SFA National Small Business Awards 2024 Finalists announcement

SFA National Small Business Awards 2024 Finalists announcement

• Finalists announced in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2024
• Taoiseach says for 20 years the SFA National Small Business Awards have celebrated the talent and success of Ireland’s vibrant small business community

The finalists in the SFA National Business Awards 2024 have been officially announced by Sue O’Neill, Chair of the SFA Awards Judging Panel. The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry.

“The response to the awards programme is a reminder that Irish small companies are resilient, putting their best foot forward and seeking recognition for their efforts” commented Sue O’Neill. “As well as our nine award categories, we also feature five of the best Emerging New Businesses (less than two years established) and, given the quality of the businesses represented this year, entrepreneurship is alive and well in Ireland”

“The Small Firms Association are marking the 20th anniversary of this programme which continues to celebrate the success of small business owners. The 273,000 small firms in Ireland employ nearly half the private sector workforce and these awards aim to portray excellence, achievement and innovation amongst these companies in all sectors and parts of the country” she added.

Speaking at the launch of the awards, Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar said: “For 20 years the SFA National Small Business Awards have celebrated the talent and success of Ireland’s vibrant small business community. The awards celebrate innovation, resilience, strength, and the creativity of our country’s entrepreneurs. Small firms are central to Ireland’s economic success and to our drive for balanced regional development, creating jobs in all regions of the country. The Government will continue to prioritise the growth and competitiveness of the small business sector.”

Fifty companies have been selected as finalists, from 16 different counties, across ten categories.

MANUFACTURING CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)

Sponsored by ptsb

• Leinster Environmentals
• Total Plastic Solution
• Hygeia
• Thorn Environmental
• K&K Windows
• Farm Fresh Foods

FOOD & DRINK CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)

Sponsored by Bord Bia

• Burren Smokehouse
• Loughran Brewing Stores
• Oishii Foods
• Murphy's Ice Cream
• HYDE Irish Whiskey
• Hx46 Café and pan Asian Casual Dining

SERVICES CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 Employees)

Sponsored by SAGE

• OSENG
• Climeaction
• moneysherpa
• Pawprints Cremation
• PD Ceramics Ltd.
• ROCTEL

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to five employees)

Sponsored by Elavon

• Drink Botanicals Ireland
• Jack Murphy Clothing
• Zingibeer
• Nutty Delights
• Irish Socksciety
• Funky Monkey Foods

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)

Sponsored by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)

• ATC
• Waterford Distillery
• Dynamic Electrical Engineering Contractors
• Zeus Scooters
• Klearcom Tech
• On-Site Refueling
• OnePageCRM

RETAIL CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)

Sponsored by One4all Rewards

• The Sports Room
• Willie Duggan Lighting
• Picado Mexican
• Herd Butchery
• JJ Burke Car Sales
• Tour America

EXPORTER OF THE YEAR CATOGARY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)

Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland

• Klearcom Tech
• Zeus Scooters
• HYDE Irish Whiskey
• Loughran Brewing Stores
• OCEANR
• Burren Smokehouse

SUSTAINABILITY CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 59 employees)

Sponsored by Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI)

• Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway
• Hygeia
• OB-1 Hair
• Re-Cycle Bikes
• Burren Smokehouse
• Waterford Distillery

WORKPLACE WELLBEING CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)

Sponsored by DeCare

• Hills Fine Art & Craft Materials
• ICE Group
• Funky Monkey Foods
• Michael’s Mount Merrion
• Three Q Temps

EMERGING NEW BUSINESS CATEGORY (up to 50 employees, under 2 years in business)

Sponsored by Microfinance Ireland

• Colectivo
• Ecco Spray
• JustTip Technologies
• Little Learning Steps
• Weighless Wonders

The Awards prize package for ALL finalists includes participation in a strategic management masterclass weekend during January as well as the SFA Business Connect event at Killashee Hotel on February 08, 2024. All benefit from broad-ranging national and local media coverage valued at €50,000. Finalists also receive three complimentary tickets to the Gala Prize Winning Ceremony to take place in the RDS on March 07, 2024, when category prize winners and the overall winner will be announced. The Category winners will be presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association for one year.

Ends.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

• Interviews with the finalist companies and emerging new business winner can be arranged through the SFA. Contact: Naira Ludescher, Projects & Marketing Executive, SFA, naira.ludescher@sfa.ie
• Full details are on www.sfaawards.ie or follow us on LinkedIn:
• @Small Firms Association #SFAAwards2024.