Genesis 2007 Showcase & Awards Ceremony

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, T.D., presented the End of Year Awards for the entrepreneurs of 12 new and innovative companies in the South West region, who completed the 2006/7 Genesis Enterprise Programme, at Cork Institute of Technology on Monday 2nd April 2007.

The Genesis Enterprise Programme is a Cork and Kerry based programme, funded by the Department of Education & Science, aimed at nurturing start-up businesses in the region.The Programme provides entrepreneurs with funding, training, mentoring and office facilities and is administered by Cork Institute of Technology, together with IT Tralee, University College Cork, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Cork BIC, the regional Enterprise Boards, and Enterprise Ireland. Each year the achievements of the participating businesses are celebrated with an End of Year Awards ceremony, where businesses that have made the most progress, are recognised.

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Michael Cotter, Director of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, Chris Hannon, Marwin; and Emer Cassidy, AIB College Branches Manager

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The winner of Genesis Emerging Business of the Year and a cheque for €3,000 was Marwin Environmental Trading and its founder, Chris Hannon. Based at the Rubicon Centre on Cork Institute of Technology's Bishopstown campus, Marwin Environmental Trading exports Paper and Plastic based recyclable materials to global markets. Within one year of its formation, Marwin Environmental Trading Ltd. has become the leading Irish based exporter of recyclable materials.

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Michael Cotter, Director of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young and John O'Donoghue, Enbio; Business Plan of the Year and €1,500 went to Dan Philpott, CEO of Enbio Ltd, a company whose patent pending technology platform for medical device manufacturers will benefit implant patients by reducing trauma and recovery time following a surgical procedure, while enhancing the long term viability of the implant itself.

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Michael Cotter, Director of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young with Anthony Grant and Conor O'Farrell of Arraysense The award for Business Development Achievement and €1,500 went to Anthony Grant & Conor O'Farrell of Arraysense also based at the Rubicon Centre. Arraysense is developing novel instrument solutions for the delivery of point of care tests that will improve human health and well-being. The founders of Arraysense are three research scientists from Cork Institute of Technology with more than 55 years experience in the design and development of instrument systems.

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Michael Cotter, Director of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young with Eamon Honan and John Honan of Payback Software The award for Market Entry Success and €1,500 went to Payback Software and founders Eamon Honan and John Honan. Based in Listowel, Co. Kerry, Payback Software produces Payback Payroll, the fastest growing, easy to use payroll software for Irish companies.

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Michael Cotter, Director of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young with Theo Dorman Kade of gTelligence A cheque for €1,500 for Opportunity Investigation went to gTelligence's Theo Dorman Kade. gTelligence, is an engineering firm specialising in the gas sector.

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Michael Cotter, Director of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young with Tomás Finnernan and Kristian O'Donovan of Flúirse Taking the prize of €500 for Best Stand was Tomás Finnernan and Kristian O'Donovan of Tralee based, Flúirse, an educational media developer.

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The Awards are sponsored by Allied Irish Banks; Ernst & Young; Enterprise Ireland; the Cork and Kerry County & City Enterprise Boards; and Cork Institute of Technology.

Emer Cassidy, AIB College Branches Manager, said:

"This is AIB�s fifth year of involvement with the Genesis Enterprise programme and during that time we have seen the quality of the outputs go from strength to strength. AIB has a deep-rooted history in supporting business owners and entrepreneurs. By supporting such initiatives such as Genesis and indeed through financing the creation of and development of businesses, AIB is now the bank more businesses choose.
AIB is delighted to support Genesis and wishes all the 2007 participants every success with their ventures."

Ernst & Young too is pleased to be associated with the awards. According to Michael Cotter, Director of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young,

"Celebrating entrepreneurs and the businesses they build and grow has been a priority for Ernst & Young for more than two decades, and we are proud to continue this distinguished tradition through sponsorship of the Genesis Enterprise Programme Awards. These Awards recognise the determination, energy, vision and innovative qualities of this year's participants.
It is clear from the outstanding quality of the entrants into the programme this year that Cork and Kerry has a thriving and growing entrepreneurial spirit. We should consider ourselves very fortunate that we have such people helping to ensure the region remains competitive for years to come."