National Enterprise Awards celebrate success of small firms
By William O'Connor
THE NATIONAL Enterprise Awards will take place in Dublin during May and the South Dublin Local Enterprise Office is now launching the County Competition to identify South Dublin’s best micro enterprise.
The County Winner will go forward to represent South Dublin in the National Finals and compete against 31 winning firms from around the country.
The Awards, organised by the National network of Local Enterprise Offices, celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s micro-enterprise sector.
The awards recognise and celebrate the success stories of small business owners from all over the country, with the National Finalists competing for a Prize Fund of €41,000.
The National Enterprise Awards competition is open to small businesses that have received financial support from the Local Enterprise Office.
Eligible businesses will employ ten or less staff and previous County winners may re-enter.
The South Dublin County Enterprise Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, March 7. The Awards Ceremony is a celebration of the diverse range of businesses in the County, and a great Networking event. The winners will be presented with specially commissioned awards, monetary prizes and Certificates of achievement with a total Prize Fund of €12,500.
The application process is as follows: Applications for NEA 2018 must be in by the deadline of 5pm on February 23.
The overall winner will be sent to the National Final which takes place on May 24 (Prize Fund of €41,000).
The National Judging Weeks commencs on April 9 to 16 (venue to be confirmed).
The Awards Categories are; Overall Winner (to be sent to the National Finals): €5,000; Export Award: €2,500; Best Start-Up: €2,500 and Innovation Award: €2,500.
If you wish to enter, email the NEA Application Form, a Business Plan, together with the most recent set of financial statements to info@leo.sdublincoco.ie, under the subject line ‘NEA 2018’.
For more information, please contact Sandra Hickey at shickey@sdublincoco.ie or on 01-414 9000 extn. 3133.
