The winners of the Small Firms Association (SFA ) National Small Business Awards 2026 have been announced. The awards celebrate the achievements of small businesses in Ireland and recognise the important and vital contributions of this sector to the Irish economy.
Three Galway businesses were winners in three categories. The manufacturing award was won by Oranmore-based Hygeia. The Innovation award was won by JPK Fencing, a company based in Claregalway. The food and drink award was won by Spidéa-based company Builín Blasta.
In addition, five ‘Emerging New Businesses’ were selected from hundreds of applications received for the 2026 programme. Galway City -based Irish Camper Goods was one of five companies selected.
Lawrence Engineering was named as Overall National SFA Small Business Winner 2026.
Lawrence Engineering is a family-owned precision engineering and contract manufacturing company founded in 1984 by Michael Lawrence and led since 2019 by his son James. Renowned for innovation and advanced manufacturing capability, the company delivers high quality injection moulds, extrusion tooling, precision components, and subassemblies.
Manufacturing excellence has been central to Lawrence Engineering’s evolution, particularly as it has grown into a trusted international supplier to leading medical device manufacturers. Over the past five years, the company has transformed from a primarily domestic operation into a global partner, now serving customers across 12 international markets including the USA, Costa Rica, Turkey, Spain, and India.
Addressing the gala event, SFA Director, David Broderick said: ” The Small Firms Association – Small Business Awards honours, the work, tenacity, courage and sacrifices that small business owners make, which are often forgotten. All the award finalists are all here because they deserve recognition as business leaders and also as the often-unsung heroes of our communities.”
The ten category winners are:
Manufacturing Award sponsored by PTSB: Hygeia, Oranmore, Co. Galway
Highly Commended: K Factory Print& Embroidery, Dublin
Food and Drink Award sponsored by Bord Bia: Builín Blasta, An Spidéal, Co. Galway
Highly Commended: Pizza da Piero, Dublin
Services sponsored by Sage: Company Bureau, Dublin
Outstanding Small Business Award sponsored by Elavon: Donna Reilly People & Wellness, Dublin
Family Business Award sponsored by Interpath: Dromod Boxty, Drumod, Co. Leitrim
Highly Commended: Boxty House, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Innovation Award sponsored by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI ):
JPK Fencing, Claregalway, Co. Galway
Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by Enterprise Ireland: Lawrence Engineering, Lavagh, Co. Sligo
Sustainability Award sponsored by Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI ):
Dingle Sea Salt, Dun Chaoin, Co. Kerry
Workplace Wellbeing Award sponsored by DeCare: 3Q Recruitment, Dublin
The Emerging New Business award sponsored by Microfinance Ireland is a category to encourage emerging entrepreneurs to promote and grow their business.
The winners are:
Biovit Technologies, Dublin
Career Navigator, Dublin
ealu, Co. Wicklow
Four Acre Foods, Co. Meath
Irish Camper Goods, Galway City
Entrants in this category are under two years in business and the winners were identified by the judging panel as companies that will grow into successful organisations.
The Awards prize package for ALL finalists included a strategic management masterclass; participation in the SFA Business Connect event in February last, media exposure in a special supplement published with the Irish Independent today 05 March ). The total prize for finalists is valued at €50,000 each.
The category winners were presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association for one year.
Skillnet Ireland are sponsors of the awards management training and media partner is Irish Independent.
