for Mayo.

The adjudicators in this year’s competition were Catherine Burke of Bank of Ireland Westport, Tommy Griffith of PEL Waste Management and John Magee, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Mayo.

back row – from left to right – John Magee - LEO Mayo, Councillor Al McDonnell, Director of Services Catherine McConnell, Tommy Griffith – PEL Waste Management, Barry Egan – Enterprise Ireland, Chief Executive Peter Hynes, - front row – from left to right – Cathaoirleach Richard Finn, Cathal Mac Reamoinn, Catherine Burke – BOI Westport

from left to right – John McNicholas – Inspire Stone & Tile (best start up winner); Cathal Mac Reamoinn – Refocus Technologies (Best Business Idea winner); Daniel Loftus – UrbanFox (Best Established Business)