Press Release 21/9/16: Enterprise Eco-system supporters join forces to find Carlow’s Best Young Entrepreneurs

Enterprise Eco-system supporters join forces to find Carlow’s Best Young Entrepreneurs

Enterprise support partners and future IBYE judges joined forces in County Carlow to mark the start of the final months search for the IBYE 2016 County Carlow Finalists. Agencies staff and judges were joined by last year’s County Winners Diarmuid Byrne of Equi-Ratings and Start Up Category Winner Cory Stephens.

The competition to find the county’s Best Young Entrepreneur is run by the Carlow County Council – Local Enterprise Office.  Winners will be named in three categories – best new idea, best start-up, best new venture for established business – as well as an overall winner who will be awarded the title of “Carlow’s Best Young Entrepreneur”. The Local Enterprise Office has been provided with a fund of €50,000 to invest in the three winning businesses.

The aim of the initiative is to support a culture of entrepreneurship among young people in Ireland, to promote entrepreneurship as a career choice, and to encourage Ireland’s young people to set up new businesses which will ultimately create jobs.

Speaking at the event today Bernie O’Brien – Director of Services of Carlow County Council said “IBYE is a fantastic project for the Local Enterprise Office and aims to encourage young people to take that first step in the establishment and development of their own business”, O’Brien continued to say “the local enterprise office is seen as a beacon of co-operative working to make a difference on the ground and we are lucky to work in synergy with partners like IT Carlow, Carlow Chamber on this and a variety of programmes”.

The judging panel for the local competition was announced today and will include Ailish Delaney from IT Carlow, Derek Shannon – President of Carlow Chamber & Kieran Comerford – Head of Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office. Chair of the judging panel and Head of Enterprise of the Local Enterprise Office – Kieran Comerford said “we are looking for people who want to take their first steps in enterprise and IBYE is a perfect platform for doing same”. Comerford continued to say “all entrants this year will get the opportunity prior to presenting to the judging panel to attend a boot camp”

Speaking about the awards Declan Doyle – Head of Development for IT Carlow said “IT Carlow is delighted to be once again working with LEO Carlow to promote and drive the enterprise agenda in County Carlow. IBYE is just one way we can work in partnership to develop a dynamic enterprise base using the strengths of IT Carlow and the enterprise resources available from Carlow Local Enterprise Office”

Member of the judging panel for 2016, Derek Shannon – President of County Carlow Chamber said “IBYE really provides a platform for young entrepreneurs to develop their idea or business to the next level”, Shannon continued to say “we are delighted as Carlow Chamber to use the collective connections of Chamber members to enhance this programme”.

The local winners in the Best Start-Up and Best Established Business categories will receive €15,000 each and the two runners-up will each receive €5,000. The Best Business Idea winner locally will receive an investment prize of €7,000 and the runner-up will receive €3,000.

If you believe you are County Carlow’s next young entrepreneur for entry details go to www.localenterprise.ie/carlow or call 059 9129783. Closing date for entries is 14th October 2016. To enter go to www.ibye.ie

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For further information contact Kieran Comerford on 086/8252037 or e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie.