Celebrationsfor LouthIBYEfinalist
LOUTH’S Celtic Adventure has been chosen to go forward to the National Final’s of the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition which takes place at Google on Sunday, March 4th.
The local company beat off stiff competition at the regional finals of the competition which featured county winners from Cavan, Louth, Monaghan and Meath who each challenged for a coveted place in the upcoming national finals.
LMFM’s Gerry Kelly played the role of MC and welcomed Mayors, Chathaoirligh, Chief Executives, TDs, Councillors and guests to the Ballymascanlon Hotel.
The event was proudly hosted by Local Enterprise Office Louth, part of Louth County Council.
The evening commenced with a drinks reception, photographs and dinner and tensions were high as the ceremony got underway.
Of the 12 competitors, 4 were competing for the Best Idea award, 4 for the Best Start Up award and 4 for the Best Established Business award. One winner would be named in each category and those winners would go forward to represent their county and their region at the National Finals.
Gerry called each of the 12 finalists to stage individually and interviewed them about their business and their future. The audience were so impressed by their performance and agreed that while these entrepreneurs may be young, all aged under 35, they demonstrate that Ireland’s future is in great hands.
Throughout the competition, the young entrepreneurs have received expert mentoring and support, assistance with their business plans, coaching, investment and encouragement. Before Tuesday evening’s ceremony, each finalist had to face a new panel of judges featuring Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise in Donegal, Connor Sweeney, InterTrade Ireland and Lorraine Bowen from The Entrepreneurs Academy to present their businesses. Judges had already scored their business plans. Finalists emerged from interviews exhausted, elated and excited, the interview was the final hurdle between them and the National Finals.
The finalists who will go forward to National even were teacher Mark Baldwin who has invented an affordable Virtual Reality learning support, Jessica Kavanagh of Olann which creates a range of sophisticated coloured yarns from ethically sourced materials and Louth’s Nikki Reddy of Celtic Adventures. Winner in the Best Established Business category, Celtic Adventures have grown from a summer activity provider to a thriving outdoor adventure company offering both schools and corporate programmes to clients right across the country.
Aimed at 18 to 35-year-olds, the IBYE initiative is run by the 31 LEOs nationwide.