Entrepreneurial sprint thriving in North Cork

BUDDING teenage boffins from across the North Cork region have been given the opportunity to pitch their business ideas at the regional final of a national competition aimed at finding the next generation of Irish entrepreneurs.

At the start of each school year, thousands of pupils from schools across the country are encouraged to take part in the Student Enterprise Programme with the help of their teachers and the support of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

More than 200 students from 17 schools representing 59 mini-companies took part in the North Cork regional final held recently at the Mallow GAA Complex, all hoping to secure a place at the national final showcase at Croke Park in May.

Judges were charged with casting their eyes over each project and picking the winning ones that will represent the region in Dublin.

“Each member of the panel were impressed with the standard of entry and agreed, given the sheer depth of talent on display, that picking winners was an extremely difficult

LEO business advisor Joan Kelleher.

After much deliberation the Best Overall prize in the intermediate section went to Presentation College, Mitchelstown for their ‘ Wrap It Up’ project, which makes re-useable sandwich bags made from oil cloth. They automatically qualify for the national final.

The top prize in the senior section went to Boherbue Comprehensive School for their ‘Smooth Remove’ project, which created a device to help people remove their footwear. They will now go head-to-head with the winners from West Cork for a place in the national final.

Joan Kelleher was quick to praise this year’s entrants.

“Each year we are blown away by the ideas and the business savvy that these students have acquired at such a young age. They really are a credit to their teachers and school staff who have helped to nurture this talent. We hope to see many of these excellent young students coming through the door of their local LEO in the years to come,” she said. job,” said

Joan Kelleher (LEO) presenting a ‘Best Sales Technique’ award to the team from Boherbue Comprehensive School with Gary Lowe, programme co-ordinator; teacher Áine Ní Bhriain and judges Elaine Murphy and Willie John O’Flynn.

Joan Kelleher (LEO) presenting the ‘Best Sales Technique’ award to the team from Colaiste Mhuire, Buttevant, with Gary Lowe and judges Cathy Fitzgerald and Donal Murphy.

Joan Kelleher (LEO) presenting a ‘Best Innovation’ award to the team from Colaiste An Chraoibhín, Fermoy for their ‘Nok Nok’ project, with Gary Lowe, and judges Cathy Fitzgerald and Donal Murphy.