Out of over 25,000 entrants, 82 Finalists will compete across three categories on Friday, May 5 in Croke Park.

Wicklow is proud to have three fantastic enterprises representing the County at Nationals this year.

The Senior Finalist is TR Technologies, from Glenart College, who make personalised crafts using a 3D printer.

The Intermediate Finalist is Kelly’s Cookies from Arklow Community College, with their baked treats.

Finally, the Junior Finalist is The Crafty Pair from Avondale Community College, who create seasonal, personalised decorations with multiple purposes.

These three outstanding businesses have proved their mettle by winning their respective categories at the Wicklow County Final last month. Now they are gearing up to compete at national level. The Student Enterprise Programme has been a fantastic platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas, and the Wicklow representatives are excited to showcase their businesses at the Final.

Cathoirleach of Wicklow County Council Tommy Annesley said “The standard of this year’s programme was extremely high, with a wide variety of innovative business ideas.

WI would like to wish our three county winners the very best of luck in the National Final. This programme gives all of the participating students the experience of creating their own business and will hopefully shape the landscape of Wicklow SMEs in the future.”

Michael Nevin, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices’ Enterprise Education Committee, said; “There is another fantastic selection of Finalists for this year’s programme. Across all three categories we are seeing some really innovative thinking and an ambition to solve societal and environmental issues through entrepreneurship, which is really heartening for the future.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them all at the Finals in Croke Park and for those that didn’t make the finals this year they will have learned some invaluable skills and will hopefully bring that spark of entrepreneurship into later life.”

An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices to encourage entrepreneurship in secondary schools, the Student Enterprise Programme has seen over 350,000 secondary school students take part in the programme since it first began.

Participating students compete across three categories, and each student enterprise is challenged with creating, setting up and running their own business, which must show viable sales of their service or product.

Following the conclusion of county and regional finals, Student Enterprises from across the country will now take part in the Final at Croke Park later in the month.