12/11/2014
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
A young South Dublin entrepreneur has won a place at the first-ever national final of ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition, for a chance to share a €100,000 investment fund.
Eamon Keane from Xpreso, based in South Dublin is representing the region in the Best New Start Up category at the national final in Dublin this December and has already won €20,000 in investment from the Local Enterprise Office.
Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition is an integral part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through the 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the country.
On November 6th, three local business owners and new start-ups from South Dublin, all under the age of 30, went head-to-head with other county winners from Dublin City, Fingal and Dun Laoighre Rathdown.
The nominees were all interviewed by a three member judging panel and had to deliver a business pitch, live. Assessed on criteria such as business innovation, job creation potential and financial planning, the announcement of the national finalists was made at an evening reception at the Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham, Dublin 8.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D. who presented the awards said: “I am delighted to see the quality of young entrepreneurs here today. Startups create two thirds of all new jobs in Ireland, and these entrepreneurs here today certainly have the potential to create employment in our economy. Central to the Government plans for jobs and growth is supporting more businesses to start-up. Part of this plan is also fostering a stronger culture of entrepreneurship and promoting start-up business as a career option for young people. That is what is behind this new competition to find the best young entrepreneur in Dublin and also ultimately Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur. I wish the finalists every success for the future.”
The local winner now faces tough competition from 23 other finalists, emerging from eight regional finals. The €100,000 investment fund in December is divided up across four prizes:
- Best New Idea (€20,000 investment)
- Best Start Up (€30,000 investment)
- Best Established Business, with New Add On (€30,000 investment)
- Overall Winner of ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ (an additional €20,000 investment)
Importantly, over 400 business owners and start-ups from around the country have benefitted from intensive business bootcamps and mentoring programmes at local level, as part of the competition.
The Head of Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office South Dublin, Mr. Loman O’Byrne said: “We are very proud and honoured to have a representative at the national final in December, as over 1,000 businesses entered from every county in Ireland and competition for every place was intense. Our finalist now has a chance of being crowned ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ and to win additional investment of up to €50,000 in their business. We’d also like to congratulate all our other nominees and entrants, who ‘flew the flag’ for us at the county and regional finals and we look forward to supporting their businesses into the future.”
All the local representatives at yesterday’s regional finals were:
- Eamon Keane, Xpresso, Best New Start Up
- Norma O’Mahony, Effy, Best New Idea
- Gareth Sheridan, Nutriband, Best Established
For all the latest news and updates about the ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition, visit www.ibye.ie, www.localenterprise.ie or search #ibye on social media.
ENDS
For all local media queries, please contact your Local Enterprise Office.
Image 1. Bernie McCormack LEO South Dublin,Eamon Keane from Xpreso and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D.
Photography Note: Joe Keogh Photography was commissioned to attend this regional final and high res imagery will be available, reproduction-free, from your Local Enterprise Office.
Notes to Editor:
WHAT IS THE IBYE COMPETITION?Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur is run by the new Local Enterprise Offices, and the winners at county level are eligible for an investment in their business of up to €20,000, while the winners at national level can receive an additional investment of up to €50,000. Investments in winning businesses will be determined according to business prospects and investment needs.
Mentoring, marketing and other supports will also be available to participating businesses at various stages of the competition. The competition is open to individuals aged 30 and under and will be judged under three distinct categories:
- Best new idea (best idea for a new business)
- Best start-up business (in business for 18 months or less)
- Best established business with new add-on (in business for longer than 18 months and is adding a new dimension to their business).
The first stage was a county-based competition (run by the 31 LEOs) which led to the naming of the Best Young Entrepreneur in each county. This stage also included bootcamps and mentoring programmes. This is being followed by eight regional finals and one national final, with one business-person being crowned Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (in December 2014).
Regional Finals (to be held in October and November 2014)
Finalists from Local Enterprise Offices in: Wicklow, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny
Finalists from Local Enterprise Offices in: Dublin City, Fingal, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Dublin South
Finalists from Local Enterprise Offices in: Kildare, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath
Finalists from Local Enterprise Offices in: Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan
Finalists from Local Enterprise Offices in: Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Longford
Finalists from Local Enterprise Offices in: Galway, Mayo and Roscommon
Finalists from Local Enterprise Offices in: Clare, Limerick, Kerry and Tipperary
Finalists from Local Enterprise Offices in: Cork City, South Cork, Cork North and West and Waterford
Maps, Drawings & other Documents AvailableImage 1
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