business-startup.ie

The public were given a sneak preview of the ‘Irish entrepreneurs of tomorrow’ at the Country’s biggest student enterprise competition, held earlier today in Croke Park. Teenagers from every county, aged from thirteen to eighteen, competed at the Student Enterprise Awards National Final at the GAA headquarters, which was organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards. Students from Presentation College in Carlow won the Senior Category Award for ‘Rap-It’, a keyring device to keep ear-phones untangled.

Paul’s Pix from Bailieborough Community School in Cavan took the Intermediate Category Award and ‘Play it Safe’ from CBS High School in Clonmel took the Junior Category Award.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’ Keeffe T.D., together with one of Ireland’s best-known entrepreneurs, Bill Cullen, were both clearly impressed with the standard of enterprise at this year’s National Final.  Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister O’ Keeffe commented: “With nearly 15,000 students now involved in the Student Enterprise Programme nationally, it’s apparent that the spirit of enterprise has been well fostered in Irish classrooms. Thanks to the support of teachers, parents, principals and the local County and City Enterprise Boards, our student entrepreneurs here at the National Final are great ambassadors for the overall Student Enterprise Programme.”

Since last September, 14, 940 secondary school students from 400 schools have been researching, setting-up and managing their own real-life student enterprises. Through the Student Enterprise programme, students learn how to brain-storm business ideas, they also learn how to identify solutions for everyday problems and they are encouraged to use their own talents in their entrepreneurial roles.

The up-and-coming entrepreneurs at the National Final showcased their products and services for the judging panel, such as children’s music books, home-baking kits, environmental board games, household chore coupons, educational cartoons and even a turkey-rearing service.

Further information about the Student Enterprise Programme, which will be launched for 2010/2011 in September, is available at www.studententerprise.ie.

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