Speaking of their win, Conor Buckley, CEO of Granite said ‘We are delighted to win this accolade, as it is a clear indication of our expertise in this fast growing industry, our plans are to continue growing the business over the next 3 years. We aim to be the largest online marketing company outside of Dublin and one of the top 5 in the country. We would also like to have 40% or more of our revenues from export markets. At our current growth rate this is very achievable. Looking further out than that we would look to break into the European and US markets. We currently have an Austrian working with us part time and we have worked with very good German and Spanish candidates on internships. We have lots of experience working in the US market and have a lot of contacts on the eastern seaboard. We will form the foundations for this push into the European and US markets over the next 3 years while growing our client base in the UK’
Speaking of the Awards, Michael Hanley, CEO of West Cork Enterprise Board said ‘The creation and maintenance of jobs is a top priority for the West Cork Enterprise Board. Through the provision of business advice, information, mentoring, training and financial assistance we aim to assist start ups, business development and job creation in West Cork. Granite is a good example of the Smart economy. Using their specialist skills in online marketing, SEO and languages, they identified a business opportunity, combined their efforts and cost effectively developed this business from nothing to presently 8 employees. They have managed to successfully create and develop a business in the current recessionary times. The Enterprise Board is delighted to assist and to work with such ambitious, professional and focussed individuals.’
The Overall Winner, Start-up Winner and Export Business Winner will be selected by Judges on November 11th 2010 in a ceremony in Dublin. Each year, the County & City Enterprise Boards across Ireland stage the National Enterprise Awards competition to recognise the entrepreneurial talent of micro-enterprise owners.
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National Enterprise Board Awards
These annual awards, organised by the 35 County & City Enterprise Boards, celebrate the activities of micro-enterprises (businesses with less 10 employees) across Ireland.
Previous winners have included Simtech Aviation from Fingal in Co Dublin, Crannagh & Co International Trade and Business Services, from Belturbet in Co Cavan; Irish Yoghurts from West Cork, Castle Leslie from Monaghan, Hot Irishman Irish Coffee from Carlow and Grouse Lodge Recording Studios from Westmeath.
“Over 90pc of all businesses in the country are micro-enterprises with many ‘small business heroes’ setting up new businesses or navigating existing businesses through the economic storm. The National Enterprise Awards are designed to highlight innovation success, job creation, new export markets and local economic development, by putting the achievements of small businesses into the national spotlight,” said Christine Charlton from the County and City Enterprise Boards.
The Final of the County & City National Enterprise Awards, a black tie event, will be held in the Shelbourne Hotel, St. Stephens Green on Thursday November 11th 2010.