Why IBYE? Top Tips from Past Finalists!

IBYE has never been just about the amazing €2 Million National Prize Fund, even though every ambitious entrepreneur knows it most certainly helps!

No, IBYE has always been much more than that!

The journey, from the time you submit your application online, right through to the crowning of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur at the innovative Google Foundry, is immense and filled with a wealth of business benefits.

These include:

Business Boot-camps where you get expert advice and hone your business goals and strategies.
The chance to build relationships with business influencers.
Network with other like-minded entrepreneurs and exchange tips and information.
Media opportunities to increase your brand presence on both a local and National scale.

And much more!

We, at IBYE HQ could talk about this all day however it’s not us you want to hear from. No, it’s the people who have experienced the whole IBYE journey from start to end: The National Finalists!

So Why #IBYE ?

Top IBYE Tips from Past finalists

Mayo’s Nigel O’Reilly of Nigel O’Reilly Goldsmith showcased a range of exquisite jewelry design as one of last year’s Finalists.

“Honestly, the IBYE competition has completely revolutionised my business. The mentoring and exposure has allowed for bigger opportunities to come my way & move my business on at great leaps and bounds.” He tells us.

Nigel’s Top Tips for #IBYE are:

Give it your all; it is worth it!
Listen to the mentors and practice what they preach
Enjoy it; it’s a whirlwind!

Kildare’s Jenny Reynolds has a similar view! Jenny pitched her business, Topper Technologies, on the Final Stage at Google in the Best Business Idea Category.

“I cannot recommend IBYE highly enough; the experience was fantastic!” says Jenny. “The process really helps refine your business plan and the assistance from mentors at each level is top class. Having the opportunity to meet with other like-minded entrepreneurs is of great value and the quality of the content delivered in the workshop was excellent and very helpful.”

Jenny’s Top Tips for #IBYE are:

Pitch your passion

Ditch the fear and ….

Enter!

Donegal’s Gillian Doyle has sage advice for those thinking of entering IBYE. Gillian entered her idea for Cerebreon Technologies into IBYE last year and thus began a journey all the way to the National Final!

“Very experienced eyes review your business plan.” She explains. “They want your business to work so the feedback is extremely relative. It’s up to you how you use it! Some of the best things about IBYE were how it impacted the acceleration and growth of our business and the other finalists; we’ve a peer mentoring group now and a network that is always open!”