The winners of the Inner City Enterprise Awards 2015 were announced yesterday by Minister Kevin Humphreys TD.
The annual awards are organised by Inner City Enterprise, a not-for-profit organisation established to advise and assist unemployed people in Dublin’s inner city to set up their own businesses or to create their own self-employment.
The awards were open to all Inner City Enterprise (ICE) clients who currently own, control and manage their own business.
To avail of these services, a client must either be an inner-city resident or planning to locate a business in the Dublin 1, 2, 3, 4 or parts of 7, 8 or 9 postal areas. ICE provides individual business advice and support, as well as access to a panel of voluntary business advisors.
ICE also provides access to micro-finance loans, both through its own revolving loan fund (funded through the Local Enterprise Office Dublin and the Social Finance Foundation) and as a conduit for MicroFinance Ireland.
The ICE Award for Best Female Entrepreneur was awarded to Mia Tobin, founder of BreweryHops, for her original five-day tour to working craft breweries, artisan food producers and national heritage sites.
Robert Giffney won the award for Best Male Entrepreneur, for his business HIM Barbershop. The judges noted that Robert brings all the quality and comfort of a high end barber shop to customers at affordable prices.
Life Coach Sarah Doyle won the third ICE Award for Best Newcomer. Sarah created the “Better Life Project” to promote happiness, health and positivity for people with mental health issues and suffering low self-esteem.
The evening ended with a surprise accolade, introduced by entrepreneur Gavin Duffy. The award for Most Creative/Innovative Idea, went to Matt Toman for his film and video production company Bankhouse. The company also provides acting workshops and classes and has recently expanded into the USA.
Kevin Humphreys TD, Minister of State at Department of Social Protection with Special Responsibility for Activation, said: “I want to congratulate Inner City Enterprise and their clients on their phenomenal work - they are at the core of our economic recovery - helping people set up their own business.
"I know the impact ICE have had in my own community and these awards are recognition of those people who have taken a step into the unknown and the ongoing support from ICE is crucial to guiding them on that path.”
Source: www.businessworld.ie
