The finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2018 have been officially announced by Sue O’Neill, SFA Chair and Chair of the SFA Awards Judging Panel. The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland, and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry.
“The response to the awards programme serves as a reminder that Irish small companies are resilient, putting their best foot forward and seeking recognition for their efforts” commented O’Neill. “As well as our seven award categories we also feature five of the best Emerging New Businesses (less than two years established) and I must say that given the quality of the businesses represented this year, entrepreneurship is alive and well in Ireland.”
39 companies have been selected as finalists, from 13 different counties, across 8 categories:
MANUFACTURING CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees), sponsored by Energia:
Aldar Tissues – Dublin
Briody Bedding – Meath
CUBE – Limerick
Future Grass Technology – Carlow
Kelly’s of Newport Artisan Butchers – Mayo
Leinster Environmentals – Louth
FOOD & DRINK CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees), sponsored by Bord Bia:
Good4U – Sligo
Kelly’s of Newport Artisan Butchers – Mayo
Oishii Foods – Dublin
Pip and Pear Chilled Baby Food – Waterford
Revive Active – Galway
The Tipperary Cheese Company – Tipperary
SERVICES CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees), sponsored by Three:
Adams & Butler – Dublin
Home Instead Senior Care – Dublin
Homesecure.ie – Dublin
Irish Tax Rebates – Kildare
Kerona Scientific – Dublin
Revolve Marketing and PR – Dublin
OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS FINALISTS (up to five employees), sponsored by AIB:
Coyle Group – Dublin
Earth’s Edge – Dublin
Loughran Family Malt – Louth
Mezzo Music Academy – Dublin
Modus Energy – Kilkenny
TheTaste.ie – Dublin
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS (up to 50 employees), sponsored by Enterprise Ireland:
Aalto Bio Reagents – Dublin
APTVISION – Dublin
CLIRINX – Dublin
Easydry – Louth
Future Grass Technology – Carlow
Sonitus Systems – Dublin
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees), sponsored by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland:
Aldar Tissues – Dublin
Courtown Adventure & Leisure Centre – Wexford
Kelly’s of Newport Artisan Butchers – Mayo
Starting Small Standing Tall – Limerick
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS (up to 50 employees), sponsored by DHL Express:
Adams & Butler – Dublin
Easydry – Louth
Good4U – Sligo
Kerona Scientific – Dublin
Kora Healthcare – Dublin
PolyPico Technologies – Galway
Prodigy Learning – Dublin
EMERGING NEW BUSINESSES (up to 50 employees and under 2 years in business), sponsored by IE Domain Registry:
Dundalk Civil and Structural Engineering – Louth
Happy Scribe – Dublin
Heatese – Meath
Medlaw Reporting – Dublin
Zoan BioMed – Galway
The Awards prize package for all finalists includes participation in the SFA Business Connect event in February, a strategic management masterclass weekend, as well as broad-ranging national and local media coverage, all valued at €50,000. Finalists also receive five complementary tickets to the gala prize giving ceremony which will take place in the RDS in February 2018 when the category winners and overall winner will be announced.
The category winners will be presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association. The overall winner will also receive a bursary of €5,000 to present to a charity of their choice (funded by the 2013 Overall Winner, Megazyme International Ireland) and a responsible business practices check-up and action plan from Business in the Community Ireland.
