Pete Friel, Chartered Education, Rathmullan, Ellevyn Irwin, Click Clinic, Buncrana and Christy Lynch of Efficient Renewables Ltd. Muff who will be flying the flag for Donegal at the regional finals of Ireland Best Young Entrepreneur which will take place on Donegal Town Public Service Centre on Monday 10 November at 7pm
Three young Donegal entrepreneurs are flying the flag for the county at the regional finals of the inaugural ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition, which is offering an investment prize-fund of €2 million. The Regional finals will take place on Monday next in Donegal Town Public Service Centre.
All under the age of 30, the local business owners and new start-ups are going head-to-head with other winners from Sligo, Leitrim and Longford on Monday 10 November for a chance to win a place at the national final in Dublin this December, in a competition co-ordinated by the Local Enterprise Office Donegal.
Launched by the Government earlier this year, 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.
The Donegal winners, who have been selected to represent the county at the regional finals, are:
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D. said: “Central to our 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 the region also ultimately Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.”
The Head of Enterprise with Donegal County Council, Michael Tunney said: “Our winners are proudly ‘flying the flag’ for the county, competing against other young entrepreneurs in the region for a place at the prestigious national final. But the benefits of entering the competition don’t end there. Throughout Ireland, over 400 finalists have already benefitted from intensive business bootcamps and mentoring programmes at local level, so the impact of the IBYE programme will be seen for many years to come.”
The regional final on Monday 10 November is taking place in Donegal Town Public Service Centre at 7pm and the Mayors and Cathaoirligh of all participating local authorities are being invited to attend, along with representatives of the business community.
For all the latest news and results for the ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition, visit www.ibye.ie, www.localenterprise.ie or search #ibye on social media.
ENDS
Photography Note: Joe Keogh Photography will be attending 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 start-up business
best established business with new add-on
Select an option below
