Student portal bags top Shell LiveWIRE award

Young people who have unlocked their own potential and set up in business were celebrated at last night’s Shell LiveWIRE Young Business Start Up Awards in Belfast Castle.

The main award of the evening went to Declan Treacy who launched his www.studentalive.com on-line information and entertainment guide for student’s last year.

Declan, who was chosen from 86 other nominations, received a cheque for £2000, a £1000 Shell Fuel credit and the use of a Toyota car for a year for his enterprising and successful web portal.

Sir Reg Empey, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment who was on hand to present the awards said: “These young people are demonstrating the entrepreneurial ability that is critical to the success of a small regional economy like Northern Ireland.

“We need more livewire entrepreneurs like tonight’s achievers to generate the new business starts that will ensure a stronger and more competitive economy.

“The LiveWIRE finalists come from a variety of backgrounds and have set up new businesses in a range of sectors including web page design, marketing, human resource consultancy and more traditional businesses including the provision of childcare and florist services.

“This year five of the nine finalists were women, highlighting the fact that women are becoming as much a part of the business community in Northern Ireland as their male counterparts.”

Runners-up prizes were awarded to Monica McGeary, Integrated Marketing Management and David Gillespie, Enhance Systems, while Cookstown Enterprise Agency received the Enterprise Award. Danny Monaghan of Dial-A-Bus gained the Significant Progress Award. In addition to their awards all nine finalists will benefit from a Sustainable Development audit by Arena Networks, part of Business in the Community, which will help them identify the measures needed for continued success and faster growth.

LiveWIRE (NI) Ltd was established in 1989 through a partnership between Shell UK, Northern Ireland Electricity, Project North East, the former LEDU and the International Fund for Ireland. LiveWIRE’s aim is to raise awareness of youth enterprise in Northern Ireland and to assist young people aged 16-30 to explore the option of starting their own business through the provision of advice, support and guidance.

(AMcE)