Galway Local Enterprise Office hold an annual enterprise awards competition with the aim of supporting and recognising new and growing businesses in the Galway area. There are three awards categories: Overall winner in Galway County, Overall winner in Galway City and Best New Business. The companies are judged on areas including business plans, marketing strategy, finance, use of technology, innovation in the business and the entrepreneurial skills of the business owner.

Having entered under the category of “Best New Business” in 2014, I was delighted to receive the award in this category. It has given me the confidence to drive the business forward, to expand and improve our product range and to continue to develop our customer base both here in Ireland and abroad.

The Local Enterprise Office has helped me to bring my business idea from concept to product development and manufacture through the Lean Launch training programme, which is unique to Galway, and through subsequent funding and mentoring.