Tag: you’re the business

Ireland’s oldest surfing retailer, Lahinch Surf Shop wins bespoke AI-powered advertising campaign with Google

Google, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), has today announced Lahinch Surf Shop as the overall winner of this year’s You’re the Business competition. Situated on the picturesque prom in Lahinch Co Clare, the family-founded business was selected for its innovative use of digital tools to grow and evolve its operations. As the top winner, Lahinch Surf Shop will receive a truly unique prize: a custom AI-powered advertising campaign developed by Google AI in collaboration with a team of AI experts.

In addition to the overall winner, 23 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across Ireland, spanning a range of industries from print studios and food producers to bespoke cabinet makers have been awarded an exclusive, money-can’t-buy prize as part of the You’re the Business campaign. Those selected will receive a digital support package from Google which includes a one-year Google Workspace Business subscription with access to AI-powered tools like Gemini Advanced and NotebookLM and a one-to-one consultation from Google experts on how to get the best out of Google Workspace. Winners will also receive a You’re the Business trophy and digital assets and are invited to attend a dedicated Winners event in Google’s EMEA HQ in Dublin.

Speaking about the competition Eileesh Buckley, co-owner of Lahinch Surf Shop in Clare said:

“It’s an incredible honour to be recognised as part of the You’re the Business campaign. At Lahinch Surf Shop, we’ve always believed in leveraging the power of digital tools to connect with our customers in meaningful ways. Being selected for this bespoke AI-powered advertising campaign is an exciting step forward, and we’re really looking forward to working with Google’s team to take our digital presence to the next level.”

Cera Ward, Managing Director, Large Customer Solutions, Google Ireland said:

“SMEs comprise 90% of all enterprises in Ireland. Businesses like Lahinch Surf Shop and all those we are celebrating today are an integral part of the economy generating employment and providing services across the country. Through You’re the Business we want to help founders leverage a range of digital tools, including AI, to help them reach their growth potential. We’ve been proud to partner with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices in the delivery of the programme and I want to congratulate all the winners announced today.”

Delivered by Google in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Office, You’re the Business is an online platform offering digital training and tools to businesses in Ireland free of charge. Now in its third year, the initiative has taken on a new AI-focus with the online platform offering new training modules where users can explore AI tools and learn how AI can help them prepare for the future.

The competition element rewards businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their journey. Entrants were asked to submit a written entry telling their story around how they’ve utilised or enhanced digital skills in order to help their business grow or succeed online.

Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, said;

“The role of digital in the evolution and growth of any SME has never been so keenly felt than over the past number of years.  Giving them access to Google’s in-depth expertise through the You’re the Business programme is a fantastic step to help these companies maximise their online presence.  This programme along with the suite of online supports through the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland to help businesses digitise, is helping give them a competitive advantage both here and internationally.  Congratulations to all the winners today and we look forward to continuing to support them as they grow over the coming years.”

For further information on the winners and the You’re The Business initiative, please visit: g.co/yourethebusiness

Winning SMEs:

Google-led initiative to support Irish businesses returns

Google is today calling for entries to the third annual You’re the Business Competition. Delivered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) , You’re the Business is an online platform offering digital training and tools to businesses in Ireland free of charge. The competition element will reward businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their journey with those selected set to receive a Google digital support package, one-to-one mentoring and the chance to win a bespoke, AI-powered advertising campaign.

The competition is open to businesses across Ireland. Entrants must submit a written entry no longer than 200 words telling their story around how they’ve utilised or enhanced digital skills in order to help their business grow or succeed online.

The judging panel, comprising representatives from Google, EI, and the LEO’s with You’re the Business alumni and past winner Sarah Timony of ADAPTAFASHION will assess the entries based on their response to the prompt ‘Tell us why you’re the business’. A PDF must be uploaded to the competition submission box on the You’re the Business website by 21 March 2025.

This year’s initiative takes on a new AI-focus. The You’re the Business online platform has access to new training modules where users can explore AI tools and learn how AI can help them prepare for the future. Selected businesses will receive a digital support package from Google which includes a one-year Google Workspace Business Standard subscription with access to AI-powered tools like Gemini Advanced and NotebookLM and a one-to-one consultation from Google experts on how to get the best out of Google Workspace. Winners will also receive a You’re the Business trophy and digital assets and will be invited to attend a dedicated Winners event in Google’s EMEA HQ in Dublin.

New this year, the company or founder that has demonstrated the most creative or effective use of digital skills to grow or enhance their business will receive a one-of-a-kind prize; a bespoke AI-powered advertising campaign, created by Google AI with a team of experts in partnership with the winner.

