Prize Winners 2012

 

OVERALL WINNER: “Irish Baubles" from St. David's Secondary School in Greystones. Ciara Whooley from St. David’s Secondary School in Greystones, for her beautiful Irish Baubles business. Ciara spotted Christmas Baubles containing photos of famous cities around the world while travelling, and came up with the idea for her mini-company – individually presented glass baubles, hand painted with scenes from Greystones. Her first product was such a success at the Wicklow Gaol Victorian Christmas market, that she now has a growing range of glass baubles in development, in preparation for the 2012 Christmas markets. A wonderful product! Not only has Ciara won €500 but she will also go on to represent County Wicklow at the National Finals in Croke Park next month. Congratulations Ciara!

1st Runner Up: “Gripit.co Non-Slip" from St. Gerard's in Bray.  Five enthusiastic young women entrepreneurs outsource special grips for hockey, hurling and camogie sticks, making them less slippy in wet weather! The girls are growing into the tennis and badminton markets

2nd Runner Up: “Business Beer Mats" from Scoil Chonglais, Baltinglass.  The five young lads print local business details onto beer mats and sell the idea to pubs in their local area. James Aldridge also won a Limited Edition Nintendo Wii in the raffle – all of his team were kitted out in highly colourful gear for the final.

Most Innovative Idea: “No More Knots" from Colaiste Chraobh Abhann, Kilcoole.  A simple way to keep the knots away - a device used to store cables so they will not get knotted or broken

Best Oral Presentation: “Squeeeze" from St Mary's College, Arklow.  The company imports and sells a variety of tube squeezers which extracts all the contents from the tube. It is practical and unique to the Irish market and results in savings for the user. It can be used for toothpaste, makeup etc.

Best Stand/Dispaly: “Occasions for You" from Colaiste Bhride, Carnew.  Homemade decorative cupcakes for sale for any occasion

Best Quality Product/Service: “Woodies TY" from Colaiste Bhride, Carnew.  Woodies TY produce handcrafted wooden lamps, pencil holders etc to a very high standard

Best Market Research: “Birdieputt" from Colaiste Chill Mhantain, Wicklow Town.  Development of a new & innovative golf putting device, for improving putting skills that is more effective & cheaper than competitor products

Widest Target Market: “AYHA" from St Gerard's, Bray.  AYHA is a website which connects publishers with other websites and advertises small businesses via pay per click

Special Commendation (Best Report): “Tees in da Hood" from Dominican College, Wicklow. Selling personalized hoodies and t-shirts – customers specify colour, pictures, font, etc.

Special Commendation: “Dynamics" from St. Kevin's Community College, Dunlavin. An innovative book for children on learning the basics of music through the use of a story about three fairy princesses