Minister Simon Coveney announced the winners, with business recognized across a range of categories, including Innovation, Export, Sustainability, and Start-Up.
One of Europe’s only ‘concept to shelves’ cosmetics companies has taken the top prize at this year’s National Enterprise Awards announced this evening. Advanced Cosmetics, who are based in Ballina, Co. Mayo, were set up by cosmetic chemist Noreen Hackett in 2018, before launching to market in 2022. Already the business has achieved significant success, securing contracts with some of the biggest brand names in the cosmetics industry.
The Awards, which are an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate the best small businesses in Ireland, were held at the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin in what is their 23rd year. Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, announced this year’s winners in front of representatives from the Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities and small businesses from across the country at the event.
Advanced Cosmetics Manufacturing was founded by Noreen Hackett in 2018 but incubated and engaged in meticulous research and development before they officially launched in 2022. Prior to founding Advanced Cosmetics’ manufacturing arm, Hackett had worked closely with some of Ireland and the UK’s biggest cosmetic brands in product development, however she realised that no company offered an end-to-end solution.
Recognising an opportunity to enhance the Irish market offering, Advanced Cosmetics Manufacturing was established. Beginning production in November 2022, the business now works with companies from formulation through to packaging, offering a “Made in Ireland” solution for Irish cosmetics companies. Advanced Cosmetics work with some of the leading cosmetics brands across Ireland and the UK.
Announcing the award winners at the Mansion House, Minister Coveney said; “The National Enterprise Awards are the highlight of the small business and enterprise calendar. Year on year the diversity of businesses and the standard of companies that are coming through the process is getting stronger. We should not be surprised given the innovation and endurance that businesses have shown in the past couple years. We have some outstanding winners but the finalists on the whole have been excellent, and this is very much the start of their journey. We will ensure they continue to get the support they need to grow their businesses as small businesses in Ireland are at the core of every town, village and community and are vital to our economy.”
John Magee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices, said; “This is an opportunity to celebrate the innovation, resilience and excellence of our small businesses across the country. The standard again this year is phenomenal with finalists and winners across all sectors. We are seeing some amazing businesses coming to the fore.
“The Local Enterprise Offices are at the coal face in working with these businesses and up and coming entrepreneurs and I think the clients really see the value we bring, not just in financial supports, but the wealth of knowledge and experience. Entrepreneurship and starting a business is a lonely road but we have to appluade our finalists and winners tonight. They took that leap and the without them our communities are a poorer place.”
There were several other category winners announced on the night.
Innovation Award
The winner of the Innovation Award was the Wicklow Hops Company supported by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow, who use next generation technology in yeast fermentation and the growing of bacteria.
Best Export Award
The winner of the Best Export Award was Wild Irish Seaweed supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare, who are one of the only hand picked wild seaweed companies in Europe and export their premium product across the globe.
Best Start Up Award
The winner of the Best Start-Up Award was IMVIZAR supported by Local Enterprise Office Dun-Laoghaire-Rathdown, who create walkable storytelling experiences by using augmented reality for tourist attractions, universities and entertainers.
Green / Sustainability Award
The winner of the Green/Sustainability Award was Cream of the Crop supported by Local Enterprise Office Fingal, who are a zero waste company that create treats from surplus produce to help fight food waste.
One To Watch Award
The winner of the One to Watch Award was Watt Footprint supported by Local Enterprise Office Westmeath, who are an energy management company who achieved signifcant energy savings for their clients.
This year’s winners share a €50,000 investment fund and eight regional winners were also announced on the night.
Those winners are –
• High Resolution Lighting in the Dublin Region (backed by LEO South Dublin)
• Cotter Agritech in the South West Region (backed by LEO Limerick)
• Glass Innovations in the Mid East Region (backed by LEO Offaly)
• Hyde Irish Whiskey in the South Region (backed by LEO South Cork)
• Sully and Juno in the South East Region (backed by LEO Wexford)
• Silver Strand Rope Works in the North West Region (backed by LEO Donegal)
• Nualach Automation in the North East Region (backed by LEO Cavan)
• Lark Bridal in the West Region (backed by LEO Roscommon)
Also honoured on the night were West Cork Distillers who won the Outstanding Achievement Award. An example of a company who began with their Local Enterprise Office and then accessed support from Enterprise Ireland to grow their business globally. Established by school friends Ger McCarthy, John O’Connell and Denis McCarthy in 2003 the company now employs over 150 in their hometown of Skibbereen and exports their whiskey to over 70 countries.
Previous winners of the National Enterprise Awards include Irish Yoghurts (1998), Obelisk (2000), Simtech Aviation (2008), Digiweb (2004) and Design Pro (2013), Terra NutriTech (2018), Pestle & Mortar (2019) and Bevcraft (2021).
Last year’s winners were Aqualicence, supported by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow. Headed up by former Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) Finalist Kate Dempsey, Aqualicence has positioned itself at the forefront of planning and project delivery in the offshore renewable energy sector.
The National Enterprise Awards are one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 25,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie
