The overall winner of Clare's Best Young Entrepreneur competition was named yesterday at an awards ceremony hosted in The Council Chamber, Áras Contae an Chláir.

Supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland, the competition is designed to seek out and support entrepreneurial talent across the country. A total investment fund of €50,000 has been offered through LEO Clare to the three category winners.

Diarmuid McSweeney of True North Technologies, a developer of a grass measurement system allowing farmers to maximize their most valuable resource (grassland), was named winner of the 'Best Start-Up Business' category of the competition, which was organised by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare.  
 
Cathaoirleach of Clare Councillor James Breen presented Mr. McSweeney with a handmade piece of ceramic pottery designed and made by Jackie Maurer of Jackie Maurer Ceramics in Ballyvaughan. Meanwhile, Peter Hunt of PiggyBack was named winner of the 'Best Idea' category while Charlie Glynn of Glynn Technical Diamonds Ltd. won the 'Best Established Business' category.
 
The three local category winners now proceed to a regional competition with the winners from the region progressing to the national stage of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition, which features an Investment Fund of €100,000 to be shared among the winners at a ceremony before the end of the year.
 
Cllr. James Breen, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council commented, "Any investment in the future of our young entrepreneurs in Clare is something that should be welcomed, as we seek to build and develop sustainable communities for the people of Clare to live and work in.

"These entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our local communities. 99% of job creation locally comes from our SME’s and micro-businesses. It is our responsibility to encourage and support our young entrepreneurs as they build a future for their business."

Source: www.businessworld.ie