Three Local Businesses to win “game-changing” Investment

Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition gets underway around the country, with €50,000 to be won by three local businesses.

Three young enterprising people from Kildare can win a “game-changing” investment for their business, through Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition.

That’s according to the Local Enterprise Office Kildare, which is rolling out the IBYE competition this month.

The enterprising winners, who must all be aged between 18 and 30, will be awarded an investment prize of between €10,000 and €20,000 each to put straight into their business or to help fund a business idea.

The competition is part of the Action Plan for Jobs and was launched last month by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. T.D. and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton T.D. The closing date to enter online through www.ibye.ie  is Friday, July 31st and the competition is only open to those aged between 18 and 30 with an existing business or with an idea for a new one.

Minister Richard Bruton said: “The prizes involved can be game-changing for a new business. The investment can be used to buy a new piece of equipment for example or it can be used to help pay the salary of a new employee joining the team. The experience of last year’s IBYE winners shows the great benefit that this competition can bring. We have a growing number of entrepreneurs here in Ireland, but we don’t have enough of them. Through Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition, we’re encouraging more young people to consider setting up a business as a career choice – and the supports on offer through IBYE can help them deliver on that”.

The Local Enterprise Office Kildare has €50,000 to invest in three local businesses or start-ups. The three categories in the competition are: Best Idea (€10,000 investment prize), Best Start-Up (€20,000 investment prize) and Best Established Business (€20,000 investment prize).

Last year’s county winners in Kildare were: David Carey, Best Start Up/ Overall Winner, Will Ganly, Best Established Business and Seanan O’Riordan, Best Business Idea.

In addition to investment prizes, additional supports are being offered to those entering, as Mary Foley from the Local Enterprise Office Kildare explains: “As well as three local winners, who will share the €50,000 investment fund, up to twenty local young entrepreneurs and business owners will also be invited to take part in Business Bootcamps in Kildare, helping them finely tune their business plans and to learn new enterprise skills. One-to-one mentoring and business coaching will also be available. ”

July 31st is the deadline to enter the competition through www.ibye.ie and there are no entry fees.

Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. Further competition details are available by searching #ibye on social media.

Last years winners

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