A team of enterprising students from Co. Carlow are celebrating a major achievement after securing a place in the national final of this year’s Student Enterprise Awards.
Transition Year students Peter Kavanagh, Daniel Collins and Luke McGrath from Coláiste Eoin in Hacketstown have impressed judges with their innovative business, Timber Tote. Their product is a handcrafted mobile timber tote made from recycled wood, designed to make transporting firewood and solid fuel around the home both practical and sustainable. The trio developed their idea as part of the national Student Enterprise Programme, an initiative supported by the Local Enterprise Offices across the country, which encourages secondary school students to set up, run and grow their own businesses. Having successfully progressed through the county stage, the team will now represent Co.Carlow at the national finals, where they will compete against top student enterprises from across Ireland.
Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development and Enterprise at Carlow County Council's Local Enterprise Office, praised the students’ creativity and commitment by saying, 'The Timber Tote team have demonstrated what the Student Enterprise Programme is all about. Their product is innovative, environmentally conscious and responds to a real need in the home. Reaching the national final is a fantastic achievement and we are very proud to have them representing Co.Carlow.'
The Student Enterprise Awards, now one of the largest student entrepreneurship competitions in the country, see thousands of secondary school students take part each year. Participants gain valuable experience in areas such as product development, marketing, sales and financial management. Finalists will showcase their businesses at a national event, where they will be judged on everything from their business plan to their trading performance.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Ken Murnane O’Connor also congratulated the students on their success. He said, 'This is a wonderful accomplishment for Peter, Daniel and Luke, as well as for Coláiste Eoin and the wider Hacketstown community. Their hard work and ingenuity are a credit to them, and I wish them every success as they go forward to the national finals.'
As the students prepare for the next stage of the competition, the Timber Tote team are continuing to refine their product and presentation. With a strong focus on sustainability and practical design, they are hopeful of making a lasting impression on the national judging panel. The national finals of the Student Enterprise Awards will take place on Thursday 7th May in Mullingar, Co.Westmeath, bringing together the brightest young entrepreneurs from across the country in a celebration of innovation, enterprise and creativity.
