Entrepreneurs of the future shine at Meath Student Enterprise Awards

The 23rd Annual Student Enterprise County Final took place on 11th March, at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, showcasing the talents and entrepreneurial spirit of students from across the county.

Some 260 students and 72 individual businesses represented the largest interest in the Student Enterprise Programme in its' 23-year history in county Meath.

First place in the senior category went to 'Púc Protectors' from St Ciaran’s Kells who developed an eco-friendly timber storage for GAA equipment. In the intermediate category, the winner was from St Patrick's Classical School Navan, offering 'Future Dev', an alternative to ChatGPT and, in the junior category, first place went to 'Stud Savers' from St Olivers, Oldcastle, who created a product to protect studs on football and rugby boots.

This event brought together some of the brightest young minds, offering them a platform to present their innovative business ideas and compete for prizes.

Speaking about the event, Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe said: “It is absolutely wonderful to see there is such an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship among our young people in County Meath. The many bright young minds who were in attendance will be our business leaders of tomorrow, and their determination and ambition will help us continue to make Meath an economically vibrant and sustainable county."

The judges assessed each of the businesses the students created and developed either a product or service for.

In a true to life business scenario, students from all over Meath exhibited at their stands to judges who posed questions about the origin and the future potential of their business. Students then took part in a Dragons Den style pitch to be awarded best pitch in their category.

The judges chose an overall winner in each category, Junior, Intermediate and Senior who will now progress to represent the county [ in the national finals in Mullingar on May 8th.

Sustainability and AI featured strongly in a number of the businesses. As part of the programme the students researched, developed and prepared business plans and learnt skills that will stand to them in the future if they pursue a career as an entrepreneur.

Joe English, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Meath said: "For the team in the LEO, we always look forward to this judging process because we get the opportunity to appreciate the hard work you have done. It is absolutely brilliant and very impressive. I am delighted to say that this year is the biggest Student Enterprise Programme ever run in county Meath.”

Students are following in the footsteps of last year’s national winner Seán Finnegan of Finnegan Fabrication who just this week was confirmed to be taking part in the BT Young Scientist Business bootcamp. This programme really can open doors, and the Local Enterprise Office will provide guidance support and expertise along the way.

Each of the three categories also saw awards presented for sustainability, innovation, the best pitch and the best display.

Full list of winners is:

Junior Category

Best Pitch – Stud Savers , St Olivers, Oldcastle

Best Display – Girlz, Eureka

Sustainability Award – Cosy Candle , Eureka

Innovation Award – Tails, Eureka

Third Place – Shark Grips -

Second Place – Bluebell Cottage - Eureka

Overall Winner – Stud Savers, St Olivers Oldcastle

Intermediate Category

Best Pitch – Snack & Roll, Eureka Navan

Best Display – Cute Crochet Creations, O’Carolan College

Sustainability Award – Hubcap Clocks, St Olivers

Innovation Award – Poco Bows, Colaiste Rioga

Third Place – Study Buddy, Loreto Navan

Second Place – Snack n Roll, Eureka

Overall Winner – FutureDev, St Pat’s Navan

Senior Category

Best Pitch – TagMaster – O’Carolan College

Best Display – Souher Sprinkles – Colaiste De Lacy

Sustainability Award – Mishells – Loreto, Navan

Innovation Award – Ultra Vanity – Eureka

Third Place – Cotton Creations - Eureka

Second Place – Woodfield Woodcraft – St Pat’s Navan

Overall Winner – Puc Protectors – St Ciaran’s, Kells

The Enterprising Spirit School Award went to Boyne Community School.

The Enterprise Educator of the year award went to Emily Briody – Enfield Community