Sligo’s best young entrepreneurs have been announced last Friday (December 8th) at the County Final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition, held in City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo.
Sligo’s Best Young Entrepreneurs Announced
Sligo’s Best Young Entrepreneurs Announced
- Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur - Sligo Finalists
Run by the Local Enterprise Offices, IBYE is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland. Now in its 4th year, this year attracted almost 1,500 applications nationwide.
John Reilly Head of Enterprise in Sligo explained:
“The search to find Ireland’s best young entrepreneur began back in August and we were delighted with the calibre of entries. After a very successful Enterprise Day, Bootcamp and County Final, I’m pleased to confirm that the future of enterprise and job creation in Sligo is bright.”
There was joy for John Flanagan, aged 34, of Innovision Media Ltd. in Strandhill as they were named winner of the Best Established Business award. They were joined by Kimberley Lee, aged 27 of Oh Hello Clothing in Collooney who took the runner up title in this category.
The Best Start Up Business category was a particularly hard-fought contest. Gary O’Reilly, aged 29 of Gary O’Reilly International Choreography in Geevagh was named winner while Rachel Mulrooney, aged 29 of Salt and Soul Wellness Studio in Strandhill was named runner-up.
Many innovative new business concepts emerged in the Best Business Idea category. The winner was Noel Dykes, aged 35 of Frankli Communication Technologies in Sligo town while Donal Tobin, aged 26 from Strandhill scooped the runner up title.
John Flanagan of Innovision Media Ltd., was named the Overall Winner of IBYE for Sligo.
The adjudicators in this year’s competition were Carol Brenan of Enterprise Ireland, Sile Haran of Sligo Tourism and Marcella Rudden of LEO Cavan. The awards ceremony was attended by other special guests including T.D.’s Eamon Scanlon and Tony McLoughlin, and Councillor Seamus Kilgannon (Cathaoirleach, Sligo County Council), Councillor Jerry Lundy, and Councillor Marie Casserly.
IBYE Co-ordinator for Sligo, Stephen Walshe concluded
“Each of the winners and runners-up will share in an investment fund of up to €50,000 from the Local Enterprise Office to help grow and develop their business. The 3 category winners go forward to the Regional Finals in Donegal in January. The team in Local Enterprise Office Sligo will be providing intensive supports between now and then to prepare them for the regionals and hopefully Sligo will have a representative at the IBYE National Finals in March.”
Stay up to date with the competition by following on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube. Find out more about supports available to entrepreneurs of all ages by visiting www.localenterprise.ie.
Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur - Best Business Idea Award Winner Noel Dykes
Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur - Best Established Business Winner - John Flanagan
Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur - Best Start-Up Business Winner - Gary O’Reilly