2026 National Final Winners

JUNIOR CATEGORY

 

Overall Winner:

I CAN

St. Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise

Laois

 

2^nd Place:

West Cork Skies – Moments In Time

Mount St. Michael Secondary School

Roscarberry

West Cork

 

3^rd Place:

Recharg’ed

Colaiste Abhainn Ri

Kilkenny

 

Innovation Award

Pet Sipper

Desmond College

Newscastlewest

Limerick

 

Sales & Marketing Award:

Purely Crafted

Presentation College, Athenry

Galway

 

Best Display Stand:

Sweetners

Mercy Secondary School

Waterford

 

 

INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY

 

Overall Winner:

Smart Shovel

St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan

Meath

 

2^nd Place:

Danny Nugent Hurley & Repairs

Comeragh College

Tipperary

 

3^rd Place:

Fern & Foam

Moyne Community School

Longford

 

Innovation Award

Golf Allign

Gaelcholaiste Ui Chonba

Limerick

 

Sales & Marketing Award:

DW Sports

Patrician Academy, Mallow

North Cork

 

Best Display Stand:

Clew Bay Crafts

Sancta Maria College

Louisburgh

Mayo

 

 

SENIOR CATEGORY

 

Overall Winner:

GLO Hurling

Mungret Community College

Limerick

 

2^nd Place:

Crius AI

Patrician Academy, Mallow

North Cork

 

3^rd Place:

GradeMate

St. Muredach’s College

Mayo

 

Innovation Award

ECHO IQ

Rockwell College

Tipperary

 

Sales & Marketing Award:

JSU Marketing

St. Flannan’s College

Clare

 

Best Display Stand:

SMD Detailing

St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar

Donegal

 

 

Intellectual Property:

(sponsored by the IPOI)

Junior Category:  I CAN, St Mary’s CBS Portlaoise, Laois

Intermediate Category:  Crochet Comforts, Moate Community School, Westmeath

Senior Category:  Green Yard, Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone, Westmeath

 

 

Sustainability Awards:

(sponsored by the EPA)

Junior Category:  Boot Buddy, Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard, Longford

Intermediate Category:  Tiny Terrariums, Loreto College, Balbriggan, Fingal

Senior Category:  Bin Better, Woodbrook College, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

 

 

Start-Up Stories:

(sponsored by Folens)

 

Junior Category

Gearoid Grace

Coláiste Abhainn Ri

Kilkenny

 

Intermediate

Lucy O’Brien

Killorglin Community College

 

 

Special Achievement Award:

 

Beo Go Deo

Roscommon Community College

 

 

Alumni Achievement Award

 

Jordan Casey

MindPath

IRELAND’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS REVEALED AHEAD OF NATIONAL FINAL

The national finalists for Ireland’s largest student enterprise programme have been announced ahead of next month’s finals. From an initial 30,000 participants, over 200 students representing 88 student-run businesses have made it through to the final stage of the Student Enterprise Programme. A group of these finalists gathered in Dublin today for the announcement. 

 

The finalists span a diverse range of sectors, showcasing the creativity and commercial awareness of Ireland’s young entrepreneurs. This year’s line-up includes innovations such as Fleet Monitor, a ship tracking app; Tiny Terrariums, a miniature plant world; WireLessCam, a waterproof wireless camera solution; and JCS Plates, a business specialising in custom-designed licence plates. 

 

The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices has seen over 500,000 secondary school students take part since it began in 2003.  The 88 shortlisted businesses will exhibit at the National Finals on the 7th May in Mullingar where winners will be announced across the three categories of senior, intermediate and junior and one business will be named Student Enterprise of the Year for 2026.    

 

Gareth Evans, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices’ Enterprise Education Committee, said; “Every year, the Student Enterprise Programme uncovers incredible ideas from classrooms across the country, and this year is no different. These finalists have shown real initiative, creativity and determination to get to this stage, and they represent the very best of youth entrepreneurship in Ireland today. From problem-solving apps to eco-conscious innovations, their businesses reflect not only commercial potential but also a strong sense of purpose. We’re proud to support these students as they take their first steps into the world of enterprise.”  

