After a busy week of really successful events, Local Enterprise Office Louth concluded Local Enterprise Week with the Louth Enterprise Awards last Friday. This celebration of enterprise and entrepreneurship across the county brought together business owners, mentors, support agencies and representative bodies. The event was hosted by Local Enterprise Office Louth and Louth County Council and was, as always, the highlight of Local Enterprise Week.

The event commenced with an opening address by the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Paula Butterly.

The awards ceremony was presided over by journalist and broadcaster Alison Comyn, featuring a headline interview with entrepreneur Edel Treanor of Mullan Lighting. Edel offered valuable insights on expanding a business internationally, balancing personal and professional development, and the importance of innovation to remain competitive.

Subsequently, Alison proceeded to announce and interview the winners of this years awards.

The Best Start-Up Award was won by Donal Quinn of ENSO Initiatives. Donal has developed a unique platform to specifically help small businesses, who cannot afford specialist teams and consultants, to develop, implement, track, and communicate their sustainability plans.

Frank Clarke of Omuu was named winner of the Innovation Award. Frank has developed an innovative insect based veterinary dog food. The product is designed to help dogs from nose to tail with each ingredient perfectly chosen to serve a unique nutritional purpose. It helps dogs with allergies, dental disease, gastrointestinal problems, kidney disease, and arthritis. This sustainable, unique product meets the needs of the market and is underpinned by strong environmental values and actions.

The award for Best Established Business was presented to David Kieran of ZOMA. Established back in 2017 as a marketing, branding and web development agency, the company has evolved to offer 3D and Augmented Reality services. Employing 8 full time staff, the business has seen significant growth in demand for its services since early 2020 and has recently launched a new online ordering platform for food service businesses that aims to be a major disruptor in the online food ordering sector.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the announcement of ZOMA as the overall winner of the Louth Enterprise Awards 2024. David Kieran will now represent Louth at the National Enterprise Awards finals at The Mansion House, Dublin, in May.

Sarah Mallon, the Coordinator of Local Enterprise Week for Louth, wrapped up the event by emphasising the vital role of enterprise in Louth's economy. “Local Enterprise Office Louth provides a superb range of supports to SMEs in the county to drive growth and job creation. Explore these services and identify the ones that will help your business to grow and thrive by visiting www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Louth/ReadyTo, and then talk our team. Local Enterprise Week may have come to an end for another year, but we are here for you all year round.”