DUBLIN: The search is on for Ireland’s best young entrepreneurs, with the deadline for applications closing this Friday.
The competition has a total prize fund of €2 million, with €50,000 awarded through every Local Enterprise Office, €20,000 of which will go to the “Best Established Business” winner. Another €20,000 investment fund is on offer for the “Best Start-up” winner locally, with €10,000 on offer to the “Best New Idea” winner.
Three winners will be chosen by every Local Enterprise Office, and they will progress at one of eight regional finals in October, with the national final taking place in December to announce Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur for 2015.
The Action Plan for Jobs initiative is aimed at entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30, and the overall winner – Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur – will receive an investment of €50,000.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said more than 1,000 people entered the competition last year, with more than 400 young entrepreneurs benefitting from business bootcamps, mentoring and investment prizes.
“Focussing on job creation, the competition is open to everyone with their own business or innovative ideas for a new one,” he said.
