SFA National Small Business Awards 2023 Finalists announcement

The finalists in the SFA National Business Awards 2023 have been officially announced by Sue O’Neill, Chair of the SFA Awards Judging Panel.  The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry.

“The response to the awards programme is a reminder that Irish small companies are resilient, putting their best foot forward and seeking recognition for their efforts” commented Sue O’Neill.  “As well as our nine award categories, we also feature five of the best Emerging New Businesses (less than two years established) and, given the quality of the businesses represented this year, entrepreneurship is alive and well in Ireland”

“The SFA National Small Business Awards are now entering their 19th consecutive year and are a celebration of small business owners. The 270,000 small firms in Ireland employ nearly half the private sector workforce and these awards aim to portray excellence, achievement and innovation amongst these companies in all sectors and parts of the country” she added.

Speaking at the launch of the awards, Taoiseach, Micheál Martin said: “The SFA National Small Business Awards are as important as ever, as we face the challenges posed by Russia’s immoral invasion of Ukraine. The awards acknowledge innovation, resilience, strength and the importance of the small business sector to the Irish economy and, in particular, to the future of the Irish economy. Small firms have been central to Ireland’s pandemic recovery and the Government will continue to do everything it can to maintain their competitiveness.”

43 companies have been selected as finalists, from 20 different counties, across ten categories.

MANUFACTURING CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)
Sponsored by permanent tsb

• Finnegan’s Farm, Navan, Co Meath
• Harte Outdoor Lighting, New Ross, Co Wexford
• Hygeia Chemicals, Galway
• K & K Windows, Gorey, Co Wexford
• Moffett Automated Storage, Monaghan
• Woodco Renewal Energy, Drishane, Co Tipperary

FOOD & DRINK CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)
Sponsored by Bord Bia

• Blanco Niño, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
• Burren Smokehouse, Liscannor, Co Clare
• Dairyglen Products, Bray, Co  Wicklow
• Finnegan’s Farm, Navan, Co Meath
• Ice Cream Treats, Killeshandra, Co Cavan
• Nolan Butchers of Kilcullen, Co Kildare

SERVICES CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 Employees)
Sponsored by SAGE

• WWS Ireland, Little Island, Cork
• Dairyglen Products, Bray, Co. Wicklow
• Jones International Transport, Ballyboughal ,Co Dublin
• OSENG, Claremorris, Co Mayo
• Rent A Recruiter, Johnstown, Co Kildare
• Stryve, Taylors Lane, Dublin 8

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to five employees)
Sponsored by CISCO

• Babogue, Naas, Co. Kildare
• Dingle Sea Safari, Dingle, Co Kerry
• Irish Socksciety, Galway, Co. Galway
• Nanny Payroll, Carlingford, Co Louth
• Nationwide Safety Training Network,, Dunboyne, Co Meath
• The Agile Executive, Dublin 4

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)
Sponsored by NSAI

• ZEUS Scooters, Bunclody, Co Carlow
• Farmeye, Athlone, Co Westmeath
• Moffett Automated Storage, Monaghan
• ROCTEL, Dublin 1
• Woodco Renewable Energy, Drishane, Co Tipperary

RETAIL CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)
Sponsored by One4all

• JJ Burke Car Sales, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
• McGuirk’s Centra, Blackcastle, Navan, Co Meath
• Nolan Butchers of Kilcullen, Co Kildare
• Sculpted by Aimee, Dundrum, Dublin 14
• The Book Resort, Waterford
• TRNDBTY.COM, Glencullen, Co Carlow

EXPORTER OF THE YEAR CATOGARY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)
Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland

• Bevcraft Group, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
• Blanco Niño, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
• VOYA, Sligo
• ZEUS Scooters, Bunclody, Co Carlow
• Equine MediRecord, Curragh, Co Kildare
• Stryve, Taylor’s Lane, Dublin 8

SUSTAINABILITY CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 59 employees)

Sponsored by Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

• Ballykilcavan Brewing Company, Stradbally, Co Laois
• ZEUS Scooters, Bunclody, Co Carlow
• Stryve, Taylor’s Lane, Dublin 8
• The FACTORY, Birr, Co Offaly
• The Handmade Soap Company, Slane, Co Meath

WORKPLACE WELLBEING CATEGORY FINALISTS (up to 50 employees)
Sponsored by DeCare

• Access Earth, Celbridge, Co Kildare
• Beat 102 -103, Waterford
• OSENG, Claremorris, Co Mayo
• Rent A Recruiter, Johnstown, Co Kildare

EMERGING NEW BUSINESS CATEGORY (up to 50 employees, under 2 years in business)
Sponsored by .IE

• Climeaction, Cobh, Co Cork
• JUSTTIP Technology, Dublin
• ReaDI-Watch, Malahide, Co Dublin
• The Smooth Company, Nova UCD, Dublin 4
• Ecco Spray, Galway

The Awards prize package for ALL finalists includes participation in a strategic management masterclass weekend during January as well as the SFA Business Connect event at the Aviva next February. All benefit from broad-ranging national and local media coverage valued at €50,000.  Finalists also receive five complimentary tickets to the Gala Prize Winning Ceremony to take place in the RDS in March 2023 when category prize winners and the overall winner will be announced.  The Category winners will be presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association for one year.