The winners and runners-up of Waterford's Best Young Entrepreneur were announced at an awards ceremony in Dooley’s Hotel, hosted by the Local Enterprise Office on Friday night.
Chosen from 18 local finalists the winners and runners-up share a €50,000 investment fund and will go on to represent Waterford at the Regional Finals of the Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur competition in June.
The ‘Best New Idea’ category, with a €7,000 investment fund, was won by WIT student Daniel Connolly, founder of Defynd. Defynd is an online platform which will allow students to search words and terms and receive a list of academic definitions from published literature. The runner-up award and €3,000 investment fund went to Bryan Hurley of Needy Insights.
Abby Wood was the winner of the ‘Best Start-Up Business’ category and a €15,000 investment fund. Abby’s business, The Content Lab, works with digital agencies to create innovative content strategies. Ivan Kiersey of Freezin’ Friesian was runner-up and received a €5,000 investment fund.
Meanwhile, the title of ‘Best Established Business’, with an investment fund of €15,000, went to Conor Walsh of Encon. For over ten years in the retrofit market, Encon has been delivering retrofit homes, making them energy efficient and affordable to run. The runner-up in this category, scooping a €5,000 investment fund was Stephen Lynch of Momentum Events.
Conor was also awarded the title of Waterford’s ‘Best Young Entrepreneur’.
Richie Walsh, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Waterford said, “Waterford boasts a wealth of young, innovative entrepreneurs. The Waterford IBYE competition highlighted the drive these finalists have, and they are destined to make a huge positive impact in their respective industries.”
“IBYE is about discovering local potential and nurturing that talent through financial supports, mentoring, training and networking opportunities. What stood out for LEO Waterford throughout the whole process, was the determination and unyielding belief that these young entrepreneurs have in themselves and their businesses. It’s heartening to see, as these are the individuals who will contribute significantly to the local economy.”
In the lead up to the county final, each finalist received targeted business supports through Local Enterprise Office Waterford. They attended an intensive Business Boot Camp, receiving mentoring and support on their business plans, pitch training as well as getting the opportunity to connect with other young entrepreneurs from the city and country.
IBYE, now in its fifth year, is a nationwide youth enterprise initiative to help 18-to-35 year olds with an innovative business idea, new start-up or established business. In 2019, 1,644 young entrepreneurs entered IBYE, which is an initiative of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities.
The county winners from Waterford will now progress to the regional finals. In all, 24 national finalists will be selected at regional finals across the country to compete for the overall title of “Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.”
At the IBYE national final on Sunday 15th September, which takes place at Google’s European Headquarters in Dublin, a €100,000 investment fund will be awarded to winners.
