A County Meath business is set to compete against some of Ireland’s most innovative small enterprises at the National Enterprise Awards next week.
RYSE Chocolate has been selected to represent Local Enterprise Office Meath at the prestigious awards, which take place on Thursday, 18 June, in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin.
Developed by brothers-in-law, Ian O’Rourke and David Stone, RYSE Chocolate is an Irish caffeinated chocolate energy bar, designed to combine real chocolate with a smooth, long‑lasting caffeine boost.
Each bar contains 80 mg of steady‑release caffeine along with vitamins B6 and B12, offering energy and focus without the crash typical of fast-release alternatives, all made without artificial additives or E‑numbers.
RYSE, which have three flavours available, milk chocolate, mint chocolate and orange chocolate, releases caffeine more slowly into the bloodstream than energy drinks, which can cause a spike and then crash in energy.
RYSE Chocolate will join finalists from across the country as they compete for national honours at one of Ireland’s leading small business awards events.
Co-founder Ian O’Rourke said: “We are delighted to be representing Meath at these awards. What started as a brainwave 3.5 years ago is now becoming a really exciting and groundbreaking business. Our entire mission is to do energy differently, and this carries through our entire business from our bars to our marketing. This has definitely resonated with consumers. The continued support we have received from the Meath LEO has been brilliant and really makes us proud to be representing the Royal County at these awards.”
This is the 26th year of the Local Enterprise Office initiative, which was won last year by health tech business, SPRYT, supported by Local Enterprise Office Monaghan.
This year, there is a wide variety of finalists competing for the title of National Enterprise of the Year.
Peter Burke, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said at the announcement: “The National Enterprise Awards provide us with an opportunity to celebrate the very best of Irish entrepreneurship. Looking through the list of finalists for this year, you can see a significant variety of sectors and business ideas, from Health and Beauty to AgTech, from Software to Food and Drink.
“Every one of these finalists have the potential to scale, create jobs in their communities and make a significant impact internationally. These awards shine a light on the amazing businesses that are starting and growing across the country year on year, and we should be extremely proud of the level of founders that Ireland is producing.
The Finalists compete for a total prize fund of €80,000 and along with an overall National Enterprise of the Year winner there are categories for Best Start-Up, Best Export Business, an Innovation Award, a Digital Award, a Green Award and a Female Entrepreneur award.
There will also be an Outstanding Achievement Award presented on the night to an Irish business who started with the support of their Local Enterprise Office and has gone on to achieve international success.
The National Enterprise Awards are one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 80,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice, and financial supports to small businesses.
For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie
