DUBLIN CITY BUSINESS SET FOR NATIONAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS FINAL

Media Release

11 June 2026

DUBLIN CITY BUSINESS SET FOR NATIONAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS FINAL

An advanced online education platform company from Dublin City are set to compete with the country’s best small businesses as one of the Finalists for the National Enterprise Award taking place next week.

ExamRevision will represent Local Enterprise Office Dublin City at the prestigious awards that take place on Thursday 18th June in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin.

ExamRevision was founded by three secondary school teachers to extend highly- effective, technology-enabled learning beyond the classroom. It is an internationally scalable SaaS platform providing curriculum-aligned resources, interactive tools and progress tracking. Trusted by one in three secondary schools, independent research shows measurable improvements in students’ academic performance and confidence. Exam Revision also recently won the Peter Sheridan Dublin City Enterprise Award for 2026 in March.

Speaking at the presentation of the Peter Sheridan Dublin City Enterprise Award, Keith Walsh, co-founder of ExamRevision said, “We are like the 21st-century textbook and aim to support all types of learners in accessing their Junior and Senior Cycle curricula through our wide variety of high-quality resources, such as video tutorials, presentations, quizzes and more. Opportunities like this help push us forward to continue developing, growing our business and supporting students. The ongoing support from the Local Enterprise Office Dublin City has been invaluable throughout our journey".

This is the 26th year of the Local Enterprise Office initiative, which was won last year by health tech business, SPRYT, supported by Local Enterprise Office Monaghan. Set up in 2022 by Neill Dunwoody and Daragh Donohue, their AI-powered virtual receptionist is helping to revolutionise patient engagement for healthcare providers across the globe utilising WhatsApp and SMS communication.

This year there is a wide variety of finalists competing for the title of National Enterprise of the Year. Some of those include The Smooth Company, founded by 2025 EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Áine Kennedy, Sugar Plum Sweetery, founded by Denise Buckley and David Quirke who have been at the forefront of recent confectionary trends creating Ireland’s first Dubai Chocolate Bar and Seed Golf, founded by Dean Klatt, who have become the first Irish company to design and sell high performance golf balls.

The Finalists also include a software platform that helps hotels to fix guest problems before they become damaging reviews (I Left You a Note), Ireland’s first liquid seaweed food supplement (Óir Tonics), an AgTech company that can capture damaging animal emissions in sheds and turn it into a by-product for biogas and SAF production for farmers (I/O Agri).

International war crimes lawyer Joanne Frivet is shortlisted for her company, LegalMoov which helps individuals and SMEs in Ireland find the correct lawyer for their legal position, while RYSE Chocolate, founded by Ian O’Rourke and David Stone, have created a caffeinated chocolate energy bar and are also one of the 31 Finalists for the Awards that take place on the 18th June in Dublin.

Peter Burke, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said at the announcement; “The National Enterprise Awards provide us with an opportunity to celebrate the very best of Irish entrepreneurship. Looking through the list of finalists for this year, you can see a significant variety of sectors and business ideas, from Health and Beauty to AgTech, from Software to Food and Drink.

“Every one of these finalists have the potential to scale, create jobs in their communities and make a significant impact internationally. These awards shine a light on the amazing businesses that are starting and growing across the country year on year, and we should be extremely proud of the level of founders that Ireland is producing. The previous winners and indeed finalists have shown the calibre of these awards, and it’s exciting to see where these businesses can and will go in the future.”

Warren Cray, Head of Enterprise, Dublin City Council said;“The National Enterprise Awards serve to highlight the very best businesses that the Local Enterprise Offices are working with across the country. The diversity of sectors and innovation shown again this year is outstanding and the winners will no doubt produce businesses destined for international success. I know that there was very tough competition from the shortlisted applicants, and I wish Keith, Áine and Paddy the best of luck in the competition and may the best companies win on the night”.

Local Enterprise Office Dublin City have had previous success at the awards, including in 2024 where Laura McCarthy of Drink Botanicals Ireland came away with the One To Watch award.

The Finalists compete for a total prize fund of €80,000 and along with an overall National Enterprise of the Year winner, there are categories for Best Start-Up, Best Export Business, an Innovation Award, a Digital Award, a Green Award and a Female Entrepreneur award.

