Solaris crowned ‘Best Start Up Business’ !
Huge Celebrations were in order when we were crowned ‘Best Start Up Business’ at the National Enterprise Awards 2013. It was amazing to be commended on our successes at a National level – and a brilliant night out at Dublin Castle is always a bonus.
The article from Galway Independent: Solaris Botanicals wins national award
Galway-based Solaris Botanicals has won the ‘Best Start Up Business’ award at this year’s National Enterprise Awards, organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards.
The awards celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s micro-enterprise sector and the announcement was made by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton at a black-tie awards ceremony in Dublin Castle last Thursday.
Pictured at the National Enterprise Awards ceremony are Vincent Reynolds, County and City Enterprise Boards, Breda Fox, CEO of Galway County Enterprise Board, and Joerg Muller, Co-Founder of Solaris Botanicals. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Supported by the Galway County and City Enterprise Board, Solaris Botanicals was set up by two medical herbalists in 2008. The company creates organic teas and health-related products for export to mainland Europe, Scandinavia and the United Arab Emirates. Founded by Joerg Muller and Karen Wieland, the company already employs seven people in the city.
Speaking in Dublin Castle, Minister Bruton said that a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is driving entrepreneurship and start-up companies, enabling indigenous businesses to grow and create.
“It is also very important to recognise and celebrate small business success stories and through the National Enterprise Awards, the Enterprise Boards are showcasing the success stories of small business owners from all over the country.”
Solaris Botanicals has been grant-aided by the Galway County and City Enterprise Board, which nominated them for the competition. CEO of the Galway County and City Enterprise Board, Breda Fox, was the first to congratulate the company.
“With this important national award, Solaris Botanicals is already a successful start-up business and with more innovative products in the pipeline, they are great ambassadors for the Ireland’s small business community. I’d like to congratulate Joerg Muller, Karen Wieland and their hard-working team on this winning this national title of ‘Best New Business’ and we look forward to their future successes on the national and international stage.”
Other category awards at the National Enterprise Awards went to Aaron Value Adding Services from Clare, which won the ‘Innovation In Product Development’ award and Chia Bia from County Waterford, which won the ‘Best Export Business’ award. The overall winner was DesignPro Ltd. from Newcastle West in Co. Limerick.
Each of the Category Award winners received a cash prize of €1,000 and a specially commissioned trophy from Roscommon-based designer, Kate Oram with the Overall Winner, receiving a prize of €5,000 and the winner’s trophy.
Further details about the supports available to micro-enterprises in Galway are available through www.galwayenterprise.ie
Source: Galway Independent