Carlow’s selected its representative for the National Enterprise Awards.
Eskimo Software, an innovative business trading internationally and developing software solutions for the motor industry came out tops at The Woodford Dolmen Hotel yesterday at an event organised by the County Council’s Local Enterprise Office.
As 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the Local Enterprise Office, this year’s awards event also saw a number of other awards given in recognition of businesses who have grown in partnership with the Local Enterprise Office over the past decade and these were:
- Borris House Festival of Writing & Ideas (Festival & Event Award)
- CGL Retail Solutions (Lean For Business Award)
- Ballybar Ireland (Best StartUp/Newcomer Award)
- Mount Brandon Cottages (Green For Business Award)
- Cullen Nurseries (E-Commerce Award)
- MMPS Carpentry Ltd (Digital Award)
All were presented with their awards by Cllr. Andrea Dalton, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council who said “The National Enterprise Awards celebrate the dedication, creativity, and perseverance of both individuals and companies that have made notable impacts on the local economy and are actively fostering economic expansion within our county and nationwide.”
Eskimo Software, which is based in Carlow Town, will now represent Carlow against representatives of the other 30 Local Enterprise Offices at the National Enterprise Awards, which will be held in Dublin’s Mansion House in May. Eskimo Software develops software solutions for motor dealers all over the world. They have developed an innovative customer management platform which allows motor dealers to manage lead generation, sales management and showroom tracking in a single cloud-based solution. The business has greatly expanded its international profile in recent years and now has a client base stretching from Ireland to the Middle East to Australia. The business is led by Conor Moran who has an extensive background in software development.
Conor Moran from Eskimo Software outlined the history of his business and outlined their growth since being formed in 2017. He acknowledged the trust customers in Carlow placed in his business when he started and said that this local support has allowed Eskimo Software to grow into a business with a global business. He thanked his team of employees who are responsible for the success of Eskimo and also outlined the role supports from the Local Enterprise Office has played in his business’s development.
Speaking about the supports offered to the business community by Carlow County Council, Cathaoirelach Cllr Dalton said “The Local Enterprise Office, in Carlow County Council, plays a crucial role in aiding our local businesses. We are committed to ensuring that our SMEs make full use of the diverse range of supports offered by the LEO. “Cllr. Dalton continued to say “Carlow County Council is dedicated to fostering a dynamic business ecosystem that nurtures startups, fosters growth, and promotes local job opportunities through our enterprise and economic development endeavours.”
Awards’ organiser for the County Final, Séamus Doran, Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office added “The National Enterprise Awards are the leading forum for recognising the success of small businesses in Ireland and we are delighted with the level of interest in this year’s awards. The National Enterprise Awards offer a huge opportunity to any ambitious business to place themselves in the spotlight and to showcase what they have to offer to a national audience. We are particularly proud to see Eskimo Software, a business of exceptional calibre and ambition, representing Carlow in the national final. The richness of small businesses in Carlow was strikingly evident through the array of category award winners today, as well as the outstanding businesses shortlisted, though not securing an award this time. Undoubtedly, some of them will represent Carlow in future editions of the National Enterprise Awards.”