There will also be an Outstanding Achievement Award presented on the night to an Irish business who started with the support of their Local Enterprise Office and has gone on to achieve international success.

The National Enterprise Awards are one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland. Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 80,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice, and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie

ENDS

Dublin City Council Media Relations Office

info@dublincity.ie
T. (01) 222 2170,
M. 087 740 0277

www.facebook.com/DublinCityCouncil

Dublin City Enterprise Awards / Local Enterprise Office Dublin City

T: (01) 222 5611

E: info@leo.dublincity.ie

www.localenterprise.ie/DublinCity

NATIONAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS – FINALISTS 2026

ExamRevision – Dublin City

Founder Names: Áine Devlin, Keith Walsh and Patrick Ward

Website:www.ExamRevision.ie

Now Coco - Fingal

Now Coco is a fast-growing Irish wellness beverage brand redefining coconut water with clean-label, naturally sourced ingredients. With a growing retail footprint and international expansion underway, the brand blends innovation, lifestyle-led marketing, and a strong commitment to health, community, and sustainability

Founder Name: Marti Nulty

Website: www.drinknowcoco.ie

Snugabugz - Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

Snugabugz is an award-winning Irish baby brand born from a simple frustration—socks that won’t stay on. Founded by mum-of-three Dervla Arthurs, it creates innovative babywear that actually stays on, combining patented design, organic materials and premium gifting appeal, with rapid growth across domestic retail and international markets.

Founder Name: Dervla Arthurs

Website:www.snugabugz.com

The Smooth Company – South Dublin

Founded in 2022 by Áine Kennedy, The Smooth Company began with one hero: The Smooth Stick™. Now a global sensation with over 150 million views, it has become one of the fastest-growing beauty brands, loved for its innovative formulas and trusted by celebrity hairstylists and customers in 92+ countries.

Founder Name(s): Aine Kennedy

Website: www.thesmoothcompany.com

Le SkinnyChef - Laois

Le Skinny Chef produces award-winning, chef-developed, plant-based pesto, sauces and concentrated soups for retail and food service markets. Founded by French Chef Aymar Gourdet, the company combines Irish ingredients with French culinary expertise. Supplying over 80 stores, the business is expanding rapidly into export markets, including the UK and Europe

Founder Name(s): Aymar Gourdet

Website: www.leskinnychef.com

Photo Experience - Offaly

Photo Experience is a technology company that transforms how attractions capture and monetise guest memories. It takes a simple photo, powers it with technology, and turns it into revenue.

The platform automates photo capture, delivers images instantly to guests’ phones, and increases conversion across theme parks, zoos, and visitor attractions.

Founder Name: Dean Kelly

Website:www.wearephotoexperience.com

Dial a Chef - Longford

Dial a Chef is a hands-on catering company producing fresh, high-quality meals at scale without losing attention to detail. From large events to daily services, Dial a Chef focuses on consistency, efficiency and food that genuinely tastes good. Dial a Chef takes pride in doing things properly and delivering meals they are proud of, every time.

Founder Name: Eilish McLoughlin

Website:www.dialachef.ie

Sugar Plum Sweetery - Westmeath

Sugar Plum Sweetery is an Irish premium chocolate manufacturer producing innovative, handmade chocolate products for the gifting, retail/wholesale and direct-to-consumer markets. Innovation is at the core, with a rapid, trend-led product development model that allows Sugar Plum to identify, launch and scale products at pace for national and international growth.

Founder Names: Denise Buckley, David Quirke

Website:www.sugarplumsweetery.ie

Equi-Ed Ltd - Kildare

Equi-Ed Ltd is a leading provider of science-based equine education, delivering innovative online courses and professional certifications to horse owners and industry professionals. Through advanced training, digital learning, and industry partnerships, Equi-Ed is raising standards in equine welfare, performance, and professional development on an international scale.

Founder Names: Theresa Murphy

Website:www.equid.com

SiSú - Wicklow

SiSú a family owned business offering a range of better-for-you products from cold-pressed juices to wellness shots, organic kombucha, plant-based milks and overnight oats. All SiSú products have originated in their family kitchen and they are now selling more than 2 million products annually. SiSú’s USP includes great taste, quality, functionality clean label. SiSú products are available nationwide, with exports to NI in place and plans for the EU and UK in 2026.

