The Enterprise Board in County Carlow has begun its annual search for “small business heroes” from it’s client base, in the lead-up to the National Enterprise Awards 2010.

The award scheme for micro-enterprises, which culminates with an awards ceremony in November, is organised by the 35 County and City Enterprise Boards to recognise the outstanding achievements and enterprise heroics of small businesses in Ireland.

A shortlist of eight finalists will be officially unveiled in October. Last year, Tony Broderick from Danelle Recycling in Carlow, represented the County in the competition, reaching the final eight in the National competition held at Dublin Castle in November.

The Enterprise Boards, funded by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Innovation are a nationwide business support network for the small and micro business sector.  The Boards are predicting that over 11,000 new jobs could be created in small businesses over the next three years, if funding can be maintained.
Speaking at the local launch of the National Enterprise Awards, Michael Kelly CEO, Carlow County Enterprise Board said: “Over 90% of all businesses in the Country are micro-enterprises with many ‘small business heroes’ setting up new businesses or navigating existing businesses through the economic storm. The National Enterprise Awards are designed to highlight the achievements of small businesses, such as innovation success, job creation, new export markets and local economic development, by putting them in the national spotlight.”

Eligibility: The applicants must be current clients of the CEBs and not have been grant aided by other agencies.  All businesses must have been in receipt of Measure 1 support.  (Capital, Employment, Equity or Preference Shares).  Companies that have received support by way of feasibility studies or R&D assistance from other agencies are not excluded.

Please note that businesses employing ten (10) or less employees only are eligible to apply.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 27th August and forms are available from Mary O Higgins (059 9130880).