 

The Student Enterprise Programme is open to students of all ages at second level, with three separate categories – Junior (1st year), Intermediate (2nd and 3rd year) and Senior (4th, 5th and 6th year, LVA, LCA and Youth Outreach). There are also prizes awarded for excellence in sustainability and intellectual property.  

 

The Student Enterprise of the Year for 2025 was ‘Cannon PC’ from Clonkeen College, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. The idea, created by Jack Cannon focused on sustainability, refurbishing and upcycling discarded office computers into high-performance, affordable gaming PCs.  

 

The Student Enterprise Programme is funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country.  Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 500,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business.   

 

The Student Enterprise Programme is one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. 

  

ACCESSIBILITY PLATFORM CREATORS CROWNED INAUGURAL STUDENT ENTERPRISE INNOVATORS OF THE YEAR 2026

NEW AWARD SUPPORTED BY MICROSOFT RECOGNISES STUDENT INNOVATORS

Katie Lonergan and Saoirse Shanahan Roche from Scoil Mhuire Greenhill in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary have been announced as the inaugural Student Enterprise Innovators of the Year 2026 at a live final held in Microsoft Dream Space, Dublin as part of Local Enterprise Week.

The friends had run into several issues accessing different public spaces, restaurants and amenities that were not access friendly for those who required mobility assistance. Katie is a wheelchair user and along with her friend Saoirse decided to create a solution to the issue.

They created Access4All, an application designed to help people easily find out whether a shop, café, venue, or public space is accessible before they visit. The app provides clear, honest, and reliable information about accessibility features, including accessible parking, step‑free or ramped entrances, accessible toilets (including hoists and adult changing beds) and also includes user‑added suggestions and reviews.

Access4All is not yet launched but following the award win the girls plan to bring it to market as soon as possible with a version that will include a revenue generating model and also actively engaging with businesses marked as inaccessible to inform them of suitable grants and assistance to upgrade their premises.

This new award, launched by the Local Enterprise Offices in collaboration with Microsoft, recognises the innovative and creative business ideas that emerge from Ireland’s Student Enterprise Programme — a nationwide initiative engaging almost 30,000 secondary school students annually in hands-on entrepreneurship.

Five student enterprises from across the country were shortlisted for the final, each selected for their originality, problem-solving approach and future potential. The finalists spent the day in Microsoft’s Dream Space engaging in mentor-led workshops on AI in business, intellectual property and live pitching, before presenting their ideas to a panel of expert judges.

The overall winners received a specially commissioned trophy and a €500 investment voucher to help build out their business idea. Each finalist was also awarded a certificate of participation.

The Finalists were selected from this year’s Student Enterprise Programme, the largest student start-up programme in the country which is now in its 24th year. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices has seen over 500,000 students take part since it began.

The event took place during Local Enterprise Week, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices running from the 2nd – 6th March with 300 events around the country to support aspiring and established entrepreneurs

Gareth Evans, Head of Student Enterprise, Local Enterprise Offices, said; “The Student Enterprise Innovator of the Year Award is about recognising ambition at its earliest stages when a great idea is just starting to form. We want young people to know that creativity, curiosity and entrepreneurial thinking matter, and that there are supports to help bring those ideas to life.

“This is a fantastic addition to the Student Enterprise Programme and being able to collaborate with Microsoft adding their skills and expertise to the programme will ensure that our student entrepreneurs have access to leading online tools to develop their ideas and businesses.”

Joanne Morrissey, Senior HR Director, from Microsoft Ireland, said; “At Microsoft Ireland, our commitment to Skill Up Ireland is about helping people build confidence and develop the skills they’ll need for the future, including the ability to understand and work with AI, and we believe that journey starts early. Ireland’s long term success depends on encouraging curiosity and creativity from a young age, and giving people the confidence to try things out, learn by doing, and explore new ideas.

“That’s exactly what we’ve seen through the Student Enterprise Innovator of the Year Award – young people with great ideas, real curiosity, and the confidence to experiment. By bringing the Student Enterprise Programme and Microsoft Dream Space together, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, we’re helping students turn ideas into action and begin an innovation journey that could stay with them for life.”

