The 43rd annual Student Entrepreneur Awards competition is now open for entries from young people with promising ideas.
Third-level students nationwide who have innovative business ideas are invited to apply for Enterprise Ireland’s Student Entrepreneur Awards competition 2024.
The awards aim to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs from all academic disciplines to explore starting their own businesses.
Richard Murphy of Enterprise Ireland said, “Each year, the Student Entrepreneur Awards attract high-quality entries which reflect the calibre of our third-level institutions, our entrepreneurial students, and their academic leaders.”
“As the competition enters its 43rd year, we continue to see incredible innovations from a variety of sectors including sustainability, healthcare and consumer goods and many previous participants have developed successful businesses both in Ireland and internationally.”
Ten finalists will be selected from among 50 shortlisted entries to present their ideas to a panel of judges.
They will be going head-to-head for the overall prize, as well as three High Achieving Merit awards for each of the sponsors Cruickshank, Grant Thornton and the Local Enterprise Offices.
The overall winner of the competition will take home a prize of €10,000 and mentoring from Enterprise Ireland to support the development of their products and explore new market opportunities.
The other award winners will also receive €5,000 and expert advice and mentoring support from Enterprise Ireland.
On top of this, six runner-up awards of €1,500 each will also be handed out, along with an academic award worth €1,000.
“The Student Entrepreneur Awards provide the ideal opportunity for students to explore the viability of their business concepts and get support from experienced mentors to make their business ideas a reality,” Richard Murphy said.
“The competition provides a first step for business success, and I would encourage any third-level student with an innovative idea to enter now to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey.”
University College Cork student Emma Coffey, founder of FinalBend won Enterprise Ireland’s 2023 Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Inspired by Emma’s love of athletics, the Cork-based company provides affordable, sustainable, athletic clothing.
The closing date for Student Entrepreneur Award entries is March 15, 2024. The award winners will be announced at a ceremony on Friday, June 7.
Entries to the Student Entrepreneur Awards 2024 can be made via www.studententrepreneurawards.com
