The nine shortlisted finalists for the Business of Craft Awards as part of Showcase 2025 were announced today ahead of the event from the 19th – 21st January.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) awards are open to all the LEO clients who are exhibiting at the event as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase. This is the second year of the awards that celebrate the business behind the amazing craft and design products created across the country.
The awards have three categories; Best Newcomer for the best craft and design business who is exhibiting for the first time, One to Watch for the best craft and design business who has excellent export and international potential and finally Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability.
The shortlisted finalists for this year’s awards are, in the Newcomer Category, SIOG Botanicals supported by LEO Kildare, Incredible Socks supported by LEO Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Mojo & Co supported by LEO Louth.
In the One to Watch category the finalists are Culu Design supported by LEO Wexford, One Dame Lane supported by LEO Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Fussy Food Plates supported by LEO South Dublin.
And in the Sustainability Champion category the finalists are WASI supported by LEO Cork North & West, Rowena Sheen Jewellery supported by LEO Clare and Crafts of Ireland supported by LEO Cavan.
This year sees an additional award for Best Visual Business. This will be judged at the event and will be awarded to the craft and design business with the best visual presence and branding both at the event but also across their online footprints.
The awards will take place on Monday, 20th January at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event. The shortlisted companies were selected from the 105 Local Enterprise clients who will be exhibiting to national and international buyers across the three days.
Tom Rooney, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices, said; “The Business of Craft Awards have proved to be a fantastic addition to our presence at Showcase. It gives us an opportunity to spotlight those amazing craft and design companies who have built great businesses to underpin their excellent products. This in turn shows the buyers that these businesses really are ones to watch and worth taking a closer look at for 2025.
“The Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase will again be the flagship event for the very best of our craft and design businesses from across the country. As we celebrate 50 years of Showcase it’s a testament to the businesses and the quality of products that our makers create that has helped to sustain the success of this event year on year. We’re looking forward to another amazing event and to celebrate some outstanding businesses at the awards.”
Mary Blanchfield, interim Chief Executive, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) commented: “Congratulations to all the finalists of the LEOs Business of Craft Awards. These awards are a great way to celebrate the business models of craftspeople across the country. Showcase 2025 promises to highlight the very best of Irish talent and creativity. At Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), we are delighted to have the opportunity to provide support a dynamic platform for businesses to connect and collaborate with both domestic and international buyers. We look forward to working closely with the Local Enterprise Offices to welcome all the exhibitors and to build on the success of last year’s show.”
The winners of the first year of the Business of Craft Awards in 2024 were in the Sustainability Champion category, Palm Free Irish Soap, who create a luxury range of Irish made soaps, deodorant and shampoo bars, free of palm oil. In the One to Watch Category the winner was Bex Shelford Prints, who specialise in fine art prints, cards, screen prints and the award for Best Newcomer went to Sully and Juno, who create a range of sensory friendly clothing.
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 75,000 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.
FINALISTS - Business of Craft Awards 2025 – Local Enterprise Showcase @ Showcase 2025
Newcomer
• SIOG Botanicals – supported by LEO Kildare
• Incredible Socks – supported by LEO Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown
• Mojo & Co – Supported by LEO Louth
One to Watch
• Culu Design – supported by LEO Wicklow
• One Dame Lane – supported by LEO Wicklow
• Fussy Food Plates – supported by LEO South Dublin
Sustainability
• WASI – supported by LEO Cork North & West
• Rowena Sheen Jewellery – supported by LEO Clare
• Crafts of Ireland – supported by LEO Cavan
Finalists Business of Craft Awards 2025
