15th May 2025

Young Entrepreneurs Celebrated at Croke Park for NFTE Youth Entrepreneur Awards 2025

Kilkenny students take top prize with natural beauty brand ‘Bee Lush’ as young innovators from across Ireland are celebrated

Over 120 young people from across the country gathered in Croke Park on May 14th to take part in the Foróige NFTE Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2025, a national showcase of creativity, enterprise and purpose-led business.

The event highlighted the very best of Ireland’s young entrepreneurs, all of whom took part in the NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) programme—a Foróige initiative that empowers young people to develop a business from the ground up through hands-on learning, mentorship and real-world experience.

This year’s Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Eva-Marie Whelan and Katie Hobson-Shaw from Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny for their natural beauty business, Bee Lush. Inspired by a family beekeeping legacy, Bee Lush creates nourishing lip oils, lash serums and skincare scrubs using Irish honey.

Being part of NFTE gave us the confidence to believe in our ideas and actually bring them to life, We’ve learned so much and met so many inspiring people. We’re so proud and excited for what comes next.
Katie.

The awards also recognised young people making waves in innovation and social impact.

The Best Innovation Award went to Carla Mc Donnell from St Louis Secondary School, Dundalk, Co. Louth for her business Vax Chill—a cooling solution for livestock vaccines designed to reduce waste and support safer, more efficient farming practices.

The Best Social Enterprise Award was awarded to Andrew Ardeleanu and Jason Heraty from Foróige Connect, Castlebar, Co. Mayo for Sensory Nature Crafts, a calming craft kit business inspired by nature and wellbeing, created to support young people’s mental health and sensory development.

“Year after year, NFTE proves just how powerful youth potential really is,” said Odhrán O’Mahony, Chairperson of Foróige. “These young people aren’t just developing businesses—they’re developing belief in themselves, and that changes everything.”

Celebrating Enterprise with Purpose from all corners of Ireland

Finalists represented 12 counties across Ireland, with businesses ranging from bilingual card games and upcycled homeware to social enterprises supporting mental health, sustainability and inclusion.

Best Business Finalists

• Bee Lush – Eva-Marie Whelan & Katie Hobson-Shaw Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny. Natural lip and lash products using honey from a family apiary – bringing nature and self-care together.
• Bróga Ferrous – Alex Skeffington, Padraig Rowley & Luke Doherty Scoil Muire agus Pádraig, Swinford, Co. Mayo. Crochet bookmarks, toys and gifts – a colourful business full of personality and purpose.
• Cárta Nóirín – Eleanor Hamilton, Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co. Cork – A bilingual card game that makes learning Irish fun and full of grá.
• Celtic Glassware – Lisa O’Sullivan, Chloe Daly & Nadia Ustjanowska, Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí, Bantry, Co. Cork. Upcycled glass bottles transformed into elegant, eco-friendly homeware.
• Katie’s Krafts – Caitlin McCauley, Loreto Community School, Milford, Co. Donegal. Needle-felting kits that spark calm, creativity and mindfulness.
• Knot Ur Average Craft – Jack Packer, Coláiste Iascaigh, Easkey, Co. Sligo. Handcrafted good-luck gifts made from reclaimed horseshoes, rooted in rural heritage.
• SEA Tan Gone – Kinga Tobianaka, Paulina Varuyeva & Caitlin McMahon, Desmond College, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. A natural, effective tan remover developed from real experience to boost skin confidence.
• Wooden It Be Nice – Finn Gannon, Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath. Beautiful, handcrafted wooden décor and gifts made sustainably with care.

Best Innovation Finalists

• Acne Armour – Emily McGrath, Katie Tobin & Kayla Frazer, Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. A skincare product targeting teenage acne using natural, skin-friendly ingredients.
• Cab Craft – Eamon Schultz, Javier Siquier, Dominik Placzek & Joseph Murnane, Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí, Bantry, Co. Cork. Creative wooden toy kits promoting engineering and design skills in young children.
• EireKa! – Deborah Diaz, Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. A patriotic merch brand encouraging Irish pride through fashion and accessories.
• Independent Living Planner – Deborah Tiernan, Enya Killalea-Kelly & Hannah Pikul, Mercy College, Sligo Town, Co. Sligo. A practical tool for people with additional needs to help plan their daily lives independently.
• Neuro Positive – Katie Haran, Maya Knipe & Ella Cullen, Scoil Mhuire / St. Clare’s Comprehensive, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim. A brand raising awareness around neurodiversity through stylish clothing and positive messaging.
• Pawfect Peace – Lee Hands, Alex Delaney, Ian Aficial, Leah Grimes & Chloe Corrigan, Grange Community College, Dublin 13. A pet wellness kit to help anxious animals and educate their owners on care techniques.
• Scribblings – Grace Mariya Jim, Errigal College, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. A stationery business that blends creative expression with mindfulness and motivation.
• Vax Chill – Carla Mc Donnell, St Louis Secondary School, Dundalk, Co. Louth. A cooling device for livestock vaccines designed by a young farmer to reduce waste.

 Best Social Enterprise Finalists

• Blue Star Accessibility Ratings – Oisín Harrold, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. A youth-led service evaluating and promoting accessibility in public spaces.
• Bounce Back Recovery – Mathilde Beubry & Amy Bergin, Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny. A support-focused business helping teens cope with setbacks through positive tools and advice.
• Donegal Discount Card – Bradley Boyle & Cormac Crosson, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. A community loyalty card offering savings while promoting local businesses.
• Glimmer – Isabelle Daly, Maria Eduarda, Pamela Kabanda & Lola Adekunie, Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant, Co. Cork. Jewellery made by women from minority backgrounds, empowering self-expression and economic inclusion.
• Gúna Gals – Muireann Ní Shuilleabháin, Ellie Ní Cnámhsí, Dáithi Ó Luagh & Ruben Ó Dochartaigh, Rosses Community School, Dungloe, Co. Donegal. A dress rental business reducing fashion waste while encouraging confidence and affordability.
• Rags to Wags – Hannah Byrne, Isabell Fallon & Erin Kelly, St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne, Co. Meath. Eco-friendly pet accessories made from upcycled fabrics, combining sustainability and style.
• Sensory Nature Crafts – Andrew Ardeleanu & Jason Heraty, Foróige Connect, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Nature-inspired craft kits designed to support young people’s mental health and sensory wellbeing.
• Whiskers and Wisdom – Gaia Frances Linehan & Lucy Daunt, St. Patrick’s College, Cork City. Pet care bundles paired with activity booklets for older people—connecting generations through animal companionship.

About the NFTE Programme

The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is an internationally recognised youth entrepreneurship programme run by Foróige in schools and communities across Ireland. Aimed at young people experiencing disadvantage, NFTE gives participants the tools to unlock their creativity, develop a business, and build life-changing skills in confidence, teamwork and problem-solving.

The programme is made possible through the valued support of Rethink Ireland, PayPal, Dormant Accounts Funding through the Department of Education and Youth, basis.point, and the Department of Rural and Community Development