600 Students Look to Entrepreneurship as a Career

Young Entrepreneur Programme Expands as The Education Tool for the Future

Anne O'Leary, CADCO, Aisling Ní Shúilleabháin,
winner 2009 and Tony Allen of Spidercatcher

600 students in Kerry and Limerick embark on a six month entrepreneurship programme designed to introduce them to the world of entrepreneurship and to develop a set of lifelong transferable skills.

The Young Entrepreneur Programme, developed by the Institute of Technology, Tralee, Shannon Development and Jerry Kennelly, is now in its third year and has become a standard on the curriculum of secondary schools and for third level students in the region. This year the programme has expanded to take in Limerick Secondary Schools and the University of Limerick

"Our programme is proving phenomenally successful and teachers, while hard-pressed for resources, have embraced YEP and are working with students and their mentors to equip the next generation with the skills and ambition to consider entrepreneurship as a valuable career choice" says Programme manager Anne Looney. "One in five students in Kerry study entrepreneurship, more than anywhere else in Ireland."

And the students will get to learn from the best. Friday is Blue Sky Day when they will hear from some of Ireland's top entrepreneurs such as Niall Mellon; Anne O'Leary, founder of Cadco, Tony Allen whose SpiderCatcher invention is selling across the globe and the Dragon's Den Bobby Kerr of Insomnia

They'll also hear from last year's winner, Aisling Ni Shúilleabháin. Her idea and business plan for Kiddie Krawlies - a range of comfortable and fashionable kneepads for babies and toddlers - has now become a reality with the finished product about to go to market.

"It was fantastic to win last year but the real benefit was how much I learnt over the full programme," said Aisling, from Dingle. "In the Silicon Valley I got to meet with top business leaders, listening and learning from their suggestions and advice on how best to proceed with my business idea. I am really excited about the upcoming launch of Kiddie Krawlies".

Learn More... | Blue Sky Day 2009 Programme Details

Business Boot Camp Programme 2009

9.45am	Arrival - Tea and Coffee
10.00am	Introduction - Colette Fitzpatrick
10.05am	From farmer to entrepreneur - Joe Daly, founder of Valentia Island Farmhouse Dairy tells Colette Fitzpatrick how he turned his dairy farm into an entrepreneurial enterprise.
10.25am	The art of presentation - Terry Prone, Managing Director, The Communications Clinic
10.40am	Entrepreneurs Under Fire - Young Entrepreneur Programme students put some of Ireland's leading entrepreneurs under pressure for the secrets behind their business success - Colm Healy, Skellig Chocolates; David Slattery, Slattery's Travel; Cathal O'Connell, Paddywagon Tours; Joanna Gardiner, Elave.
11.00am	Selling your dream - Irish Times MD Maeve Donovan tells Colette Fitzpatrick how a creative sales strategy made a difference in the transformation of the Irish Times.
11.15am	Questions & Answers
11.30am	BREAK
12.00pm	Cully & Sully Cook the books - Cully & Sully - create an 'instant financial business plan' with Colette Fitzpatrick
12.15pm	My big break with Ryanair - by Sarah Newman, founder Needahotel.com
12.30pm	Young Entrepreneur Grilling - Students present their business plans to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs - and face the tough questions. Sarah Newman; Sean Ryan, Aspen Connect; Ogie Sheehy, Automated Management Systems; Hugh Reynolds, New-Game.
1.30pm	Business Boot Camp Day concludes.

KENNELLY'S HEROES
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS PREPARE FOR BUSINESS BOOT CAMP

Soldier of fortune, Jerry Kennelly, puts Kerry enterprise students through their paces as they prepare for a special Business Boot Camp in the Brandon Hotel Conference Centre, Tralee on 30 January 2009.

Business Boot Camp is part of the Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP) which has been developed by Institute of Technology, Tralee and the Kerry Technology Park. Business speakers supporting this year's event include: Joe Daly, founder of Valentia Island Farmhouse Dairy; Terry Prone, Managing Director, The Communications Clinic; Colm Healy, Skellig Chocolates; David Slattery, Slattery's Travel and TV Dragon, Sarah Newman.

Speaking at the launch Jerry Kennelly said: "Young people are going to need enterprising qualities to survive the current economic climate. They are more likely to have a rewarding professional life if they are the kind of people who are 'go getters' with ideas and make them happen than if they are just cogs in someone else's machine."

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAMME 2008/2009
NOW IS UNDERWAY

17 SCHOOLS ACROSS KERRY & IT TRALEE ACTIVELY TAKING PART

Young Entrepreneur Programme winner 2007-2008 Neasa Fitzpatrick with Denis O Brien

The Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP) 2008/9 kicked off on 26 September with the Blue Sky Day featuring an impressive list of guest speakers featuring; Digicel CEO, Denis O'Brien, O'Brien's Sandwich Bars Founder, Brody Sweeney; Managing Director MB Funds, Credit Suisse, Michael Brewster; teenage millionaires and Auctomatic founders, Patrick and John Collison; Dragon's Den stars and founders of ifoods.tv Niall Harbison and Sean Fee.

Now in its second year the Young Entrepreneur Programme, which is the brainchild of entrepreneur and Stockbyte founder Jerry Kennelly, has been developed by Institute of Technology, Tralee (IT, Tralee) and the Kerry Technology Park (KTP).

Jerry Kennelly, founder, Young Entrepreneur Programme The Young Entrepreneur Programme is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to illustrating the validity of entrepreneurship as a career choice. It is our mission to help identify, inform, recognise and celebrate Kerry's next generation of business leaders - and their educators.

The programme targets second and third level students and aims to foster and nurture a spirit of enterprise.

The Blue Sky Day gave the participating students the opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the lives of leading entrepreneurs. The line-up was tailored towards motivating and energising the student as well as imparting valuable knowledge.

Jerry Kennelly said: "The business environment in Ireland is changing rapidly and it is vital that we encourage home-grown industry to ensure future economic growth and competitiveness. In the current uncertain economic climate the YEP is a prime example of Irish education and business taking positive action. We are privileged to have such a high calibre of speakers mentoring the next generation."

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
ANNOUNCED

Business stars of the future revealed at gala awards ceremony

The future of enterprise; Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Neasa , pictured with Padraig O'Ceidigh.

Update: 23/05/2008 - The Young Entrepreneur Programme Awards 2008 has taken place at a gala awards ceremony in the Malton Hotel, Killarney. The overall winner, Neasa Fitzpatrick from Colaiste Na Sceilige, Caherciveen, was named the Young Entrepreneur of the Year and scooped a cash prize of €5,000.

Titled 'Learn 2 Learn', her business idea of a tutorial and mentoring service for Junior Cert students, and provided by Transition Year students, most impressed the panel of judges.

The awards mark the end of the first academic year of the Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP) which was developed by the Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT) and Shannon Development's Kerry Technology Park (KTP) and is dedicated to illustrating the validity of entrepreneurship as a natural career choice among young people.

Neasa, commenting on her victory said: "I can't believe it. I'm delighted. The business plan was a lot of work but once I got into I got a real buzz out of it."

For the past two weeks, the judging panel, comprising a host of leading Irish entrepreneurs, has been deliberating over business plans submitted by second and third level students from throughout Kerry. The panel included:

Padraig O'Ceidigh - Chairman, Aer Arann
Alan Scroope - CEO, Freeflow
John Rice - CEO, JAM Media
Michael Carey - Executive Chairman, Jacob Fruitfield Food Group
Mike Fitzgerald - CEO, Altobridge
Joanna Gardiner - MD, Ovelle Pharmaceutical

In a Dragon's Den-style format, a shortlist of ten presented their business plans to the judges live on stage before the night culminated with the announcement of the final winners by MC, Sile Seoige. The list of winners included:

The future of enterprise; Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Neasa , pictured with Padraig O'Ceidigh and Jerry Kennelly.

Best Overall (Young Entrepreneur of the Year): Neasa Fitzpatrick, Colaiste Na Sceilige, Caherciveen, who received a €5000 prize for her business idea 'Learn2Learn'.

Best Second Level Entry: Lisa Quill and Denise O'Sullivan, Pobailscoil Inbhear Sceine, Kenmare, who received a €1500 prize for their idea 'Babysitme.ie' which is an online based babysitting service aimed at hotels to offer their guests.

Best Third Level Entry: Katie Sheehy, Institute of Technology, Tralee, who received a €1500 prize for her plan to set up a bistro / bookstore in the town of Killorglin called 'Tasty Pages'.

Best Innovative Entry: Siobhan O'Shea and Cora Kingerlee, Pobailscoil Inbhear Sceine, Kenmare, who received a €1000 prize for their plan to design a voice activated emergency alarm system for the elderly and disabled living alone.

