Fingal businesses vie for top award in enterprise competition

TEN local small businesses have made it through to compete in the Fingal Enterprise Awards competition 2020 and a share of the €15,000 prize fund 

The awards ceremony, titled ‘Making it Happen’, will take place on Thursday, March 5 in County Hall, Swords.

Each of these finalists will be awarded a €1,000 prize for their business, with the overall winner securing the top prize of €5,000 to be invested in their business.

The overall winner will represent Fingal at the National Enterprise Awards in May. 

The ten finalists, shortlisted by the Local Enterprise Office Fingal (LEO), will each face a grilling from the independent panel of judges. 

Following their visit to the Fingal Dragons’ Den, the 10 applicants will be introduced at the final event during Local Enterprise Week, where presenter Conall O Móráin will interview them on stage.

The competition is organised annually by LEO Fingal to acknowledge and highlight the achievements of small businesses. 

This is part of a national competition in which 31 local winners will compete at the National Enterprise Awards. The competition is open only to businesses that have received financial support or investment from LEO Fingal.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien said it is fantastic to see the quality and diversity that has again emerged in the competition. 

“Fingal County Council has a proud tradition of being supportive to our local enterprises and cultivating an environment in which small businesses and start-ups can flourish,” he said. 

Fingal County Council chief executive AnnMarie Farrelly congratulated the 10 finalists.  

“Our Local Enterprise Office in Fingal plays an essential role in providing businesses with the kind of supports and services that they need to grow,” said Ms Farrelly.

“I would like to congratulate each of this year’s finalists in recognition of their positive impact in Fingal. I wish each of them the best of luck in the competition.”

Chair of the LEO Network and Head of Enterprise in Fingal Oisin Geoghegan said the competition recognises the accomplishments and contribution of small business to our economy. 

“Fingal Local Enterprise Office is proud to have supported these finalists along their journey so far and we look forward to continuing to play a role in their ongoing successes,” said Mr Geoghegan.

The 10 finalists are:

•65 Hurls – a producer of custom-made ash hurls based in Ballycoolin

•Alectra Partitions by Interior Building Products – a producer of glass partition for office spaces based in Blanchardstown

•Azure Communications – a provider of printing, mailing, and communications solutions based in Damastown

•Corr Optical – a glazing laboratory of frames and prescription lenses based in Baldoyle

•Dimension88 – a provider ‘mixed reality’ real estate experiences based in Swords

•Empeal by Wind Of Change – a health-risk management digital platform and productivity tool from Castleknock

•Fasten8 – a provider of automotive supply solutions based in Ballycoolin

•Kianda – a cloud-based platform for paperless operations based in Blanchardstown

•Mimic Lashes – an eyelash extension brand and training provider from Malahide

•Take The Cake – an artisanal vegan bakery based in Mulhuddart