Update

The 20/20 VISIONary Search Business Competition was launched by Wexford Enterprise Centre in June as part of their 20th Anniversary celebrations and has generated tremendous  interest within the County and further afield. The Centre’s CEO Brendan Ennis stated that “even in these challenging times, opportunities do exist for people willing to invest time, drive and energy into developing innovative business ventures and this competition has proved that enterprise is very much alive and kicking in County Wexford”

Over 30 applications were received for Wexford Enterprise Centre's 20/20 VISIONary Search Business Start Up Competition. A panel of independent judges whittled the applications down to ten finalists.

Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th September saw 10 of Wexford’s newest business ideas battle it out in a Dragon’s Den style competition geared at finding Wexford’s newest entrepreneur. The 10 finalists pitched their concepts to a diverse panel of experts in the historic surroundings of Wexford’s Johnstown Castle for the chance to win a €20,000 start up business package designed to meet the specific needs of any budding entrepreneur.

The judging panel consisted of

- Seamus Whitney - Pinnacle Career Services

- Marion Barry - Sales and Marketing Manager, South East Radio

- Philip Scallan - Celtic Linen

- Mary McEvoy - Enterprise Ireland

- Michael McDonald - Sheil Kinnear Accounts

Over 160 people attended the final of the 20/20 VISIONary Search on Monday 12th October in the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford.

Sean Carthy emerged as the very deserving winner during the judging process.  

Sean Carthy is developing a new system that applies induction heating technologies for commercial deep fryers which will reduce the energy consumption of heating oil by 30%. Sean’s endeavours could have a global impact commercially on the fast food industry and will create sustainable employment in Wexford.

 

The finalists were:

- Tom Galway, who’s idea is to supply ultrasonic golf cleaning machines.

- Jane Carroll who proposes to help parents support healthy eating through cooking demonstrations.

- Menapia Shipping who wish to provide tow emergency towing vessels for the Irish Government.

- Diarmuid O Sulleabhain and Thomas Meyler who’s idea is to establish a tutorial centre providing the complete service for all examination needs.

- Mark Cooper who proposes to provide a website for the fishing and shooting community.

- Stan Kelly who’s idea is to provide a unique professional grave care/maintenance service including new on line services.

- Aisling Noone, who’s idea is to provide an educational service that will teach groups of people the art and skill of sewing projects and techniques.

- Fon Roche Dreelan who proposes to provide an on line pet pharmacy.

-Thomas Roche who has designed a new system to reduce home heating costs with the manufacture of a chimney flu for domestic oil burners.