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Tomas Hayes KCC Local Enterprise Office Kerry and Kerry’s Best Young Entrepreneur Erika Fox and Bríd Bowler, Kerry LEO, from the Local Enterprise Office Kerry. Photo by Domnick Walsh
THREE of the county’s best young entrepreneurs have won a total investment of €50,000 through the Kerry County Council Local Enterprise Office, as part of the €2million Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition (#IBYE).
The three winners were Brendan O’Connell from Listowel, Shane Hassett, Killarney and Erika Fox, Glenbeigh who was also named ‘Kerry’s Best Young Entrepreneur’.
At a ceremony in Ballyseede Castle, Tralee on September 30, awards were made for Kerry’s best start-up, best new idea, and best existing business, as well as an overall award for the best young entrepreneur in the county.
The local winners and investments won were as follows:
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• Best New Idea (winning a €10,000 investment): Brendan O’Connell from Listowel with his business proposal “Project Management Live”
• Best Start-Up (winning a €20,000 investment): Shane Hassett, Killarney with his business Wazp,
• Best Established Business (winning a €20,000 investment): Erika Fox, Glenbeigh, with her business 5A Digital
• Erika Fox was also named as “Kerry’s Best Young Entrepreneur”.
Aimed at young and aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 30, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition is an integral part of the Action Plan for Jobs and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through the network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices.
All local winners will now represent Kerry regional finals in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary on November 2. 2015 A total of 24 finalists will then compete at the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur National Finals in December.
Details on Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition are available through www.ibye.ie and information on supports for all small businesses can be accessed through www.localenterprise.ie
