The finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2021 have been officially announced by Sue O’Neill, Chair of the SFA Awards Judging Panel. The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland, and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry.
“The response to the awards programme serves as a reminder that Irish small companies are resilient, putting their best foot forward and seeking recognition for their efforts” commented Sue O’Neill. As well as our eight award categories, we also feature five of the best Emerging New Businesses (less than two years established) and, given the quality of the businesses represented this year, entrepreneurship is alive and well in Ireland. “The SFA National Small Business Awards are now entering their 17th consecutive year and are a celebration of small business owners who since 2015 have created over 73,000 jobs. The 266,400 small firms in Ireland employ half of the private sector workforce and these awards aim to promote excellence, achievement and innovation amongst these companies in all sectors and parts of the country. The companies that have been announced as finalists this year represent all that is good about small business” said O’Neill.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, who is Patron of the Awards, stated that: “The SFA National Small Business Awards are very important, particularly as we live with Covid 19. We need agility, flexibility and adaptability in the midst of the global pandemic and there is no better entity than a small business to demonstrate these characteristics.”
43 companies have been selected as finalists from 15 different counties across 9 categories. 15 of the finalist companies are Dublin based including Timbertrove. The Irish family run business is based in Killakee, Rathfarnham and is a finalist in the Manufacturing category (up to 50 employees) which is sponsored by NSAI
The Awards prize package for ALL finalists includes participation in the SFA Business Connect event on February 11, 2021, a strategic management masterclass weekend, as well as broad-ranging national and local media coverage, all valued at €50,000. The category winners will be presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association for one year. The overall winner will also receive a bursary of €5,000 to present to a charity of their choice (funded by the 2013 Overall Winner, Megazyme International Ireland).
