Photo: MCC – Kieran Comerford, Head of Local Enterprise Office Network, Minister Peter Burke, Ian O’Rourke, David Stone co-founders RYSE Chocolate, Lorna Cooney, Dan Hamilton, LEO Meath
Congratulations are in order for County Meath company RYSE Chocolate, which has been named Best Start-Up at this year’s National Enterprise Awards.
Supported by Local Enterprise Office Meath, the company took home the national title at the awards ceremony held in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin.
Founded by brothers-in-law Ian O’Rourke and David Stone, RYSE Chocolate has developed Europe’s first caffeinated chocolate bar and is now preparing to expand into the UK and US markets.
RYSE is a functional chocolate energy bar, with each 26g bar containing 80mg of caffeine, comparable to a can of an energy drink, along with 15% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamins B6 and B12.
The range is currently available in three flavours, milk chocolate, mint chocolate and orange chocolate, all in a convenient on-the-go format.
The bars are designed for use before exercise, during busy workdays or whenever a sustained energy boost is needed.
Director of Economic Development in Meath County Council, Majella Farrell, said:
“this award is yet another endorsement of calibre and innovativeness of small businesses within the county. “We are delighted to see such an early-stage company scale so quickly and gain real market traction in this fast-moving consumer goods space. They are a great example to other start-ups, and we wish them well on their journey to become a globally recognised brand.”
Co-founder of RYSE Chocolate, Ian O’Rourke, said: “We are delighted to be representing Meath at these awards. What started as a brainwave three and a half 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 and 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.”
The overall winner at the National Enterprise Awards was Sugar Plum Sweetery who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Westmeath. The self styled “Irish Willy Wonka” business set up by Denise Buckley and David Quirke established the destination sweet and chocolate store in 2022 but it’s been their ability to monetise trends that saw them increase revenue from 2024 to 2025 by 815%. With two spectacular stores in Mullingar and Kildare Village they plan expansion across Ireland and the UK in the next 18 months to complement their online business and their spot as the top Irish retailer on the TikTok Shop.
Announcing the award winners at the Mansion House, Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said; “The National Enterprise Awards are the highlight of the small business and enterprise calendar, with a growing diversity of businesses and an increasingly high standard among the companies progressing through the process year on year. We have some exceptional winners, but the finalists overall have been outstanding, reflecting the remarkable quality of small businesses right across the country.
Several other businesses were recognised across a range of categories at the National Enterprise Awards, which are organised annually by the Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate the innovation, success, and contribution of small businesses throughout Ireland.
The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice, and financial support to small businesses.
For more information: https://www.localenterprise.ie
