The 31 finalists for this year’s National Enterprise Awards were announced with companies from across the country competing for the top prize at the awards in The Mansion House on May 23, which marks their 24th year.
They cover a range of sectors and industries from transformational digitisation software and reduced mobility booking systems to luxury handmade chocolates, hand crafted natural soap and the first Irish vermouth.
Pictured ahead of the National Enterprise Awards is Finalist Anna and Orla Snook O’Carroll of Valentia Island Vermouth, representing LEO Kerry at the National Finals, taking place on the 23rd May in Dublin. The National Enterprise Awards, now in their 24th year, are an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate the best of Ireland’s small businesses. Finalists representing the 31 Local Enterprise Offices will be in attendance at the gala event competing for a share of the €50,000 prize fund. Photo Martina Regan
A software company from Kildare has been named the overall winner at this year’s National Enterprise Awards. DreamDev Technologies has developed a new AI augmented platform which aims to help companies reduce the amount of time it takes to get their products to market.
John Magee, Chair of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices, said that the National Enterprise Awards serve to highlight the very best businesses that the Local Enterprise Offices are working with across the country.
“The diversity of sectors and innovation shown again this year is outstanding and the winners will no doubt produce businesses destined for international success. These businesses have excelled in their areas and have the potential to follow in the footsteps of previous winners to become successful global companies,” Magee said
The finalists compete for a prize fund of €50,000 and along with an overall National Enterprise of the Year winner there are categories for Best Start-Up, Best Export Business, an Innovation Award, a One-to-Watch Award, and a Sustainability Award.
There is also an Outstanding Achievement award for a business that started with their Local Enterprise Office and has gone on to achieve international growth with the assistance of Enterprise Ireland.
Valentia Island Vermouth is the first Irish vermouth, it is a handcrafted, artisan premium multi-award winning vermouth, supplying Michelin star restaurants, premium cocktail bars and restaurants and 5 star hotels across Ireland. It is available in good independent retailers and select multiples. The Company is exporting to the US this year having secured accounts in DC and New York City.
