Over 1,000 students prepare for next Enterprise Awards

By Mary Dennehy

MORE than 1,000 young entrepreneurs from across 18 South Dublin County schools are getting down to business and growing their innovative companies in preparation for this year’s Student Enterprise Awards.

The Student Enterprise Awards is a national programme run by the Local Enterprises Offices in each region, with the South Dublin Enterprise Awards launched in September – and with more than 280 individual business ideas submitted by more than 1,000 students from local schools.

A spokeswoman for the South Dublin Enterprise Awards said: “This is an exceptional level of involvement from our local schools and there are approximately 30 teachers assisting with the process.

“As always we have high hopes for all of the businesses being developed and we look forward to seeing the students develop their businesses into profitable enterprises.”

She added: “South Dublin has an excellent record with enterprise across all age demographics and this aims to encourage and develop this trend.

“It is an excellent opportunity for students to experience what it is really like to start up your own business, as they have to brainstorm for ideas, identify target markets, carry out market research, source materials to produce their product/service, develop a company brand, create a sales and marketing strategy, manage and record all of their finances and finally compile all of the above activity and information into a detailed business report.

“With thehelp and support of their teachers and the local coordinators the students will experience first-hand the trials and tribulations of being an entrepreneur. 

“The lessons they will learn and skills they will develop will be invaluable to them in later life when they themselves look to setting up their own businesses.”

The main sponsor for the South Dublin Enterprise Award is the Institute of Technology, Tallaght, a fitting partnership which reflects the work delivered by the local college does in the area of business innovation and supports.

The regional finals will be held in IT Tallaght on March 10, with category winners going forward to represent themselves, their school and their county at the National Awards Final in Croke Park on April 7.

Before the finals, a number of participating schools in South Dublin will host a market day on December 1 in St Jude’s GAA Club from 10.30am to 2.30pm, at which students will sell products they have been working hard on since September.

For more information on the Student Enterprise Awards see www.studententerprise.ie or www.localenterprise.ie/ SouthDublin