Two local young entrepreneurs have been recognised at the county final of the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE ) competition.
Kpeme Neto of Wella Health Technologies in Athlone was named runner-up in the Best Start-up category, while Liam Tutty of Dead Centre Brewing in Moate was named winner of the Best Business Idea category.
Run by the Local Enterprise Offices, IBYE is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland. Now in its 4th year, this year attracted almost 1,500 applications nationwide.
Christine Charlton, head of enterprise in Westmeath, explained: “The search to find Ireland’s best young entrepreneur began back in August and we were delighted with the calibre of entries. After a very successful Enterprise Day, bootcamp and county final, I’m pleased to confirm that the future of enterprise and job creation in Westmeath is bright.”
The adjudicators in this year’s competition were Marie Manning of Manning Financial Services, Michael Ward of Mullingar Enterprise Centre, and Tracey Tallon and Catherine Darby of Local Enterprise Office Westmeath.
IBYE coordinator for Westmeath, Catherine Darby said: “Each of the winners and runners-up will share in an investment fund of up to €50,000 from the Local Enterprise Office to help grow and develop their business. The three category winners go forward to the regional finals in Kildare in January. The team in Local Enterprise Office Westmeath will be providing intensive supports between now and then to prepare them for the regionals, and hopefully Westmeath will have a representative at the IBYE National Finals in March.”
Stay up to date with the competition by following on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube. Find out more about supports available to entrepreneurs of all ages by visiting www.localenterprise.ie
