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A CELEBRATION OF TRIUMPHANT BUSINESS START-UPS
Winners of the 2006 First Step Microfinance Business Success Awards
were rewarded for their entrepreneurial endeavors at the Four Seasons
Hotel, Dublin on 20th November.
Sponsored by FAS, First Ireland
Insurance Brokers and Enterprise
Ireland, the First Step Microfinance
Awards recognise and salute
emerging Irish businesses who in the
face of funding challenges have gone
on to make an outstanding success of their
business start up.
Entrepreneur and dynamic go-getter, Eddie
Jordan delivered a keynote address at the
luncheon where he spoke about his direct
experiences and challenges as an entrepreneur.
The event was attended by leading Irish
entrepreneurs including Jerry Kennelly, Former
CEO of Stockbyte, Eleanor McEvoy, MD and
Founder of Phonecard Warehouse, Aidan Heavey,
CEO, Tullow Oil, Colum O’Sullivan, Co-Founder of
Cully and Sully, Joanna Gardiner, MD of Ovelle
and Sarah Newman, formerly of Needahotel.com,
as well as strong representation from top Irish
companies.
Bumblebees, an indoor play centre for children
in Co. Donegal scooped the Best Newcomer
Award, while Limerick based artisan chocolate
company ‘Cocoabean’ was awarded the top prize
for the Best Established Entrepreneur. John
Cranfield CEO of First Step Microfinance said,
“this year’s finalists reflect the changing face of
entrepreneursism in Ireland and we are delighted
to recognise the thriving Lithuanian and Algerian
business communities in Ireland amongst our
finalists.”
When receiving their award, Stephen and
Bridin Bell, co-founders of Bumblebees said, “we
have many dreams for the future and in order to
progress with our business we must constantly
develop and implement new ideas.” Sisters,
Sarah Hehir and Emily Sandford co-founders of
Cocoabean were delighted to have received this
prestigious award. “Recognition for achievement
and excellence is invaluable in our industry and
this award represents an important milestone for
Cocoabean,” they said.
Each some 30,000 new businesses start up
in Ireland. Awards such as these highlights
the many up-and-coming entrepreneurs, who
with a little support and encouragement,
can successfully start and develop their own
business.
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Linda Gallagher, First Ireland Risk Management, Norma
Smurfit, Chairperson, First Step, John Roe, First Ireland Risk
Management, Sponsors
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Eddie Jordan with winners Stephen & Bridin Bell,
Bumblebees, Norma Smurfit, chairperson, First Step
Microfinance
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Joanna Gardiner, MD, Ovelle Pharmaceutical, Sarah
Newman, Prof Terri Scott, CEO, The Ryan Academy
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Colm O'Doherty, First Step, Clodagh Barnes, 3Q Catering, Norma
Smurfit,Chairperson First Microfinance
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Eddie Jordan with Norma Smurfit at First Step Microfinance
Business Success Awards
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Eleanor McEvoy, David Bradley, Director, Irish Entrepreneur,
Eddie Jordan, Norma Smurfit, Jerry Kennelly, John Cranfield
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| SHELL LIVE WIRE AWARDS |
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John Beckett, founder of ByamSys, awarded the 2006 Shell
Livewire All Ireland Young Entrepreneur of the Year award
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Pauline Doyle, Terenure Enterprise Centre recieves Services to Enterprise Award
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| BEST OF THE WEB UNVEILED AT THE 10TH ANNUAL EIRCOM GOLDEN SPIDER AWARDS |
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Cathal Magee, MD, eircom Retail presents 2006 Golden Spider Internet Hero Award to Cormac Callanan
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RTÉ win the Grand Prix, Best Sports & Leisure and Best News, Media & Entertainment website
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| NATIONAL SOFTWARE AWARDS & ISA AWARDS |
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Irish Software Association Chairman, Bernadette Cullinan, Kevin
O'Leary, Qumas, Winner of the Software Award for Company Of
The Year,John Tracey, CEO, Trinity Venture Capital
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Deirdre Kennedy, Corporate Community Relations Manager, IBM
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