Offaly Student Entrepreneurs on the Road to Croker

Three student entreprises from Offaly are on the road to Croker today (Wednesday) as they represent the county in the tenth annual student enterprise awards final at Croke Park. Co-ordinated locally by Offaly County Enterprise Board, the competition is the largest programme of its kind in the country. Since last September 16,647 budding entrepreneurs from 387 secondary schools across the country have been researching, setting up and running their own enterprises with help from teachers and local enterprise boards. "Even Tan Tone" from St Brendan's Community School in Birr, "Shelvz" from the same school and "C-Lane" from Tullamore College represent Offaly today in the junior, intermediate and senior categories of the competition. The three projects are up against over 300 finalists from all over Ireland. Adjudicators at the competition today will award marks on key areas including innovation, market research, sales, production, marketing, finances and planning. Business Advisor from the Offaly County Enterprise Board Geraldine Beirne has praised the local student entrepreneurs. "Our local budding entrepreneurs from Offaly have all successfully researched, set up and managed a business over the last year, learning important business and enterprise skills along the way," she said. "Their families, communities, schools and teachers can be very proud of what they have achieved as they take on the role of student enterprise ambassadors for the county at this year's National Final in Croke Park." Senior Category winners today will enjoy an educational trip to Italy in September as part of their prize, as well as perhaps greater entrepreneurial success. Last year's winner Tara Haughton now exports her winning products, the 'Rosso Solini' designer-looking soles for high heels, to 22 countries including Brazil, the US and Kuwait.