The Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Laois has been announced.
Thirteen business people under the age of 35 were in the mix for the title with a prize fund of €50,000 up for grabs.
In what is the fourth year of the competition, there were three categories – New Idea (pre-trading), Start Up (under less than 18 months) and Established (more than 18 months).
And Gary Cobbe (Irish Polymer Extrusions Limited) came out on top as the overall winner.
Irish Polymer Extrusions Limited recycles plastic that other businesses do not require with a view to avoiding the same going to landfill.
Gary also came first in the Best Established Business category.
The winner of the best New Idea was Declan Dunne (Crate Studio) and he received €7,000 while the runner-up in that category was Hollianne Phelan (Shopline) who got €3,000.
In the two other categories the winner received €15,000 with the runner-up getting €5,000.
Jonathan Bracken (Bracken Enterprise) was named the Best Start Up with Aaron Lennon (Linked) coming in second place.
While Gary Cobbe (Irish Polymer Extrusions Limited) was also crowned Best Established Business, Sharon Leavy (Sharon Leavy College of Hair & Beauty) finished runner up in the category.
Laois County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Padraig Fleming and Chief Executive, Mr John Mulholland, were in attendance to congratulate each of the winners.
Now in its fourth year, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur is run by the Local Enterprise Offices, in partnership with the Local Authorities, across the country and is supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
The National Final will take place on Sunday, March 4, at Google HQ and the winners of the competition will share in an investment fund of €100,000.
All of the Candidates
BEST NEW BUSINESS IDEA
Nina Gillen
Blissful Foods
This is a healthy baby food business with a delivery service to your door.
Hollianne Phelan
Shopline
This is an extremely clever point-of-sale system that positively alters and enhances the experience of shopping, while also maximising shop sales.
Declan Dunne
Crate Studio
This has developed a number of platforms which allow clients to track and target customers with unified content from anywhere in the world.
Thomas Byrne
Sequential – Me
Thomas has created a fun and innovative promotional tool for companies that functions as a new type of business card – enabling them to tell their stories through comic book-style art.
BEST NEW START-UP
Frankie Horan
CTM Professional Ltd
Frankie launched his own brand Chatome – a professional hair tools range in July of this year and it is available in 70 retailers nationwide.
Aaron Lennon
Linked
This has been built on the three biggest problems currently in our industry – integrity, honesty and communication.
Jonathan Bracken
Bracken Enterprise
This man built his first house when he was 22. His business is a fabricating and welding service.
BEST ESTABLISHED BUSINESS
Luke Hyland
Luke Hyland Engineering Consultancy
Luke is the only sole practitioner Chartered Engineer in Laois. He has over 15 years experience dealing with a variety of engineering consultancy commissions.
Alan Meredith
Alan Meredith Studio
The 2016 champion. His work to date straddles the boundaries of contemporary craft, sculpture and architecture.
Joe Fitzpatrick
Fitz Hurleys
This business by former Laois hurler Joe Fitzpatrick began in 2014. He is now shipping hurleys worldwide.
Sharon Leavy
Sharon Leavy College of Hair & Beauty
Now employing 12 people, this college provides all aspects of training in the area of hairdressing and beauty.
Gary Cobbe
Irish Polymer Extrusions Limited
This company recycles plastic that other businesses do not require with a view to avoiding the same going to landfill.
David Finn
The Parlour
The Parlour is a unique walkin blowdry bar with salons now in Portlaoise and Carlow. It employs 30 staff.
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