Press Release
First Ireland, one of the country’s leading independent insurance brokers, and Dublin Business School (DBS) have announced the five finalists of the ‘Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2011’.
Stephen Dee, from Glasnevin; Liam Shannon, from Rathfarnham; Sean Daniel Kinane, from Howth; Oliver Bausor Day, from Greystones; and John Geraghty, from Swords are the five selected finalists. This award was open to students from all disciplines within the DBS campus.
Applicants submitted a detailed business plan setting out a business idea for a product or service. A judging panel will submit the five finalists to a ‘Dragons Den’ style interview on 27th May. The successful applicant will receive €25,000 worth in business services, office space and utilities. He will also receive €1500 in cash. In addition, the successful student will receive mentoring support and business advice from a range of business consultants and professionals.
The successful student will then be able to avail of modern offices covering 100 square meters, space for up to three people, and with all modern utilities and access to web, networks, printers, fax, scanners and other material.
“Ideally the business would be scalable with potential for export to at least the UK and possibly Europe and beyond,” explains Conor Lyons, director with First Ireland and member of the judging panel.
Gerry Muldowney, CEO of Dublin Business School, says: ‘This initiative will provide our students with a fantastic platform to bring a great entrepreneurial idea to fruition’.
John Roe, Executive Chairman of First Ireland, adds: “The successful student will have to demonstrate creativity, show us their innovative abilities and impress us with their business knowledge and skills. It is a tall order but well worth the challenge.”
Since 1986, serial entrepreneur and business ‘angel’ John Roe has been involved in the creation and development of nearly 40 businesses in a varied range of industries, from insurance to technology. Roe’s main focus has been to encourage people to develop good ideas. “Young entrepreneurs must take risks and be prepared to fail. Nobody will always be right. I also believe they should concentrate on doing the right thing, not necessarily doing things right!”