Entrepreneur awards for local schools

Scoil Mhuire, Borrisokane and Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan were among the top award winners in the Junior Entrepreneur Awards announced last week.

Fifth and Sixth class students at Scoil Mhuire were the recipients of the Go Green Award in the All-Island Junior Entrepreneur Awards for their JEP business, Borris Bombs, with the support of their teacher Nikki Moten. The class conducted extensive market research to test various aspects of their new company, including the best name for the product, preferred packaging and colour themes, and the ideal price point.

Sustainability was at the heart of the project from the outset. The enterprising students partnered with the Nenagh Guardian to get a stock of newspapers for recycling. Through their creativity, hard work, and attention to detail, they transformed basic raw materials of recycled paper and wildflower seeds into eye-catching, sustainable seed bombs. In the process, they also promoted the setting of wildflowers to support biodiversity.

Once production was underway, the sales and marketing teams swung into action to get the word out. The price was set at €3.50 per bomb and €6 for a pack of two, allowing scope for upselling by offering a discount for multiple purchases. The finance team kept track of income and expenses, recording a profit of €650. The class celebrated their success with an end-of-year feast and generously split the remaining balance between the Dillon Quirke Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society

The Go Green Award recognises classes that put environmentally positive practices at the heart of their JEP business. These junior entrepreneurs utilise eco-friendly materials, minimise waste, reuse resources, and design products that promote sustainability. Leading by example, they strive to make a positive environmental impact.

ELEVATED DOG BOWL HOLDERS

Sixth Class at Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan received the Genius Product Award for their JEP business, Drippy Dawgs. Having explored several potential business ideas, the class settled on producing elevated dog bowl holders carved from wood and fitted with two dog bowls.

The class decided to launch the idea early on and created an event to raise seed funding for the project. Having secured help at home to cut out the wood pieces, they assembled, varnished and customised their product. The marketing team created colourful posters to promote the new product and added a QR code to direct customers to their website.

Class teacher Máire de Loinge helped the class create a website and take online orders. At the end of the project, the junior entrepreneurs were delighted to report a substantial profit of €980.

The Genius Product Award celebrates clever product design. The award recognises the innovation behind the Big Idea chosen for the JEP class project. The Genius Product is an innovative product produced to a high standard and a clear understanding of the target.

The projects were among just 12 category winners out of over 200 projects submitted.

10,000 JUNIOR ENTREPRENEURS

Over 10,000 children completed JEP in the 2024-25 academic year. Over 120,000 pupils have participated in JEP since its foundation.

Marie Lynch, the co-founder and Managing Director of the Junior Entrepreneur Programme, said: “JEP has become a rite of passage for children in primary schools. They pool their skills and talents to turn an idea into reality and experience real-world success. They forge deeper bonds with each other, and, for many, it is the highlight of their primary school years.”

Enterprise Ireland has supported JEP since 2020 under its Primary Schools Entrepreneurship Initiative, highlighting the vital role of entrepreneurship in shaping Ireland’s future and the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial culture from an early age.

Thousands of Irish entrepreneurs have mentored Fifth and Sixth class primary school pupils while they create and launch mini businesses in their schools. Children are inspired by local entrepreneurs invited to the classroom to share their stories. EY Entrepreneur of the Year Alumni also volunteer their time to visit schools in their counties.