Galway entrepreneurs make awards shortlist

Two Galway companies are among the 24 finalists of the 2021 EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Spotlight Oral Care, owned by sisters and dentists Lisa and Vanessa Creaven, is shortlisted among the eight companies in the emerging category – and Chanelle Pharma, the well-established Loughrea operation founded and owned by Michael Burke, is nominated in the international section.

All of the entrepreneurs, which span the retail, consumer, technology, health and leisure sectors among many more, collectively generate annual revenues in excess of €1.325bn.

The finalists from across the island of Ireland will compete across three categories – emerging, industry and international – and one overall winner will be selected as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 in November.

Paraic Waters, Partner at EY’s Galway office, said that this year’s finalists highlighted the vibrant diversity of the entrepreneurial landscape across the island of Ireland.

“The ability of entrepreneurs to embed the power of digital into all aspects of their businesses is reflected strongly in this year’s cohort of finalists,” he said.

“In what has been a really tough period of trading for many entrepreneurs, it has been equally uplifting to see so many manufacturing finalists also thriving, and able to continue growing their businesses and employment in the current environment,” he added.

Now in its 24th year, the EOY has established itself as a world-class development programme that supports, promotes and connects entrepreneurs, championing entrepreneurship throughout the island and around the world.

Since its inception, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year community has grown to a tight-knit network of more than 550 alumni who harness each other’s wealth of experience, with more than three quarters (77%) conducting business with one another.

Together, the EOY alumni community generates revenues of €21bn, and employs more than 200,000 people across   Ireland.