Businesses from Donegal, Kerry and Dublin took the honours in the inaugural ILDN Enterprise Awards, which were announced this week in Dublin.
The Irish Local Development Network competition aims to showcase the achievements of persons who have successfully set up their own business under the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance and Short Term Enterprise Allowance schemes.
Simply Natural Health, a wheatgrass production company, K&T Bakery & Cafés and tech company Hub Controls received awards for their outstanding business achievements in establishing successful companies that have created jobs for themselves and others.
Diagnosed with a rare eye condition, Derek Walker (pictured) lost a significant portion of his sight and was registered blind. Unable to find employment as a result, Walker set up his own wheatgrass production company in Donegal called Simply Natural Health in late 2014.
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The business that has since expanded from his bedroom to a 10,000 square foot premises in Carrygally Business Park to serve supermarkets, including Tesco. Walker took home first prize at the first ILDN Awards.
In second place was Cahersiveen-based K&T Bakery. Polish couple Katarzyna and Tomasz Gwis, who come from a long tradition of bread making, established the K&T Bakery in 2014 in Cahersiveen and recently opened a restaurant and café in the town also. They employ 15 staff in total and have plans for further expansion.
In third place was Hub Controls, a household utility bill controller developed by Oliver Hynes in Dublin. Oliver worked in the heating industry for 16 years but became unemployed during the recession.
In 2014, he developed the household utility bill controller and his firm now employs seven people. The company developed a smart thermostat that allows real-time remote control of spending on heating.
Speaking after the competition conclusion, Marie Price Bolger, chairperson of the Irish Local Development Network, said: “With great determination, market and product knowledge, business skills and support from mentors and training, these companies have successfully transitioned from startups to successful businesses and these awards are an acknowledgement of their hard work.”
Three businesses from each of the six ILDN regions was represented in the national final, following successful regional finals held throughout May and June 2016. A panel of judges, made up of representatives from government departments, the ILDN and Microfinance Ireland made the final decision.
