Six student-powered ‘companies’ from schools across Northern Ireland have reached the final stage in this year’s Young Enterprise NI awards – YEA25 – and will be hoping their business idea and entrepreneurial approach will make the cut in a major award ceremony at Belfast City Hall.
Among them is the Royal School, Armagh who created ‘Circle of Seasons’, a business focused on creating sustainable, seasonal wreaths tailored for year-round use, made from upcycled materials.
The idea was formed after spotting a gap in the floristry market for versatile wreaths that can be adapted for all seasons.
They will join Bangor Academy & Sixth Form College, Omagh Academy, Larne High School, Dominican College, Portstewart, and Strathearn School, Belfast whose teams were selected after pitching their business idea to an esteemed panel of judges and in front of an audience at Invest NI’s Belfast head office earlier this month.
Future-focused, innovative and creative, Northern Ireland’s newest generation of entrepreneurs won over the panel with their passion for business, sustainability, branding, marketing, sales and growth before earning a place at this year’s top table. The overall winner, securing the Young Enterprise NI Company of the Year 2025 award, will be announced at the ceremony in May.
The winning company will also go forward to represent Northern Ireland at the Young Enterprise UK Company Final Awards, providing the chance to secure their place on the Young Enterprise European Company of the Year final in Athens later this year.
Northern Ireland’s leading enterprise education charity, Young Enterprise NI is dedicated to inspiring and educating local young people about the world of business and entrepreneurship. Supported by many of the biggest names in the region’s business community, by providing fun, practical business experiences, the organisation empowers young people to develop critical skills such as teamwork, leadership and financial literacy. The annual awards are a key part of its work.
Young Enterprise NI chief executive, Carol Fitzsimons MBE, said: “We’re absolutely delighted by the huge response to this year’s awards, with record participation and a wide and impressive range of ideas that demonstrated real passion for business, innovation and sustainability.
“The development of our entrepreneurial talent is critical to our economic growth and success, and this important awards programme plays a vital part in encouraging and nurturing our newest and brightest business minds. We are extremely grateful for the support of many of Northern Ireland’s leading businesses for supporting us to make this happen. Congratulations to everyone who took part and to all our finalists this year.”
This year’s judging panel included Young Enterprise alumni Adam Ewart, founder and chief executive of local award-winning baggage shipping company Send My Bag, Invest NI executive director Iain Joannides and Vera McWilliams, representing the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade. Bank of Ireland senior manager Eighrean Horner, Jonathan Williamson, chief operation officer for EY Northern Ireland and Radius Housing chief executive John McLean OBE were also represented on this year’s stellar panel.
Welcoming this year’s shortlist, Send My Bag founder and chief executive Adam Ewart, said: “The sheer quality and number of entries shows that the appetite for entrepreneurship is alive and well among our younger generations. They’re ambitious and on the hunt for success – it’s great to see.
“However, they need support, which is why Young Enterprise NI works hard to ensure we can nurture and foster that early interest – encouraging them on the journey to success through challenges and opportunity, and helping to provide the connections they need.
“I’m delighted that Send My Bag, as Young Enterprise Lead Partner, can share our knowledge and support in helping them take their ideas to the next level.”
Jonathan Williamson, chief operations officer for EY Northern Ireland, which is sponsoring the awards, said: “EY is proud to support, advise and celebrate entrepreneurs at every step of their journey and that’s why we are so pleased to be involved in this year’s programme. We know that the Young Enterprise NI 2025 awards are a launch pad for so many future entrepreneurs and it is clear from this year’s finalists that they not only have great ideas, but also the drive to make them a reality.
“Entrepreneurship is — and has always been — the heartbeat of a thriving global economy and we’re excited by what this year’s amazing intake can do.”
Pauline Wylie, communications manager at A&O Shearman Belfast, which is also sponsoring the 2025 awards, said: “As a responsible business, we are committed to demonstrating our support and to helping make a difference to the lives of our young people. The Young Enterprise NI awards programme represents an unrivalled and unique opportunity for our young people to showcase their entrepreneurial talent and develop skills that are essential throughout their working lives, with the support and backing from an incredible team of people who are committed to their future success.”
Last year, students from Friends’ School Lisburn won Company of the Year with their company, Bottle Up, which tackled plastic waste by creating handmade flowers from used plastic bottles.
Young Enterprise NI receives no public funding and relies on local businesses and a range of stakeholders for support. Organisations which have pledged support, joining its ‘Business Backers’ programme include Danske Bank, Bank of Ireland, A&O Shearman, Finnebrogue, Henderson Group, Dale Farm, Musgrave, Kilwaughter and Lynas Foods.
Young Enterprise NI is also grateful for the support of Belfast City Council for making available the stunning Great Hall for these prestigious awards.
For information on Young Enterprise NI and how you can help its vital work, visit www.yeni.co.uk.
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