Meath’s IBYE winners were announced by Joe English Head of Enterprise at Meath LEO during the Boyne Valley Food Innovation Conference in Pillo Hotel Ashbourne on 7^th October 2015.

Each of the winners received a handcrafted granite trophy which was very carefully crafted by Eric Byrne of Hennessy & Byrne in County Meath along with an investment in their business. These were presented on the day by Jackie Maguire CEO Meath County Council and Councillor Brian Fitzgerald Cathaoirleach Meath County Council.

Out of a total of 55 competition applicants in Meath, 15 of those were shortlisted to go on to the IBYE Boot Camp and receive intensive mentoring to perfect their business plan and their business pitch presenting to a panel of judges at the County Final held in the Newgrange Hotel on the 29^th September.

Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur is a National Competition in its 2^nd year.

The competition is open to people aged between 18 – 30 years across three categories:

Best Idea (not yet trading)

Best Start Up (trading for 24 months or less)

Best Established Business (Trading for more than 24 months)

The total investment fund being offered by the Meath Local Enterprise Office to the three category winners is €50,000. This will be awarded as follows;

Best New Idea – €10,000

Best Start Up – €20,000

Best Established Business – €20,000

An overall winner was also selected from the three categories and was crowned as Meath’s Best Young Entrepreneur.

Meath IBYE Winners 2015!

– Best Idea category went to Laura Browne of Waterscout

– Start Up category went to Rachel Darby of The Bubblins

– Established Business category went to Diarmuid Gryson of Phield Tek

And the winner of Meath’s Best Young Entrepreneur went to Laura Browne of Waterscout