Meath student wins title of Ireland’s top young entrepreneur

County Meath student Séan Finnegan emerged victorious at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Mullingar, beating out numerous competitors to claim the top prize. Finnegan, a student at St Patrick’s Classical School in Navan, impressed judges with his innovative creation, Finnegan Fabrication’s “High Lift,” a portable crane designed to assist those in construction and similar industries with lifting heavy materials.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, commended Finnegan and all the students who participated in the competition, highlighting the entrepreneurial talent present among Ireland’s future business leaders. Michael Nevin, chair of the Local Enterprise Office’s Enterprise Education Committee, praised the diverse range of entries in this year’s competition, showcasing the creativity and innovation of young entrepreneurs.

Finnegan’s win marks the second victory for St. Patrick’s in Navan in recent years, following Barrelda’s success in 2022. Other notable winners included Esker Timber Creations from Presentation College Athenry in Galway, and Carry Camán from Presentation Secondary School Castleisland in Kerry, in the Intermediate and Junior categories respectively.

The Student Enterprise Programme National Finals featured 81 businesses from across the country, with close to 28,000 students participating in the initiative. Supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, the program aims to foster entrepreneurship among secondary school students, with over 400,000 students having taken part since its inception 22 years ago. Finnegan’s victory serves as a testament to the bright future of Irish business leaders and global entrepreneurs emerging from the program.