Cera Ward, Managing Director at Google Ireland  said:

“We are so excited to launch the third-annual You’re the Business competition and look forward to learning more about these companies, their challenges, and digital ambitions. We know that AI has the power to revolutionise the way we do business which is why we have made it a key focus of this year’s initiative. Google wants to support these companies as they take the next steps on their AI journey.”

 

Carol Gibbons, Divisional Manager. Entrepreneurship, Regions & Local Enterprise at Enterprise Ireland:

“Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are committed to empowering Irish businesses to succeed online. Our collaboration with Google on initiatives like this competition is a key part of that commitment. We are thrilled to partner with Google on this exciting opportunity and look forward to discovering the innovative ways businesses are approaching their digital growth. We’re here to support them every step of the way on their digital journey.”

John Magee, Chair of the Local Enterprise Office Network said:

“We are committed to helping Irish businesses thrive in a digital world, and this initiative, delivered in partnership with Google, is just one of the many ways we continue to support our clients on their digital journey.”

Speaking at the launch announcement, past winner and judge for the 2025 competition Sarah Timony [pictured], CEO and Founder, ADAPTAFASHION:

“Participating in the You’re the Business competition was a fantastic experience. The programme provided me with invaluable support and resources that directly contributed to the growth and success of ADAPTAFASHION. I’m so grateful for the opportunity and would encourage fellow founders to participate in this year’s initiative to see how far digital can bring you on your growth journey.”

Entries are open now with further information on the You’re the Business competition available at: g.co/yourethebusiness

Google announces 21 winners of the second annual You’re the Business competition

Google, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) are today announcing that they have selected 21 SME’s from across Ireland to secure a truly unique, money- can’t-buy prize as part of the You’re The Business campaign. Now in its second year, You’re the Business is a training and mentoring programme that aims to accelerate Irish SME growth through digitalisation.

In addition to the training, You’re the Business features a competition element to recognise and reward

SMEs that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their growth journey – from

those who have launched a website, through to those who are just starting to export. Entrants were asked to submit a video no longer than 2 minutes in duration, detailing what their business means to them and an example of how they have used digital to drive / grow / enhance their business.

Winners will receive a digital support package from Google which includes €1,000 Google ads credit, as

well as one on one consultations with experts that will help them to further develop and grow their

business. The selected businesses are invited to attend a celebratory event at Google’s The Foundry

later this year.

An additional prize of a video creation kit was awarded to Jasmine Feehan, founder Dóchas Design Studio, for demonstrating great efforts in promoting their business online. Speaking about the competition, Jasmine said:

“I entered the You’re the Business Competition with hopes of expanding my digital expertise, growing my business online and advertising outside of social media. Developing the Dóchas Design Studio website and social media channels has allowed me to give a real sense of personality and brand identity to the business online. Without having a brick and mortar store, becoming familiar with website development and social media marketing has been essential to the success of Dóchas Design Studio and growing an online community.”

Speaking about their win, Sofie Rooney, co-owner and founder of winning SME Chimac, the Dublin-based Korean fusion chicken and sauce company, said:

“We’re so delighted to be a winner of this year’s Google You’re The Business competition. Whether it’s promoting our restaurant to potential customers, or reaching new markets with our Korean inspired sauces, Chimac has always used digital media as a targeted tool that enables us to speak directly with existing and potential customers  As we move into 2024, Google’s support package of advertising funds and expert mentorship will play a key role in our strategic planning and marketing strategy.”

Cera Ward, Managing Director of Google Ireland said:

“In Ireland, over 90% of all enterprises stand within the SME bracket. SMEs like Chimac and those we are celebrating today are an integral part of the economy generating employment and providing services across the country. Business owners know that in order to reach Irish consumers, 90% of whom are active online, they need to ensure their online presence is at its best.  You’re the Business helps SMEs to do just that, through training that is available on our dedicated site. We’;ve been proud to partner with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices in the delivery of the You’re the Business programme and I want to congratulate Chimac, Dóchas Design Studio and all the winners announced today, I look forward to seeing how they use this prize to support continued growth.”

Richard Murphy, head of LEO Support and Coordination Unit at Enterprise Ireland said:

“The role of digital in the evolution and growth of any SME has never been so keenly felt than over the past number of years. Companies have had to become more agile and digitally adept to survive and thrive. Opening up and sharing Google’s expertise in digital with SMEs across Ireland is a huge step forward in helping these companies to maximise their online presence and growth potential. Many congratulations to the winners announced today. We wish them continued success and look forward to supporting them as they grow both here in Ireland and hopefully internationally in the years to come.”

The foundation of You’re the Business is a digital upskill program. It is a Google initiative developed in

partnership with EI and the LEOs that delivers on-demand training online, e-learning courses, and tools

and other resources to SMEs in Ireland to help them upskill digitally.

For further information on the winners and the You’re The Business initiative, please visit: g.co/yourethebusiness

Winning SMEs: