business-startup.ie

Secondary school entrepreneurs from Dublin, Carlow, Cavan and Clare gathered at Croke Park this weekend, to announce details for the Student Enterprise Awards National Final next Thursday. Next Thursday (April 14th), teenagers from every county, aged from thirteen to eighteen, will be competing at the biggest student enterprise competition of its kind in the country, which is run by the County and City Enterprise Boards.

Since last September, around 15,000 secondary school students from every corner of Ireland have researched, set-up and managed their own real-life student enterprises. Through the Student Enterprise programme, students learn how to brain-storm business ideas, identifying solutions for everyday problems. With support from the local school and Enterprise Board, they are encouraged to use their own talents in their entrepreneurial roles.

Over 240 students from seventy-six student enterprises across the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Categories have now qualified for the National Final, having progressed through the county level judging process.

The up-and-coming entrepreneurs will be showcasing their products and services for the judging panel, such as educational CD ROMs for the Irish language, gardening tools that reduce repetitive strain, adjustable horse jump-sets, hurling training aids and smartphone apps for revision.

Speaking about the aims of the programme, Dave Cody, Chair of the Enterprise Education Committee with the County and City Enterprise Boards said: "The Student Enterprise Programme has long-term goals, to foster entrepreneurship in Irish schools. Through encouraging, supporting and stimulating the next generation of business owners and leaders, Ireland will see the longer-term positive impact of this programme in the years ahead."

On the morning of the National Final in Croke Park, students have to set-up an enterprise exhibition display stand before their multiple interviews with the judges and each student entrepreneur also had to submit a business plan in advance. Students will be judged on criteria such as innovation, market research, production, personal development, finances, business planning, interview techniques and risk management.

The winners will share the €10,000 prize fund and the Senior Category winners will also get the opportunity to visit Paris in September, as part of an educational study visit. The Minister for Small Business, John Perry T.D, is a guest of honour at the event and Michael Dawson, founder of One4All Gift Vouchers, is also a keynote speaker. The results will be available at www.studententerprise.ie.

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