Founder name: Brian McGann

Website:www.sisu.ie

RYSE Chocolate – Meath

RYSE Chocolate is an Irish caffeinated chocolate energy bar, designed to combine real chocolate with a smooth, long‑lasting caffeine boost. Each bar contains 80 mg of steady‑release caffeine along with vitamins B6 and B12, offering energy and focus without the crash typical of fast release alternatives, all made without artificial additives or E‑numbers.

Founder name: Ian O’Rourke, David Stone

Website:www.rysechocolate.com

Óir Tonics - Clare

Óir Tonics blends traditional Irish seaweed practices and modern whole-food wellness with Moss Boss Tonic, Ireland’s first liquid seaweed food supplement. Óir Tonics champions whole food ingredients, sustainability, and Irish suppliers. Óir Tonics is available through over 300 retailers nationwide, is selling direct-to-consumer online and locally at The Óir House, Ballyvaughan.

Founder Name(s): Edel Breslin

Website:www.oirtonics.com

I Left You A Note - Tipperary

I Left You A Note is an Irish AI- powered platform helping hotels fix guest issues before they become damaging reviews. By turning in-stay feedback into real-time action and revenue opportunities, it protects reputation, drives upsells, reduces admin and gives hotels a measurable competitive edge.

Founder Name(s): Stephen O’Sullivan

Website: www.ileftyouanote.com

Eventmaster - Limerick

Eventmaster is an Irish technology company providing an integrated platform for ticketing, fundraising and membership management. Founded in Limerick, the platform supports sports organisations, charities and event organisers across Ireland and internationally, helping them manage events, engage communities, and raise millions of Euro for good causes.

Founder Name: John Cleary

Website:www.Eventmaster.ie

I/O Agri - Cavan

I/O Agri develops sustainable agri‑tech solutions that reduce agricultural odours and emissions. Their technology supports greener, more productive farming through innovative systems for ventilation, heating, milling, feed management, and on‑farm data monitoring to help farmers meet environmental and ESG targets.

Founders: Shane O'Reilly & Sandra Thompson

Website:www.ioagri.ie

The Rug Rack® - Monaghan

The Rug Rack® Company designs and manufactures innovative, patent-pending equestrian storage solutions that protect horse rugs, optimise stable space, and improve hygiene. Based in Monaghan, the company serves customers across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and North America, combining premium design with practical functionality for horse owners worldwide.

Founder Names: Padraic and Kathy Nolan

Website: www.Therugrack.ie

Caroline Duffy Designs - Louth

Caroline Duffy Designs is a luxury, sustainable fashion and lifestyle brand creating unique, nature‑inspired pieces that bring colour, joy, and wellbeing. Caroline’s mission is to wrap the world in floral energy, connecting people with nature and uplifting their spirit through vibrant products and transformative, heart‑opening creative experiences.

Founder Names: Caroline Duffy

Website:www.carolineduffydesigns.com

Niche SSP - Donegal

Niche SSP is a Donegal-based 100% export-oriented recruitment business that supplies the largest Construction companies in the US with the Top 10% of Preconstruction Talent. Niche SSP focuses exclusively on Preconstruction & Estimating, using its AI based CRM, Preconstruction Podcast and best-in-class training to better connect employers to high-quality Estimators.

Founder Name(s): Ciara and Gareth McGlynn

Website: www.nichessp.com

GerTEK - Sligo

GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services Ltd is Ireland's premier engineering consultancy, delivering technical project management, commissioning, quality and staffing services to global leaders in Life Sciences, Data Centres and Semiconductors. Founded in Sligo in 2019, GerTEK has 51 professionals across three continents generating EUR 5M+ revenue with clients including AWS, Microsoft, AbbVie and Abbott.

Founder Names: Gerry McGowan

Website: www.gerteksolutions.com

LegalMoov - Leitrim

LegalMoov is an Irish B2B legal technology platform that helps individuals and SMEs understand their legal position and connect with the right lawyer more efficiently. Using AI-enabled triage and structured digital onboarding, the platform improves access to legal services, while reducing customer acquisition costs and administrative workload for legal professionals.

Founder Names: Joanna Frivet

Website:www.legalmoov.io

Seed Golf - Carlow

Seed Golf designs and sells high-performance golf balls and equipment direct to consumers globally. Developed in Ireland through SETU-led R&D, Seed Golf delivers tour-level performance at a significantly lower price. The company serves customers across Ireland, UK, USA and Australia, with continued international expansion underway.

