National Enterprise Awards 2024: Meet 16 of this year’s finalists

The National Enterprise Awards are held each year to celebrate the best of small businesses in Ireland, with 31 businesses from across the country shortlisted for the awards.

The awards ceremony will be held in the Mansion House, Dublin on May 23rd , and will see businesses awarded across the categories of best start-up, best export business, an innovation award, a one-to-watch award and a sustainability award and for the overall National Enterprise of the Year. Here are 16 of the finalists.

Dublin City – Drink Botanicals

Drink Botanicals is a leading supplier of premium dried garnishes, natural-based syrups, and cocktail ancillaries. With global expansion, they’ve found success in international markets such as the UK and US via Amazon and secured a UAE distribution contract. Committed to excellence, they stand out by delivering only top-quality products. drinkbotanicalsireland.ie

Bushmills Irish Whiskey explores new territory with “unmistakably different” 14-year-old Malaga cask single malt

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Sustainability: A whole new set of reporting with potential to be transformative

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Tools and applications, in common use elsewhere in life, are still not standard in healthcare settings

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Futureproofing the health system requires a new prescription

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Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown – The Black Stuff

The Black Stuff hand craft natural soaps and deodorants 54 products at a time in their Dublin workshop. Starting in the founders kitchen, they now have a team of 10 making 10,000 soaps a week. With 15,000 five-star reviews it is one of the most highly rated men’s care businesses on the planet. theblackstuff.com

Fingal – PRM Assist

PRM Assist is a global leader in innovative passenger with reduced mobility (PRM) services within airport environments. Their solutions include PRM Connect, a groundbreaking API for seamless accessibility bookings; PRM Assist Portal, offering comprehensive data analytics for efficient operations; and a user-friendly mobile app empowering passengers to request assistance and engage with airports. While focusing primarily on the UK and Ireland, they have expanded into the Middle East and plan to reach the US, Canada, and beyond. prmassist.com

South Dublin – Smart Studio

Smart Studio design, manufacture and install audio studios which are used in the music, film, post-production, gaming and animation industries. They have developed a modular-based technique which allows for a rapid and simplified installation, and studios are used by clients who require critical audio facilities operating to the highest international studio standards. smartstudioinc.com

Clare – One-Use Harm Reduction Products

One-Use Harm Reduction Products develops and provides products to drug addiction services around the world that reduce the risks of contracting bacterial and viral infections among people suffering from addiction. These products are sold in over ten countries around the world. one-use.com

Kerry – Valentia Island Vermouth

Valentia Island Vermouth is the first Irish vermouth, it is a handcrafted, artisan premium multi-award winning vermouth, supplying Michelin star restaurants, premium cocktail bars and restaurants and five-star hotels across Ireland. It is available in good independent retailers and select multiples. The Company is exporting to the US this year having secured accounts in DC and New York City. valentiaislandvermouth.ie

Limerick – Monarú

Monarú is a design and production company based in Limerick City. They use a combination of digital fabrication and traditional craft to design and produce all of their projects. They specialise in contemporary plywood furniture, but also develop 3D sculptures, props and sets for the film and TV industry. monaru.ie

Tipperary – Nutshed

Founded by sisters Evie and Eliza Ward, Nutshed specialises in award-winning craft peanut butters and plant-based treats. Starting as a market stall, it now thrives internationally, with exports as far as South Korea, and is known for pioneering flavoured peanut butters in lreland. Available in over 600 stores nationwide, their dedication to quality and innovation continues to drive their success. nutshed.ie

Kildare – Dreamdev Technologies

Dreamdev is a modern, innovative, technology-first business partner, specialising in the application of modern software engineering practices to drive business transformation for their clients. Dreamdev’s flagship product, dot-star, empowers software engineering teams to deliver exceptional results with significantly reduced resource requirements. dreamdev.io

Laois – Dunmasc Genetics

Founded in 2014 by Laois native Stephen Dowling, Dunmasc Genetics has established itself as a leader in the training, sales, and service of bovine genetic products in Ireland and internationally. The company has an ambitious growth plan which will see an expansion of its overseas market which currently includes the Netherlands, Latvia, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Kazakhstan, China, Vietnam, and Malaysia. dunmascgenetics.ie

Offaly – Network and Infrastructure Support (NIS)

NIS is a leading nationwide supplier of IT Products and services. With a diverse customer base including SMEs, Government departments and commercial businesses, NIS offers customers the highest standards in IT Support and deployment services encompassing all aspects of IT equipment, hardware, software, cloud products, wifi /network installations, and upgrades. nis.ie

Westmeath – Watt Footprint

Watt Footprint is leading a revolution in the energy sector with its advanced proprietary software and state of-the-art technology platform. Incorporating AI and machine learning with the advanced integration of meter data, coupled with the automation of bill reading and interpretation, Watt Footprint enables businesses to regain control over their energy usage and cost. This breakthrough solution offers the unparalleled convenience of having a fully fledged remote energy management team’s expertise accessible at their fingertips, setting a new standard for energy efficiency and cost management in the business world. wattfootprint.com

Cork City – Rebel City Distillery

Rebel City Distillery, established in June 2020, stands as Cork’s inaugural distillery in 50 years. Located within a refurbished Ford factory that had lain dormant since 1984, their award-winning sustainable distillery and visitor centre embody the essence of Cork’s maritime legacy. Influenced by this heritage, their spirits are crafted with a global perspective, offering a distinct and captivating range celebrated internationally. rebelcitydistillery.com

Cork North & West – Wildberry Bakery

Wildberry Bakery is a gluten-free bakery based in west Cork. Their ethos is to create cakes which are bursting with flavour through the combination of high-quality ingredients and time-honoured baking practices. Wildberry Bakery currently supply the 32 counties through their partnership with food service distributors and Dunnes Stores Simply Better. wildberrybakery.com

South Cork – The Feed Ducks Initiative

The Feed Ducks Initiative is an international environmental initiative that partners with government authorities to make duck feeding in public parks more sustainable. They bring their solar powered, contactless, duck food dispensers free of charge to parks for communities to use instead of feeding environmentally damaging alternatives such as bread. feedducks.com

Waterford – Expat Taxes

Expat Taxes is a boutique Irish tax practice that simplifies taxes for people moving to or from Ireland. As chartered tax advisers and chartered accountants with over 15 years experience they are experts in expatriate tax. expattaxes.ie