Laois’s best young entrepreneurs will fly the flag for the county in the regional final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) in Kildare on Friday.
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.
The regional final at the Osprey in Naas will feature county winners from Laois, Kildare, Offaly and Westmeath.
Evelyn Reddin, Head of Enterprise in Laois explained: “The search to find Ireland’s best young entrepreneur 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 Laois is bright.”
There was joy for Gary Cobbe, aged 32 of Irish Polymer Extrusions Limited in Mountmellick as they were named winner of the Best Established Business award. They were joined by Sharon Leavy, aged 34 of Sharon Leavy College of Hair and Beauty in Portlaoise, who took the runner up title in this category.
The Best Start Up category was a particularly hard-fought contest. Jonathan Bracken, aged 33 of Bracken Enterprise in Portarlington was named winner while Aaron Lennon, aged 34 of Linked in Portlaoise was named runner-up.
Many innovative new business concepts emerged in the Best Business Idea category. The winner was Declan Dunne, aged 30, of Crate Studio in Portlaoise while Hollianne Phelan, aged 19 of Shopline in Portlaoise scooped the runner up title.
Gary Cobbe of Irish Polymer Extrusions Limited was named the Overall Winner of IBYE for Laois.
Investment
“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,” said IBYE Co-ordinator for Laois, Honor Deevy.
“The team in Local Enterprise Office Laois has providing intensive supports to prepare them for the regionals and hopefully Laois will have a representative at the IBYE National Finals in March,” she added.
Find out more about supports available to entrepreneurs of all ages by visiting www.localenterprise.ie.
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