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 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland nominee, Anne Bedos, who founded Rothar – a bike shop with a social focus – has won the 2011 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Award. Rothar is a not-for-profit organisation that recycles discarded bikes and provides training and job opportunities to people from disadvantaged communities. Operating from Phibsboro, Dublin, this community-based bike shop sells refurbished bicycles, accessories and second hand parts and offers classes on bicycle repairs.
Ms. Bedos wins €10,000 in cash and over €100,000 worth of mentoring and consultancy services from a variety of blue chip companies. She is the eighth winner of the David Manley Awards and the first ever female winner.
The 2011 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards were presented at a ceremony on Thursday 20th January in Mason Hayes+Curran, Barrow Street, Dublin by Dr. Chris Horn and Ms. Damini Kumar, European Ambassador for Creativity & Innovation. Businessman, Alfie Kane chaired the panel of judges for the Awards.
Originally from France, Anne Bedos moved to Ireland in 2004. She founded Rothar in 2008 after working in the charity and community development sector for more than 10 years. To date, Rothar has salvaged over 250 bikes, diverting 4 tonnes of waste from landfill. It works closely with youth groups to train at-risk youth in bicycle mechanics as well as building skills in basic business concepts. With a steady revenue stream from the sale of refurbished bicycles, Rothar is financially self-sustainable. A political scientist specialising in social inclusion and gender equality, Anne is also an enthusiastic cyclist - and Rothar combines all these passions!
The aim of the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards is to nurture and recognise the enterprising spirit in Business, the Arts and in Social/community. It has become the premier award in Ireland for emerging enterprises. The two runners-up this year were Angel Luis Gonzalez, PhotoIreland Festival (winner of the Emerging Arts Entrepreneur category) and Dr.Emmeline Hill, Equinome (winner of the Emerging Business Entrepreneur category.) They each receive €1,000 in cash and mentoring.
Damini Kumar says, “These awards are extremely important in recognising and rewarding innovative entrepreneurs who have taken the risk and started a new venture especially in this current Irish economic climate. The prize of mentoring will be invaluable to help these new ventures flourish and I would like to congratulate all the finalists. I’m delighted to be celebrating these great entrepreneurs in Ireland who have shown passion, determination and innovation.”
Alfie Kane comments, “The judges were looking for entrepreneurs who impressed and excited us - with a passionate, can-do attitude and full of potential. Someone with the same qualities that made David Manley such an iconic person. We found that person in Anne Bedos. All three finalists were special but Anne just had that little extra something.”
Rowena Neville, chair, David Manley Awards committee, comments, “Our congratulations to everyone at Rothar, as well as to our other finalists Equinome and PhotoIreland Festival. Working together, the David Manley Awards Sponsors and Committee commit to making a measurable difference to the business of the winner, using our skills and expertise to help bring them to the next level of success. We’re really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
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