- Eight businesses shortlisted in this year’s Irish Business Design Challenge (IBDC)
- Public voting opens from midday on Monday 21st October and closes on Monday 4th November at 5:00pm
- IBDC 2024 focuses on design solutions to make businesses more sustainable and efficient
Monday, 21st October 2024: Today, Design & Crafts Council Ireland announced the shortlist for this year’s Irish Business Design Challenge (IBDC). Now in its fourth year, IBDC celebrates businesses that add value, repurpose products, develop circular economy strategies, enhance efficiency, and tackle societal and environmental challenges through sustainable design. As well as creating awareness and generating support for the shortlisted businesses, DCCI’s IBDC shines a light on the value that considering design has on overall business strategy. This year’s challenge focuses on companies that have identified pressing challenges or opportunities, using design thinking or circular economy strategies to create sustainable solutions. Each shortlisted business took part in a video pitch as part of the process, which will be issued through Design & Crafts Council Ireland social channels throughout the voting period. Voting for this year’s awards opens today, Tuesday 22nd October and will close on Monday, 4th November at 5pm. Visit Irish Business Design Challenge here and follow the voting link.
Supported by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the IBDC awards, which has a prize fund of €50,000, is a competition aimed at micro and small Irish businesses from all sectors. The judging for the awards is made up of a jury panel and a final judging panel who will judge the shortlisted companies alongside the public vote. The jury panel comprised of Irish womenswear designer, Róisín Pierce; Glyn Griffiths, Sustainability and innovation Principal Consultant at PA Consulting; Natalie B Coleman, fashion lecturer at the National College of Art and Design; and Nessa Doran O’Reilly furniture designer and maker. The jurors evaluated each entry based on the innovation of products or services born from sustainable developments that encompass environmental quality, economic prosperity, and social equity, with sustainable design at its core.
58 businesses from across Ireland entered and the following eight companies were shortlisted in this year’s awards. In the micro business category the following four businesses were shortlisted:
- Mount Brandon Cottages (Kilkenny): A boutique accommodation provider known for its sustainable design and renewable energy. Working closely with the local community, the team aims to continue improving their environmental practices.
- Brookfield Farm (Tipperary): An organic farm that brings people together through sustainability and community projects. Brookfield Farm encourages farmers, artists, and craftspeople to work together for positive change in agriculture.
- SAMPLA (Waterford): Founded by Finbarr Power, SAMPLA was shortlisted for their plant-based, sustainable footwear, made from apple leather. They focus on ethical production, energy-saving processes, and showcased strong values of transparency in its operations.
- Ceadogán Rugmakers (Wexford): Known for making high-quality rugs using natural fibres. Their commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability is a key part of their work, whilst supporting their local community.
In the small business category the following four businesses were shortlisted:
- BladeBridge (Cork): BladeBridge reuses old wind turbine blades to build strong, eco-friendly structures, reducing waste and helping the environment.
- BiaSol (Offaly): A family-run start-up that turns food waste from brewing into high-quality products. Their strong brand highlights their commitment to sustainability and innovative use of resources.
- AOIFE (Kildare): A fashion brand by Aoife Rooney, which uses biodegradable fabrics and sustainable production. The brand also offers services to repair and take apart their clothes to promote long-lasting, circular fashion.
- Kilkenny Cooling Systems (Kilkenny): Founded in 1971, Kikenny Cooling Systems has developed the eDrive Cooling System, which cuts down on energy use without affecting quality. This provides a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the draft beverage industry.
Mary Blanchfield, Interim CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland commented: “We’re delighted to see such a strong range of businesses enter this year’s Irish Business Design Challenge. The eight shortlisted businesses demonstrate how strategic design can enable sustainable growth and resilience in challenging times. The Irish Business Design Challenge underscores the Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s commitment to fostering innovation and leadership in the sector. These companies are setting new standards for business excellence and contribute to Ireland’s global reputation for design leadership. Congratulations to all businesses who entered and best of luck to those shortlisted.”
Tom Watts, Head of Design at Design & Crafts Council Ireland said “The shortlisted companies for this year’s Irish Business Design Challenge exemplify how design can address critical issues, from environmental impact to customer-focused solutions. It is inspiring to witness the ingenuity and resilience of these businesses, who are setting new standards in sustainability and efficiency. We are proud to recognise their achievements and support their continued success.”
Business entries to the IBDC are judged across two categories, with a winner chosen in each category: micro and small. This programme provides expert guidance to companies who wish to further their sustainable and circular design principles as part of their business model.
The winners and runners up will be announced for each category at the IBDC Awards on Monday, 11th November in the Royal Irish Academy of Music. For further information on the Irish Business Design Challenge, visit https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/dcci-awards-2024/dcci-irish-business-design-challenge/
Shortlist:
| Organisation | Category | Location | Website |
| Ceadogán Rugmakers | Micro | Wexford | https://www.ceadogan.ie/ |
| Mount Brandon Cottages | Micro | Kilkenny | https://mountbrandoncottages.com/ |
| Brookfield Farm | Micro | Tipperary | https://www.brookfield.farm/ |
| Sampla | Micro | Waterford | https://www.sampla.ie/ |
| AOIFE ® | Small | Kildare | https://aoifelifestyle.com/ |
| Kilkenny Cooling Systems – eDrive Beer Cooling System |
Small | Kilkenny | https://kilkennycooling.com/
|
| BiaSol | Small | Offaly | https://www.biasol.ie/ |
| BladeBridge Ltd | Small | Cork | https://www.bladebridge.ie/ |
ENDS
For more information, please contact Eimear Harding, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Design & Crafts Council Ireland, 083 023 8743 or email [email protected]
For further press information please contact Claire Feely, Laura Daly or Katie O’Reilly at Elevate PR, 01 662 5652 or email [email protected]
Notes to the Editors:
Irish Business Design Challenge
Irish Business Design Challenge calls on all eligible businesses to showcase their commitment to sustainability through innovative design, circular and ethical practices.
About Design & Crafts Council Ireland
Design & Crafts Council Ireland is the national agency for craft and design in Ireland, we support designers and makers to develop their businesses in a sustainable way, and advocate for the societal benefits of craft and design. DCCI’s activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 64-member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie @dccireland
