More than 200 students from schools across Tallaght, Lucan, Rathfarnham and Clondalkin will descend on the Institute of Technology campus on Friday 4^th March and showcase their business intelligence at the annual South Dublin Student Enterprise Awards County Final.

Supported by the Local Enterprise Office South Dublin, the start your own business programme targets second level schools with over 700 students from 19 schools taking part this year. Since September participating students have been developing their business ideas, devising marketing plans and generating sales both inside and outside of their school community.

A total of 83 business teams comprising 246 students from 14 schools submitted business reports with the top 56 shortlisted for the County Final.

A wide range of business projects will be showcased including food, sports related service and products, health themed products, homemade cosmetics, 1916 memorabilia and various arts & crafts based ideas. Key business skills such as online marketing and social media capability was a strong feature of participating student businesses.

Increasing the opportunities for sales was also a focus this year and the local libraries and The Square in Tallaght facilitated this by allocating space to students in order to sell their produce.

A range of prizes will be awarded at the County Final including; Best Social Media Presence, Best Stand Display, Highest Sales, Most Innovative Idea, Best Marketing Strategy and Group with the Best Health & Fitness Focus. The first place winner in each category will represent South Dublin at the National Finals which sees hundreds of students from across the country travel to Croke Park to compete for the coveted title of National Student Enterprise Awards Winner 2016

For more information visit www.localenterprise.ie