Nationwide search for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) advances to the County Finals stage

On 19th November, just over 1,800 young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35 will commence the battle to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.

 

The search to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur is advancing to the next stage, with the announcement of the dates of the County Finals throughout November and December.

 

IBYE, which has a €2 million investment fund, is run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland.

 

A series of Bootcamps involving enthusiastic young entrepreneurs from a variety of business backgrounds are continuing across the country. The Bootcamps facilitate participants’ access to expert networking opportunities, business guidance and mentors to assist in overcoming challenges in developing their businesses.

 

The first of the County Finals takes place in Waterford on 19th November. Each of the 31 LEOs has an investment fund of €50,000 to award to up to six local entrepreneurs across three categories: Best Business Idea, Best Start-Up Business and Best Established Business.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D, said: 

“As the Bootcamps continue, it is exciting to hear that IBYE is gathering pace and moving on to the next level. IBYE is not just a competition, it is a training ground to guide and mentor young entrepreneurs through all the stages of developing a business.   A 32% rise in the number of entries this year speaks volumes. This is the proof that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well amongst our young people.  This is what the country needs more of in order to create and sustain more jobs throughout Ireland”.

Sheelagh Daly with Local Enterprise Offices said that the standard of entries is very high this year. She said: “The exceptionally high standard of entries will make the competition tough and challenging, but it will also help bring out the full potential of entrants and inspire them to succeed whether they win at the county final stage or not. We see the IBYE initiative as a springboard for young entrepreneurs, who want to start or expand a business. They will have the support of their Local Enterprise Offices around the country, all year around.”

IBYE is now in its third year and this year’s entrants are hoping to follow in the footsteps of the 2015 national winners: James Foody of Ayda in South Cork, (Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur for 2015 and Best Start-Up Business), Blaine Doyle of GlowDX in Kilkenny, (Best Business Idea), and James Keogh of Rathwood in Wicklow, (Best Established Business). The inaugural winner of the competition in 2014 was Eamon Keane of Xpreso Software in South Dublin.

 

Details for IBYE County Finals (November and December 2016)

Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE.ie) Some details are to be confirmed

Local Enterprise Office

County Final Date

County Final Location

Waterford

19/11/2016

Granville Hotel, Waterford

Kerry

23/11/2016

Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee

Wexford

29/11/2016

Council Chambers, County Hall, Wexford

Leitrim

29/11/2016

Landmark Hotel, Carrick On Shannon

Donegal

30/11/2016

Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, Co.Donegal

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

30/11/2016

Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire

Fingal

30/11/2016

County Hall, Swords

Cork City

01/12/2016

Vertigo, Cork County Hall

Cork North & West

01/12/2016

Vertigo, Cork County Hall

Cork South

01/12/2016

Vertigo, Cork County Hall

Longford

01/12/2016

Sin Bin Event Centre, Longford Rugby Club

Offaly

01/12/2016

Tullamore Dew Distillery, Tullamore (TBC)

South Dublin

01/12/2016

LEO South Dublin Offices,  Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Co. Dublin

Mayo

02/12/2016

Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar (TBC)

Roscommon

02/12/2016

Abbey Hotel, Roscommon Town

Dublin City

05/12/2016

Oak Room, Mansion House, Dublin

Limerick

05/12/2016

Castletroy Park Hotel (TBC)

Monaghan

05/12/2016

Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan

Kilkenny

06/12/2016

Kilkenny County Hall, John St, Kilkenny City

Galway

08/12/2016

Portershed, Galway City Innovation District, Eyre Square, Galway

Kildare

08/12/2016

Kildare County Council Offices, Aras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co. Kildare

Carlow

09/12/2016

Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow

Sligo

09/12/2016

The Glass House Hotel, Sligo

Westmeath

09/12/2016

 Aras an Chontae, Mullingar (TBC)

Laois

13/12/2016

Heritage Hotel, Killinard

Louth

13/12/2016

Bellingham Castle, Castlebellingham, Co. Louth

Wicklow

13/12/2016

Tinakilly Country House Hotel, Rathnew

Meath

13/12/2016

Bellinter House, Navan, Meath

Cavan

15/12/2016

Hotel Kilmore, Dublin Road, Cavan

Clare

15/12/2016

Buttermarket Building, Drumbiggle Road, Ennis

Tipperary

15/12/2016

The Peppermill, Nenagh