The National Enterprise Awards are held each year to celebrate the best of small businesses in Ireland, with 31 businesses from across the country shortlisted for the awards.
The awards ceremony will be held in the Mansion House, Dublin on June 1st, and will see businesses awarded across the categories of Best Start-Up, Best Export Business, an Innovation Award, a One-to-Watch Award and a Sustainability Award and for the overall National Enterprise of the Year. Here are 15 of the finalists.
Dublin City – Lovin’ from the Oven
With a love for the craft of baking, Lovin’ from the Oven is an award-winning artisan bakery that supplies cakes and bakery products including vegan and gluten free, to wholesale, corporate clients and events. The business is expanding with the recent launch of a new range of frozen goods. camerino.ie
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Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown - Imvizar
Imvizar is leading the way in immersive, walkable storytelling experiences. Using augmented reality technology, they create experiences for tourist attractions, universities and entertainers in US, Ireland, UK, Portugal and Australia. They have created a platform which hosts experiences across the world with the vision to become the ‘Netflix for AR’. imvizar.com
Fingal – Cream of the Crop
Cream of the Crop is a Fingal-based zero-waste pioneer business focused on turning ‘wonky’ surplus produce into delicious treats so you can fight food waste with every bite. It persistently works on developing unique and exciting flavours, from sweet bananas to crunchy peanuts to delight your taste buds. creamofthecropfood.com
South Dublin - High Resolution Lighting
High Res are a highly experienced full service creative production company, specialising in virtual production for the TV and film industry. The broad industry definition of virtual production is a collaborative and interactive digital filmmaking process that facilitates the creation of virtual environments, and enables them to be physically shot in camera, rather than added in post-production. highres.one/virtual-production
Clare - Wild Irish Seaweeds
Wild Irish Seaweeds manufacture and export products for the health food industry using raw materials sourced from the Atlantic Ocean. They are a global leader in the supply and manufacture of seaweed products for retail, food ingredient and nutraceutical industries in over 60 countries globally. They take pride in their roots in the heart of West Clare. wildirishseaweeds.com
Kerry - Lorge Chocolatier
Lorge Chocolatier supply a wide range of chocolates and confectionery to gourmet shops, including handmade truffles, bars, nougat, marshmallows and hot chocolate powder. Lorge Choclagtier has two retail stores, one of which incorporates the factory where the chocolates are made. It also supplies chocolates worldwide through its website. lorge.ie
Limerick – Cotter Agritech
Cotter Agritech is a start-up founded by brothers Jack and Nick Cotter. Based in Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick, they develop novel hardware to address difficulty of manually handling animals,and software to address the issue of controlling parasites in livestock, which is one of the biggest challenges facing the agricultural industry. cotteragritech.com
Tipperary – Truepos
Truepos is an international payment services company in the fintech sector providing EPOS and card payment solutions to the SME sector. Supported by its 10 employees in Clonmel, it has developed and marketed a range of financial payment platforms for export to the UK and Europe. truepos.ie
Kildare – ProKulture Organic Kombucha
ProKulture Organic Kombucha is brewed in its own purpose designed brewing facility in Kildare. ProKulture is an award winning non-alcoholic restorative drink, packed full of antioxidants. Suppling major retailers across Ireland, the experienced team behind the ProKulture brand have bold export ambitions for 2023 and beyond. kildarebrewing.ie / prokulture.com
Laois – Ballykilcavan Brewing Company
Ballykilcavan Brewery is based on a 13th generation family farm near Stradbally, and all their beers are made with water and barley from the farm. The brewery employs four people and is a leader in sustainable brewing. Ballykilcavan beers are sold locally and in France, Italy and the Czech Republic. ballykilcavan.com
Offaly - Glass Innovations
Glass Innovations is an engineering company that specialises in printing and painting on glassware for clients in the drinks, beauty, and retail industries. Its unique approach transforms standard glassware into a distinctive product that enhances clients’ brand image and maximises their shelf presence. glassinnovations.ie
Westmeath - Watt Footprint
Watt Footprint is an innovative tech-enabled energy management service company delivering significant energy savings for businesses. Watt Footprint offers an end-to-end fully managed solutions package to cut energy costs and usage for businesses. The business is underpinned by Watt Footprints’ suite of proprietary software and technology providing a turnkey cost-cutting service for clients. wattfootprint.com
Cork City – Stolen Stitches
Stolen Stitches is the one-stop-shop for adventurous knitters. Its vibrant global knitting community can choose from immersive clubs and knit-alongs, explore luxury yarns, patterns, and video workshops, all with full support through its dedicated online educational hub and community forum. Stolen Stitches is based in Cork City with staff located across Ireland. stolenstitches.com
Cork North and West – BaseWorx Technologies
BaseWorx is a flex space management software that provides solutions for flexible and hybrid workspaces. Its tools allow businesses and coworking spaces the ability to streamline scheduling, reservations, and billing processes for shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and event spaces. baseworx.ie
South Cork - Hyde Irish Whiskey
Hyde Irish Whiskey is a premium range of multi award winning Irish whiskey matured and finished to perfection in the idyllic landscape and temperate climate of Co Cork, Ireland. Currently exporting to over 65 markets worldwide, it also supplies all major multiples, airports, ferries, and off licences across Ireland. hydewhiskey.ie