THE clever and unique will always prevail and that was the case for Limerick company, @wellnicepops Wellnice Pops, who took home a silver award in the Food and Drink category of the Bank of Ireland Business Start-up awards.
Established in 2012, the Startup Awards recognise innovative, successful and aspirational Irish startup companies who have launched their businesses in the last three years.
BJ and Trin, the founders of Wellnicepops, produce 100 per cent cold pressed fruit and vegetable flavored ice pops which are low in Kcals, high in nutrients but above all packed full of taste and flavour.
The business partners and friends have been blazing a trail from their county Limerick base as well as being recognised amongst the business community for their unique company and product.
This year, awards were presented to deserving winners across 12 categories including tech, retail, product and innovation with gold, silver and bronze winners being awarded in each category.
Pictured at the final of the 2016 Startup Awards are Stephen Dillion, Startups.ie, with Trina O’Brien and BJ Brodrick from Wellnice Pops and Ingrid Halpin, Enterprise Programme Manager, Bank of Ireland
Commenting on the Awards, Stephen Dillon, Founder of Startups.ie said “Starting a business takes extreme resilience and determination particularly in the early years. With startups in Ireland accounting for 66% of all new jobs created last year, these companies are an important part of the growth of our economy and they deserve to be recognised, particularly in the early stages of development.
“It is our sincere hope that all of the entrants have enjoyed the experience and benefited from their involvement in the Startup Awards. I would like to thank Bank of Ireland and all our sponsors for their continued support. The competition was very tough this year so a huge congratulations to all our finalists and winners.”
David Merriman, Head of Enterprise Development at Bank of Ireland said “This is the third year of the Bank of Ireland Startup Awards and we are thrilled to be partnering with Startups.ie on such an exciting initiative. As Ireland’s leading Bank for business we are committed to supporting new and emerging entrepreneurs as they grow and develop their business and we have been incredibly impressed by the innovative, highly motivated individuals and groups that have come through this competition. In addition to recognising the immense contribution that Ireland’s innovators and entrepreneurs make to the economy, the Startup Awards provide a platform to promote these young companies on a national stage. On behalf of Bank of Ireland, I commend everyone who has participated and congratulate all of our winners and runners up. I have no doubt we will see some exciting progress as these companies continue to evolve.”
For more information on the awards visit www.startupawards.ie or the Bank of Ireland Twitter account @BOIbusiness using the dedicated hastag #boistartupawards.
