Tipperary duo take the title at the Foróige NFTE ‘Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards’

'Stick It' by Annamai Condon (16) and Clodagh Desmond (16), from Loreto Secondary School, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary were announced as the overall winner of the Foróige NFTE ‘Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2024’ at a ceremony held at Richmond Barracks, Dublin today.

Young people from across the country attended the awards ceremony at Richmond Barracks highlighting business and ideas. Over 80 young people from many different counties represented where they were from. 

The Clonmel duo presented 'Stick It' which is a low cost device that can latch onto scholbags or sports gear bags or bikes and it makes it possible to transport hockey sticks or hurleys with ease. 

This makes it accessible for school children cycling to school to bring their hurleys or rackets and it also means that it is safer for children ensuing that 'Stick it' is highly innovative and practical. Adults will obviously get great use from it too. 

Annamai Condon (16) from Stick It commented on the monumental win saying, “We are absolutely delighted, the other businesses in the category were brilliant, we’re shocked to have won! 

“We want to thank the judges and everyone who supported us along the way. The whole experience has been great and we’re so excited to head to Berlin later this year to represent our county and Ireland at the ‘European Youth Entrepreneur Awards’.

Speaking at the event Odhrán O’Mahony, Chairperson of Foróige, said; “We know from research, and from countless testimonials from teachers, parents, youth workers and most importantly from young people themselves, that the skills, confidence and experience they gain from being involved in NFTE is often life changing.

“It lights a spark that changes the way young people think about themselves and their own capability that is quite remarkable. It's a spark that, once lit, burns continuously through their lifetime so that they can do more, be more and achieve more."

The Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme (NFTE) is managed and provided by Foróige in Ireland and is affiliated to NFTE International. The NFTE programme originated in the USA and has been a part of Irish life for two decades now. 

Stick It won the title after getting through many hurdles along the way, competing against thousands of other young entrepreneurs from all over Ireland. It finished as winner after 186 local competitions, which took place across the country. Congrats to those involved. 

Picture Conor McCabe Photography.