Community Entrepreneurs Invited to Apply for David Manley Awards
Submitted by paulmeade on 27 June 2012 - 1:29pm
“Everyone loves you when you’re successful – but what about when you’re starting out and feeling very inexperienced with little resources – that’s when entrepreneurs need support” says Louise Manley, Chair of the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneurs Awards. “We are very proud that since we launched our Awards ten years ago, we have genuinely supported emerging entrepreneurs and helped them get to the next step.”
"The late David Manley inspired many, many entrepreneurs across the spectrum of arts, social community and business"
Dr. Chris Horn, chair of the panel of judges, adds, “I think the reason these Awards have had such an impact – which is all the more impressive when you consider they’re run by volunteers – is that we know exactly the type of entrepreneur that we want to work with.” Closing date for entries for the 2013 Awards is 7th September 2012 and our Call for Applications can be downloaded by clicking here.
Last year’s winners - Louis Lovett and Muireann Ahern of Theatre Lovett – comment, “These are exciting times for Theatre Lovett and the David Manley Award came at a really good time for our young company. We excel in the world of the imagination and the David Manley Award is helping to ensure that our foundations are anything but make-believe.” The dynamic duo are currently creating a new show for family audiences set to premiere later this year. In 2013 Theatre Lovett will embark on a prestigious six city tour of the USA with the generous support of Culture Ireland. Having just returned from The Southbank Centre in London, Louis' much-lauded one-man performance in ‘The Girl who Forgot to Sing Badly’ (The Ark and Theatre Lovett) is next to appear at The Everyman Palace as part of Cork Midsummer Festival. (21 June – 1 July). Their unique model of actor training in theatre for young audiences continues to inspire theatre artists.
Elaborating on the type of entrepreneur being sought by the Awards organisers, Dr. Chris Horn says, “We only want to hear from entrepreneurs who are passionate, with a can-do attitude and who are full of potential. The late David Manley inspired many, many entrepreneurs across the spectrum of arts, social community and business and we’re looking for someone who embodies his qualities, his energy and generosity. In return, the sponsors and team behind the David Manley Awards commit to using our expertise and skills to make a genuinely major impact on the success of the winner – and to help them up the next few rungs of the ladder to success.”
Gina Quin, Chief Executive, Dublin Chamber of Commerce, agrees, “Dublin Chamber of Commerce is delighted to acknowledge the impact that the David Manley Awards have had since their inception ten years ago and in recognition of this, we have committed to sponsoring these Awards for the next three years. As indigenous business is vital to economic recovery, it is particularly important that emerging entrepreneurs are given as much support as possible to ensure they get to the next rung of the ladder. The mentoring aspect of the Awards – which is worth over €100,000 - ensures that winners are given that support as well as a cash sum. On a more personal note, the awards were established by a group of the late David Manley’s friends in the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to honour his mentoring of entrepreneurs during his lifetime. David was President of the Chamber in 2000.”
The David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards honour the enterprising spirit within Business, the Arts and in the Social community. Business to Arts, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Business Innovation Centres, Incubation Centres and Enterprise Support Agencies work with the David Manley Award Committee in implementing the Award scheme.
€100,000 Prize Fund
The prize fund for the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Award is worth over €100,000 and the nine short-listed entrants receive mentoring. In addition, the overall winner gets €10,000 in cash and mentoring and consultancy services from a variety of top companies (See below for list of sponsors). Category winners will also receive a cash award as well as mentoring.
Closing Date: the closing date for the first round is 7 September 2012 and nine short-listed people will then be invited to make a more detailed submission, followed by an interview. The winner will be announced in January 2013.
