Young entrepreneurs are honoured at IBYE awards

CORK’s best young entrepreneurs were recently named at an awards ceremony hosted by Cork’s three Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in County Hall, Cork. 

The winners were chosen from 45 finalists, shortlisted from almost 190 applicants as part of the nationwide search to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE).

The campaign saw the three LEOs (Cork City, South Cork, Cork North and West) encourage young entrepreneurs to enter and be in with a chance to win a share of the €150,000 investment fund available. This is the third year of the competition open to individuals aged 18 to 35.

The final 45 young entrepreneurs attended the LEO’s intensive Business Boot Camp weekend in early November.  

In the Cork North and West competition, the Best New Idea category was won by Fiona Edwards Murphy from Kanturk, who received €7,000 investment in her company, Apis Protect, which helps beekeepers to prevent losses and increase the productivity of their hives through the use of unique in hive sensors and data processing technology. The runner-up in this category, picking up €3,000, was Emerald De Leeuw, EuroComply from Crosshaven. Hayley Milthorpe from Skibbereen, founder of The Cultured Food Company received €15,000 investment in the Best Start Up Business category. The Cultured Food Company is leading the revival of live fermented foods in Ireland. 

The title of ‘Best Established Business’, and €15,000 investment, went to Nuala Carey of Glengarriff Pharmacy.

In the LEO South Cork competition, the Best New Idea category was won by Vincent Forde from Carrigaline, who received €7,000 investment in his company, Gasgon Medical, which is a medical device company that supports medical staff in delivering improved patient care, with better outcomes, through collaboration and innovation.  Vincent Forde also walked away with the title of ‘Best Young Entrepreneur’ for the South Cork region.

Further details on www.localenterprise.ie and at www.ibye.ie. To follow the progress of Cork’s winners, check out @IBYECork on Twitter and Facebook.