Founder Name: Dean Klatt

Website: www.seedgolf.com

Pawpear - Waterford

Pawpear is an Irish design-led paper stationery brand founded by illustrator Kim Whyte. Inspired by Ireland’s landscapes, language and heritage, Pawpear creates illustrated stationery and art prints, produced in Ireland and stocked by over 80 retailers at home and internationally. Pawpear is expanding through collaborations, export growth and cultural partnerships.

Founder Name(s): Kim Whyte

Website:www.pawpear.ie

Huwmo - Kilkenny

Huwmo helps independent hotels reduce dependency on online travel agencies by sending discounted deals to its Guest Community when low demand is detected. Hotels earn commission when guests they onboard to the community book at other partner hotels. Currently serving hotels across Ireland, Huwmo is on track to achieve a record-breaking 80,000 Guest Community sign-ups in year one. Join for free at www.theguestcommunity.com.

Founder Name(s): Shane Doherty & Micheál Dunne

Website: www.huwmo.com

EcoKinly - Wexford

EcoKinly is an award-winning, Wexford-based brand designing a range of reusable nappies, period products, and accessories, including a patent-pending design. The company operates through e-commerce, serving domestic and international customers. EcoKinly is expanding through retail partnerships across Ireland and developing a new reusable category for sale in-store.

Founder Name: Kate Doyle

Website:www.Ecokinly.com

Blarney Brewing Company – Cork City

Blarney Brewing Company is leading the way in sustainable brewing, supplying a range of high quality craft beers to Irish and export markets. Blarney Brewing Company aims to operate an off-grid zero waste production facility by 2029, producing the world’s most sustainably produced beer.

Founder Name(s): Pat Falvey, Duncan Blair, Ronan Russell

Website: www.blarneybrewing.ie

KK Hydraulics Ltd - Kerry

KK Hydraulics Ltd is a long-established, family-run engineering business based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. The company specialises in the manufacture of recycling equipment, hydraulic components, and also provide maintenance services.

Founder Name: Jakes Kelly & William Kelly

Website: www.kkhydraulics.ie

The Cultured Food Company – Cork North and West

The Cultured Food Company is an Irish producer specialising in fermented vegetables. Renowned for innovation and quality, it creates healthy products such as kimchi and sauerkraut, while scaling through automation, export growth, and partnerships with leading retailers and food brands.

Founder Name(s): Hayley Milthorpe

Website:www.culturedfoodco.ie

Eurojet – South Cork

Halroy Ltd specialises in the design, manufacture and servicing of custom, high pressure washing systems. They include premium, mobile hot water pressure washers, trailer-mounted fire hose foam systems and trailers equipped with mixing, spraying and foaming capabilities. The company specialises in supplying the Middle-East market with cleaning and sanitisation equipment for industrial scale poultry farm houses.

Founder Name(s): Kevin Murphy

Website: www.eurojet.ie

ACT - Mayo

ACT is a pioneering social enterprise reimagining the built environment through a regenerative lens. As a non-profit company limited by guarantee, ACT operates at the intersection of architecture, digital innovation and policy, reinvesting all surpluses into climate-focused research to deliver scalable, nature-positive solutions for Ireland’s green transition.

Founder Name(s): James McConville, Kevin Loftus, Tom Lindsay

Website: www.act-studio.com

Tully Forge - Roscommon

Tully Forge Ltd. is a Roscommon-based engineering and contract manufacturing company specialising in mechanical sub-assemblies, modular systems, and precision welding. With a strong reputation for quality and reliability, the company supports the industrial and agricultural sectors through innovative, high-quality manufacturing solutions.

Name(s): Gerard Mulrennan & Thomas Mulrennan

Website: www.tullyforge.ie

Celtic Dynamics Group - Galway

Celtic Dynamics Group is an energy engineering company providing energy audits, energy services, ESG reporting and turnkey efficiency projects for businesses and multi‑site organisations.

They support energy‑intensive sectors with technical expertise, regulatory compliance and practical implementation pathways. Ireland is the parent company base and centre of excellence hub, supporting UK and Mexico subsidiaries.

Founder Name: Dylan Walsh

Website: www.celticdynamics.com