Fingal Students Shine with Eco-Focused Innovations at the National Student Enterprise Final

Fingal’s young entrepreneurs made a powerful impression at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Final, held on 8th May at the Mullingar Park Hotel. Organised by the Local Enterprise Offices, the competition brought together the top 85 student businesses from over 30,000 participants nationwide - and Fingal’s students truly stood out on this national stage.

Three Fingal based teams represented the county across the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior categories, with two winning Sustainability Awards - a testament to the creativity, innovation, and strong environmental values of the region’s young entrepreneurs.

In the Intermediate category, Ecochew from Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School, Dublin 15, was awarded for their innovative and eco-friendly approach to chewing gum disposal. Students Maida-Fatima Riaz, Angelin Bijoye, and Abi Solai developed a highly practical product that addresses a widespread environmental issue of gum litter. Their success was supported throughout the year by their dedicated and encouraging teacher, Aisling Sammon, whose guidance helped the team bring their idea to life.

In the Senior category, Wild Cards from Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod, won the Sustainability Award for their beautifully designed, handcrafted seed paper greeting cards, made using recycled paper. Their business, created by Emily O'Donnell, Aaliyah Heeze, and Sarah Forbes, highlights how sustainability and creativity can go hand in hand. The team was mentored by their inspiring teacher, Olga Owens, who played a key role in supporting their journey from concept to recognition on the national stage.

Representing Fingal in the Junior category, Rachel and Isla’s Self Care from Loreto Balbriggan Secondary School also impressed with their thoughtful and purpose-driven business. Created by Isla Tanner and Rachel Dore, both first-year students, their project showcased self-care products designed to promote wellbeing. While they did not receive an award on the day, their achievement in reaching the National Final is outstanding, and they did their school – and their county – extremely proud. They were guided and encouraged throughout the year by their dedicated teachers, Paula Gartland and Catherine McCabe.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh expressed his delight at the success of the Fingal participants and award winners: “Congratulations are due to Ecochew, Wild Cards, and Rachel and Isla’s Self Care - along with the teachers and coordinators who supported them. Their success represents not only a significant achievement for Fingal, but also a broader demonstration of what can be accomplished when education, innovation, and sustainability converge. The performance of Fingal’s students this year reaffirms the impact of strong support systems in nurturing innovation and excellence among young people.”

All three teams had previously won the Fingal County Final in March and worked diligently in the lead-up to the national competition. Their accomplishments reflect the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and environmental awareness of Fingal’s next generation.

Speaking at the event, Head of Enterprise at LEO Fingal, Oisín Geoghegan, explained: "It’s hugely important to show young people that entrepreneurship is not only a viable career path, but one filled with purpose and opportunity. The Student Enterprise Programme gives students a hands-on experience of what it means to create and run a business, and in doing so, it helps them develop essential skills - creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience - at an early age. These are skills that will pay dividends for them in whatever path they choose in the future."

The Student Enterprise Programme is a flagship initiative for Local Enterprise Office Fingal and plays a vital role in developing enterprise skills in secondary schools across the county. This year’s programme was expertly delivered by the Student Enterprise Programme Coordinating Team, comprising of Mary Dunne, Maura O'Callaghan, and led by Sharon Rossignuolo on behalf of LEO Fingal.

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive at Fingal County Council, added: “Fingal County Council operates under the guiding principle that natural resources are borrowed from future generations rather than inherited from the past. That guiding principle informs our environmental strategy - and it’s heartening to see these young entrepreneurs already thinking and acting in line with that philosophy, creating businesses that balance innovation with impact.”

Since its inception in 2003, the Student Enterprise Programme has involved over 450,000 secondary school students across Ireland, challenging them to develop real-world business ideas and bring them to life.