Best Educator: Sharon Fitzgerald who is a teacher at Colaiste Na Sceilige, Caherciveen, received a €1000 prize.

Educator, Winning Entry: Sharon Fitzgerald who is a teacher at Colaiste Na Sceilige, Caherciveen received a €1000 prize.

Speaking at the event, entrepreneur, Jerry Kennelly, who spearheads the YEP, said: "It is vital we nurture entrepreneurship to ensure future economic growth. With rising costs and our corporation tax breaks being replicated elsewhere, we can no longer depend on attracting multinationals to generate prosperity.

"The Young Entrepreneur Programme connects students to the business community and is playing an active role in cultivating the spirit of enterprise among the next generation.

"The spirit of enterprise and enthusiasm from the students is positively palpable and if their inspiring business plans are a sign of what the next generation has to offer - then we need to brace ourselves for a revolution in enterprise."

View more images from the day here
News Reports:
Kerry student wins entrepreneur prize - From the Irish Times
Kerry girl wins Young Entrepreneur award - From RTE.ie
All eyes on the prize Neasa learns the easy way - from The Irish Independent

WHO WILL BE THE KINGDOM’S YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR 2008?

Business Stars of the Future Set To Be Revealed

Update 20/05/2008: A panel of judges gleaned from the ranks of Ireland’s top self-made businesspeople will decide who will become the Young Entrepreneur of the Year at a gala celebration on Friday, May 23rd as the Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP) 2008 draws to a close.

Padraig O’Ceidigh - Chairman, Aer Arann, Alan Scroope, CEO, Freeflow, John Rice - CEO JAM Media, Michael Carey - Executive Chairman, Jacob Fruitfield Food Group, Mike Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer, Altobridge and Joanna Gardiner, Ovelle Pharmaceuticals are the judges with the difficult task of deciding who gets the overall prize fund of €5,000.

The winners will be announced at a sparkling awards ceremony in the Malton Hotel, Killarney. Padraig O'Ceidigh - Chairman, Aer Arann The YEP was developed by the Institute of Technology, Tralee and Kerry Technology Park (KTP) and is dedicated to illustrating the validity of entrepreneurship as a natural career choice among young people.

Entrepreneur, Jerry Kennelly, who is spearheading the YEP says: "Just 11% of our exports are from Irish-owned companies. This statistic is particularly worrying in the context of the recent economic downturn and increased competition from eastern Europe and Asia.

"With rising costs, and our corporation tax beaks being replicated elsewhere, Ireland does not hold the attraction that it once did for multinationals. It is therefore vital that we push entrepreneurship to ensure future economic growth.

"The Young Entrepreneur Programme connects students to the business community and is playing an active role in cultivating the spirit of enterprise among the next generation."

The Young Entrepreneur Programme winners will be published here with photos from the event in the Malton Hotel, Killarney, on Saturday the 24th of May.

LEADING BUSINESS FIGURES GET A LESSON IN
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT BUSINESS BOOT CAMP

Some of Ireland’s top entrepreneurs were given a lesson in new ideas from business hopefuls as young as sixteen at a special Business Boot Camp in The Brandon Hotel Conference Centre, Tralee on Friday, February 1st 2008. View the image gallery from the day here.

Heavy hitters such as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Oliver Tattan of VIVAS Health, Aidan Heavy of Tullow Oil, Joe Gantly, former MD of Apple in Europe were there to hear the business pitches from various young entrepreneurs from schools around Kerry.

They heard a huge variety of business plans from the launch of a Goth clothing website to a national babysitting service to a business plan for designing and building high-quality fitness course in Ireland’s natural rugged terrain.

The one-day event, which is part of the Young Entrepreneur Programme And Awards and is supported by Institute of Technology, Tralee and the Kerry Technology Park, brought together an eclectic mix of business knowledge to investigate where business opportunities exist, how to win at business and what makes a good business plan.

Business is blooming; Jerry Kennelly listens to Students
business ideas at The Business Boot Camp in Tralee Co. Kerry yesterday, (Friday 1/02/08 ).

Kerry businessman Jerry Kennelly, who is spearheading the Young Entrepreneur Programme programme said: “There is no question that innovation is the heart of economic progress – it is the very bones and sinew of our economy and society. We recognise the importance of fostering business enterprise by connecting students with the business community. The Young Entrepreneur Programme Business Boot Camp gives students the invaluable opportunity to learn and be challenged by mentors.

“The ideas here were fantastic – and who knows what business stars of the future will emerge from days like today.”

Business is blooming; Front: Melissa Fitzgerald, Michelle Brosnan, 2nd row: Noleen O'Mahoney, Sile Seoige, Kirstie Landers. 3rd Row: Kristian Walsh, Olla O'Sullivan, Eoin O'Siochain. 4th Row: Hazel Ramsey, Daniel Culloty, Dierdre Curran. at The Business Boot Camp in Tralee Co. Kerry yesterday, (Friday 1/02/08 ).

Key lessons from the risky adventures and innovations, which led to some of Irelands most dynamic businesses, were outlined by many speakers throughout the day including:

    » Oliver Tattan, 2007 Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
    » Aidan Heavey, Founder & CEO of Tullow Oil
    » Joe Gantly, Former Managing Director (Europe), Apple Operations and Sales
    » Brian O’Kane – co-author, Starting a Business in Ireland
    » Jim Breen, founder of PulseLearning
    » Alan Scroope CEO, Freeflow & 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
    » Jenny Timoney, CEO Doolittles
    » Vincent Lynch, CEO, Donseed
    » Monique Meche, Senior Director, Cisco Systems, Europe

BUSINESS BOOT CAMP - Press Release

Sunday, January 20, 2008

LEADING BUSINESS FIGURES GIVE YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS DRILLING AT BUSINESS BOOT CAMP

Announcing details of the first ever Young Entrepreneur Programme Business Boot Camp,
which takes place in Tralee on February 1, are Kerry football captain Paul Galvin, Jerry Kennelly and model Samina Zia.

BUSINESS heavyweights Oliver Tatten and Aidan Heavey, as well as Kerry football captain Paul Galvin, are among some of the experts who will be putting Kerry enterprise students through their paces at a special Business Boot Camp in the Brandon Hotel Conference Centre, Tralee on 1 February.

The one day event, which is part of the Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP) and was developed by Institute of Technology, Tralee and the Kerry Technology Park, brings together an eclectic mix of business knowledge to investigate where business opportunities exist, how to win at business and what makes a good business plan. A selection of Kerry second and third level students will also receive a grilling when they present their business ideas to mentors Aidan Heavey, Alan Scroope and Joe Gantly.

Key lessons learned from the experience of growing some of Ireland’s most dynamic businesses will be shared by speakers, including:

Oliver Tattan, 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Aidan Heavey, Founder & CEO of Tullow Oil
Joe Gantly, Former Managing Director (Europe), Apple Operations and Sales
Brian O’Kane – co-author, Starting a Business in Ireland
Jim Breen, founder of PulseLearning
Alan Scroope, CEO, Freeflow
Jenny Timoney, CEO, Doolittles
Vincent Lynch, CEO, Donseed
Monique Meche, Senior Director, Cisco Systems, Europe

For many students the highlight will be when Kerry GAA star, Paul Galvin, reveals his secrets on the joys of success in his talk titled: ‘The taking part is grand – but the winning is sweet’.

Businessman Jerry Kennelly, who is spearheading the YEP says: “There is no question that innovation is at the heart of economic progress – it is the very bones and sinew of our economy and society. We recognise the importance of fostering business enterprise by connecting students with the business community. Business Boot Camp will give students the invaluable opportunity to learn and be challenged by mentors.”
ENDS

Notes to the editor
The "Young Entrepreneur Programme and Awards" is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to illustrating the validity of entrepreneurship as a natural career choice. It is our stated mission to help identify, inform, recognise and celebrate Kerry's next generation of business leaders by fostering student entrepreneurship through a comprehensive training course, interaction with entrepreneurs, mentoring and a business plan competition. The Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT), Kerry Technology Park, Jerry Kennelly (winner Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and former CEO of Stockbyte) and the Tom Crean Centre have pooled their expertise and resources to develop the Entrepreneur Programme aimed at 15 – 23 year olds in Kerry’s 2nd and 3rd level institutions.

A detailed event programme is available on request.

For More Information:
Michael O’Keeffe, Pembroke Communications: 01 649 6488/ 087 8854 072
Nigel O’Mahony, Pembroke Communications: 086 2497530
Brita Lyons, IT, Tralee: PH: 066 719 1705/087 2998616

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