€50,000 up for grabs in search for Kilkenny’s Best Young Entrepreneur 2019

DO you have what it takes to become the next Richard Branson or Mark Zuckerberg?

Young entrepreneurs from across Kilkenny city and county are being urged to enter the prestigious Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur 2019 competition.

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Kilkenny today said it is “delighted” with the positive response it has received since it announced details of the competition last month.

And they have urged any more dynamic, innovative young business people from Kilkenny to put their names forward ahead of the March 15 deadline.

Hosted by the Local Enterprise Offices around the country, the competition is staged in conjunction with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and every local authority across the country.

Now in its fifth year, the nationwide competition is inviting 18-35 year olds who have a business idea, a start-up or an already established business to enter.

Shortlisted applicants take part in Business Bootcamps and compete in the County Final. Here in Kilkenny, the Local Enterprise Office has an investment fund of €50,000 to share between the winners of the Best Business Idea, Best Start-Up and Best Established Business categories.

From there, County Winners go on to compete at Regional Finals and, if successful, all the way to the National Finals at Google HQ!

Applying is quick and simple – and it’s free. It takes around 15 minutes and is done on www.IBYE.ie. Applicants are then invited to participate in an Enterprise Day hosted by the Local Enterprise Office.

Further information and details are also available from the 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide through www.localenterprise.ie & www.IBYE.ie

PICTURE CAPTION:  Entrants from Kilkenny and Carlow attending the previous IBYE Bootcamp held in Butler House, Kilkenny