Best entrepreneurs honoured with Local Enterprise Awards

AS PART of the Local Enterprise Week, South Dublin, four of the counties best entrepreneurs have been honoured with prizes at the South Dublin County Enterprise awards, as part of the National Enterprise Awards 2017.

Aimed at companies that have received Local Enterprise Office supports to aid their growth, the National Enterprise Awards are facilitated through the network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices.

At a ceremony in County Hall, Tallaght on March 9, awards were made for South Dublin’s best and most innovative businesses in the county.

The winners were as follows: 1st Place and overall winner, Aidan McDonnell, Acutrace, Nangor Road, Dublin 12; Export Award: Linda & Ian Reilly, SAS Garage Doors, Whitestown Way, Tallaght Dublin 24; Best Start Up: Joanne Davey, Absolute Nutrition, Brittas; Most Innovative: Sonia Neary, PhysioLinked, Synergy Centre, IT Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Speaking at the ceremony, Colm Ward, of the Local Enterprise Office South Dublin, paid tribute to all the applicants and finalists, saying: “As the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses, it is heartening to see a growing and vibrant community of entrepreneurs locally.

“The Judges spoke highly of the standard of the applications received for the County Enterprise Awards, and commended all the finalists, and wished them well for the future”.

The Awards were presented by Mayor Guss O’Connell, who said: “This process has left us in no doubt as to the quality of entrepreneur we have here in South Dublin which bodes well for the local economy.”

This year’s judging panel were also thanked during the ceremony for their role in the competition, as were the sponsors of Local Enterprise Week South Dublin, who helped make it such a success.

The event also saw the Local Enterprise Week 2017 keynote address, given by The Happy Pear who gave an insight into their philosophy on food and how to achieve a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

They shared the highs and lows they have faced, and it proved to be afantastic evening for the room full of entrepreneurs and Happy Pear fans alike. 

The Happy Pear will also be opening their flagship Dublin café in the Clondalkin Round Tower Centre in June this year.

Colm Ward of South Dublin LEO wished Acutrace the best of luck going forward to the National Finals in the Mansion House, May 25.