14 March 2016

Cork company, Go Cambio scooped top prize at the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Cork’s showcase and awards event and will now go on to represent South Cork at the 2016 National Enterprise Awards in June.

 

Go Cambio, a new skills sharing experience for backpackers, stood out for judges who met and spoke with over a dozen impressive and innovative Cork companies in County Hall on Friday, March 11th - an event which was the culmination of an action-packed Local Enterprise Week that ran from March 7th to March 11th.

 

The Youghal-based company won the top prize with a value of €5,000 and will now be in with a chance of winning one of 12 awards on offer at the National Enterprise Awards and a share of the €20,000 national prize fund.

 

Co-ordinated by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in the Local Authorities Network, the National Enterprise Awards honour the best and brightest small businesses and entrepreneurs around Ireland and celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s micro-enterprise sector.

 

Go Cambio provides connections between people throughout the world who would like to share their skills with their hosts in return for free accommodation.

 

Speaking on Go Cambio’s selection as winner, Sean O’Sullivan, Head of Enterprise, LEO South Cork said:

 

“The judges were incredibly impressed with the best up-and-coming businesses that showcased their products and shared with them their fascinating success stories and business approaches.

 

“Events such as this are so important as they are an opportunity to promote, support and celebrate those who dare and are dedicated to bringing their businesses to the market. We really have such talent and innovation here as was represented so well by the businesses who products ranged across industries as diverse as food, health, sport and cosmetic.

 

“Go Cambio is a perfect example of a local company with world-wide potential and we wish Ian and his team all the very best at the National Enterprise Awards.

 

Ian O’Sullivan from Go Cambio said: “We are absolutely thrilled and so proud to have been selected by LEO South Cork for the National Enterprise Awards. Being recognised in Cork with this award is an exciting achievement for us and we are proud and honoured to represent LEO South Cork at a national level. For start-ups such as ourselves, this support and recognition from our Local Enterprise Office is invaluable.”

 

Runners up at LEO South Cork’s Showcase and Awards event were Irish sports media site Pundit Arena and Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella who each won prizes with a value of €2,000.