Carlow County Council – Local Enterprise Office is now accepting entries for the County Final of the National Enterprise Awards 2024 which take place on Wednesday 6th March 2024. The awards celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of local businesses across the county. Business owners are invited to submit their applications before the deadline of 5th February 2024.
To mark its 10th year , as part of Local Enterprise Week , the awards this year will recognize clients who participated in a variety of projects and programmes.
Eligibility for participation in the awards requires that businesses have fewer than 50 employees and have received direct support from Local Enterprise Office Carlow. The 2024 categories are County Carlow - Green for Business Award , County Carlow E-Commerce Award , County Carlow – Best Startup/Newcomer, County Carlow - Lean for Business Award , Business & Economic Growth Through European Funding Opportunities , County Carlow – Digital Award , Category: Festival Award and finally the National Enterprise Awards – Carlow Enterprise of the Year.
The awards will be presented on 6th March 2024 at lunch function from 12noon-2pm in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel.
Category: County Carlow – Green for Business Award
Description: The Green for Business Award recognises the business which has integrated sustainability into their core business strategies, prioritizing environmental stewardship as a driving force for their success. Four companies will be shortlisted and each receipt a certificate and the winner will be in receipt of a specially designed trophy.
Eligibility: Micro Businesses with less than 50 staff located in County Carlow who have completed a Green for Micro /Green for Business programme.
Judging: Green for Business Report
Category: County Carlow – E-Commerce Award
Description: The E-Commerce Award celebrates the business who has invested in developing their eCommerce capability, it acknowledges an exceptional award-winning website which not only sets itself apart from its competitors but also adds value to the end user and the company’s strategy to reach their target audience. Four companies will be shortlisted and each will receipt a certificate and the winner will be in receipt of a specially designed trophy.
Eligibility: The Awards are open to recipients who have received a LEO Carlow Trading Online Voucher.
Judging: Public Vote based on shortlist.
Category: County Carlow – Best Startup/Newcomer
Description: The "Best Newcomer/Startup" award recognises a promising and innovative business that has made a significant impact in a relatively short period who have completed a Start Your Business Programme. This category is designed to celebrate businesses that have demonstrated exceptional growth, creativity, and potential within their respective industries. Four companies will be shortlisted and each will receipt a certificate and the winner will be in receipt of a specially designed trophy.
Eligibility: Businesses located in County Carlow within the first 2 years of business.
Judging:
- Application Statement
- Business achievements
- Personal Achievements
- growth in business revenue
County Carlow - Lean for Business Award
Description: Recognising the business who has transformed their operations for enhanced efficiency, productivity, and overall business value through the successful implementation of Lean principles and practices. Four companies will be shortlisted and each will receipt a certificate and the winner will be in receipt of a specially designed trophy.
Eligibility: Business located in County Carlow who have completed a Lean for Micro programme.
Category: County Carlow – Digital Award
Description: Honoring the business which has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in embracing digital technologies to transform their business operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth. Four companies will be shortlisted and each will receipt a certificate and the winner will be in receipt of a specially designed trophy.
Eligibility: Business located in County Carlow who have completed a Digital Start programme
.
Category: Business & Economic Growth Through European Funding Opportunities
Description: Recognise the company's ability to identify and access diverse funding sources, demonstrating a forward-thinking and innovative approach to securing financial support then using that funding as a catalyst for sustainable growth and positive change. Also recognising their broader contributions to sustainability, positive societal impact, and exemplary corporate citizenship within realm of the European Union's values & objectives . Showcasing how their success in navigating European funding schemes has set a benchmark for others to follow.
Eligibility: Micro, small or medium business located in County Carlow who have availed of EU funding programmes or financial instruments (examples include MFI & LEADER funding). Four companies will be shortlisted and each will receipt a certificate and the winner will be in receipt of a specially designed trophy.
Category: Festival Award
Description: Open to any festival or event staged in Carlow County during 2020-2023. The best festival award recognizes the huge effort made by organizers to make an event happen. The winning festival/event will also have boosted tourism and attracted businesses to Carlow. This category will be decided by public vote. Four festivals will be shortlisted and each will receipt a certificate and the winner will be in receipt of a specially designed trophy.
Eligibility: Open to all Festival and Events that took place in County Carlow in 2020-2023.
National Enterprise Awards – Carlow Enterprise of the Year
Description: Recognizing the business who has achieved growth through engagement with state supports, setting new standards for innovation and growth in Carlow and who shows the most ambitious plans for future development.
Eligibility: Business located in County Carlow who are current clients of the Local Enterprise Office, have no more than 10 FTE employees on 31.12.2023, are manufacturing or offer an internationally traded service and have availed of a Measure 1 financial support from the Local Enterprise Office
Winners Prize: €2,000 prize and represent Carlow in the National Enterprise Awards 2024
Scoring: Applicants will be scored based on the criteria published for the National Enterprise Awards which will be made available to all shortlisted entrants before completing their application. Four shortlisted entrants will be provided with mentoring support to assist their application.