The Student Enterprise Programme, which is funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 30,000 students from almost 500 secondary schools across the country take part in 2024/2025.

Participating students will compete across three categories, Junior (1st year), Intermediate (2nd and 3rd year) and Senior (4th, 5th and 6th year, LVA, LCA and Youth Outreach). Each student enterprise is challenged with creating, setting up and running their own business, which must show viable sales of their service or product.

The best student start-ups from each school will then progress to county and regional finals. Students will then be chosen to be selected for the National Finals on the 7th May where the Student Enterprise of the Year for 2026 will be named along with winners across the other categories.

The Local Enterprise Offices are located in the Local Authorities and are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland. They support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have supported entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing a range of services including funding, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.

They also run key initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country including Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the Student Enterprise Programme and the National Enterprise Awards. The Local Enterprise Offices are also running a campaign encouraging small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business. www.AllInADaysWork.ie For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie

Details for all the events taking place across the country during Local Enterprise Week, from March 2nd to 6th, are available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Week

 

National Sustainability Awards 2026

With thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we will be recognising three student enterprises again this year for excellence in sustainability.

One award will be given in each of the junior, intermediate and senior categories for students who show their commitment to sustainability through their mini company.

Whether it’s the product or service itself or how you and your team mates have run your mini company day to day over the year … we will be recognising you for EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY.

Find out more

Just under 4 weeks to get your Start-Up Stories in!!!

 

Be in with a chance to win one of three 3D Printers for your school & a €500 Me2You voucher

We are delighted to be collaborating with Folens this year on our Start-Up Stories competition.

Open to all Junior Cycle students – this is a quick, fun and easy enterprise activity to help students learn all about what life as an entrepreneur is really like. A project that can be used as a CBA and/or a great introduction to entrepreneurship.

-Students get to imagine their life as an entrepreneur at a future stage of their life – it can be in 5 years, 10 years or 40 years’ time!

-In 500 words or less they should tell us the story of their fictitious entrepreneurial journey –  highlighting what they learned about being an entrepreneur on the way.

-The enterprise the students imagine themselves setting up does not have to be based on an entirely new idea. It can be a shop, charity, restaurant, online business etc… anything they wish.

-The idea behind this competition is to get your students to explore the life of an entrepreneur in a creative and imaginative way.

By creating their own story they will learn about what it takes to set up and run a business and explore the concept of entrepreneurship.

Find out more

County Finals 2026

LEO Region	Date	Venue
Carlow	11th March	Woodford Dolmen Hotel
Cavan	10th March	Slieve Russell Hotel
Clare	11th March	West County Hotel, Clare
Cork City	10th March	Aras na Mac Leinn, University College Cork
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown	13th March	Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire
Donegal	Friday 13th March	Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny
Dublin City	23rd March	Mansion House
Fingal	19th March	Crown Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown
Galway	12th March	Clayton Hotel
Kerry	13th March	MTU North Campus, Tralee
Kildare	27th February	Killashee Hotel
Kilkenny	4th March	Lyrath Hotel
Laois	10th March	Midlands Park Hotel
Leitrim	3rd March	Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon
Limerick	18th March	Castletroy Park Hotel
Longford	11th March	Longford Arms Hotel
Louth	12th March	The Fairways Hotel
Mayo	5th March	Great National, Ballina
Meath	3rd March	Knightsbrook Hotel
Monaghan	26th February	The Hill Grove Hotel
North Cork	24th February	Springfort Hall Hotel, Doneraile
Offaly	3rd March	Tullamore Court Hotel
Roscommon	19th March	Abbey Hotel
Sligo	March 12th	Sligo Park Hotel
South Cork	26th March	Munster Technological University (MTU)
South Dublin	6th March	Maldron Hotel, Tallaght
Tipperary	6th March	TUS Thurles
Waterford	11th March	SETU Arena
West Cork	25th February	Celtic Ross Hotel, Roscarberry
Westmeath	3rd March	TUS, Athlone
Wexford	March 5th	Wexford County Hall
Wicklow	26th February	Arklow Bay Hotel