- Eight businesses shortlisted in this year’s DCCI Irish Business Design Challenge (IBDC)
- Public voting opens from midday on Tuesday, 21st October and closes on Friday, 7th November at 5:00pm
- IBDC supports micro and small businesses that are committed to innovation and sustainable design
Tuesday, 21st October 2025: Today, Design & Crafts Council Ireland announced the shortlist for this year’s Irish Business Design Challenge (IBDC). Now in its fifth year, IBDC celebrates businesses that are committed to innovation and sustainable design, and have developed products, services or strategies to make the world a better place. IBDC focuses on companies that have identified pressing challenges or opportunities, and who have used design thinking or circular economy strategies to create sustainable solutions. Public voting for this year’s awards opens today, Tuesday 21st October and will close on Monday, 7th November at 5pm. Visit Irish Business Design Challenge here.
33 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:
- Gemell is based in Dublin, and its mantra is simple – no samples, no scanning, no waste. Gemell builds software that allows yarn and fabric manufacturers to create photorealistic digital twins without ever making a physical sample. By removing the need to physically manufacture, Gemell is replacing a wasteful, 100-year-old workflow with real-time 3D design tools that save time, money, and materials.
- Ecoroots is Ireland’s first mycelium (a.k.a. mushroom roots) packaging company from Cork. Ecoroots transforms agricultural and industrial by-products into high-performance, compostable packaging. Ecoroots’ mission is to eliminate single-use plastics by embedding circular, locally sourced materials into new industrial value chains.
- Change Clothes is a community-based clothing reuse hub in Dublin 8. Here, Change Clothes transforms textile waste into opportunity by making second-hand clothing affordable, accessible, and social for all.
- Refillz is the first zero-waste store in Kildare and Laois, selling wholefoods, cleaning, personal care, and eco-friendly products. Refillz goal is to help people reduce their plastic and packaging waste leading to a cleaner environment.
In the small business category, the following four businesses were shortlisted:
- Rezero transforms waste cigarette filters into premium sunglasses frames. Each year, billions of confiscated cigarettes are incinerated, releasing harmful emissions and wasting the cellulose acetate (CA) inside their filters, the same material used in eyewear. Meanwhile, traditional eyewear brands rely on virgin CA from felled trees, driving deforestation and carbon emissions. Rezero flips this model by rescuing unused filters before they’re destroyed, recycle the CA, and craft durable, high-quality frames. Rezero also reprocesses its own production waste, creating a circular system that maximizes sustainability.
- McWilliam Bags is a Cork-based company making durable, handmade bags since 1971. Using near zero-waste cutting, plant-based materials, and 100% renewable energy, with strong community ties, people and the planet are at the heart of everything they do.
- The Rediscovery Centre is the National Centre for the Circular Economy in Ireland, located in the heart of Ballymun, Dublin. The Rediscovery Centre’s mission is to lead Ireland’s transition to a circular economy and a sustainable future, by creating a fair and inclusive society that thrives within the boundaries of our natural resources.
- Easydry, founded in Dundalk, Louth in 2003, is the global pioneer of the 100% compostable salon towel. With B Corp, OK Compost, Seedling and FSC certifications, Easydry demonstrates accountability and purpose in action.
Supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, IBDC has a prize fund of €50,000. The competition, which is open to micro and small Irish businesses from all sectors, is judged by a panel of experts in a two-way judging system and public vote. This year’s judging panel comprises of:
- Sophie Reynolds, a circular economy policy and innovation lead with Irish Manufacturing Research, where she delivers CIRCULÉIRE, a cross-sectoral industry-led innovation network dedicated to accelerating Irish businesses’ transition to the net-zero carbon circular economy.
- Simon Dennehy, founder of Perch Dynamic Solutions which focuses on research-led design for applied human movement.
- Lara Hanlon, a design strategist, sustainability advocate, and community builder, who is also the founder of Portion Collaborative, a design-led consultancy using creative disruption to drive innovation in the food system.
The jurors evaluate 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.
Mary Blanchfield, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland, commented: “We’re thrilled to see such an impressive and diverse range of businesses taking part in the 2025 Irish Business Design Challenge. This year’s eight shortlisted companies highlight how strategic design continues to drive sustainable growth, innovation, and resilience in an ever-evolving business landscape. The Irish Business Design Challenge reflects Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s ongoing commitment to championing creativity, leadership, sustainability and excellence across the sector. These businesses are setting new benchmarks for design-led success and strengthening Ireland’s global reputation for innovation and design leadership. Congratulations to all who entered, and best of luck to the shortlisted finalists.”
Tom Watts, Head of Design at Design & Crafts Council Ireland, said: “The Irish Business Design Challenge is such an important part of the DCCI Irish Design Week programme, highlighting Ireland’s most innovative companies in the circular space. As an enterprise-focused event within the broader programme, it’s a chance to highlight small and micro businesses that are the very essence of good design – coming up with better, more creative ideas that will benefit the planet and contribute to solving the massive challenges that lie ahead.”
Business entries to the IBDC are judged across two categories, with a winner and runner-up 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 Thursday, 20th November at 11am in Trinity Portal, 4 Grand Canal Quay D02 HR22. For further information on the Irish Business Design Challenge and to vote for the shortlisted finalists visit: https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/dcci-awards-2024/dcci-irish-business-design-challenge/vote-for-the-2025-finalists/?campaign=dcci-irish-business-design-challenge
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 Eliza Gallagher at Elevate PR, 01 662 5652 or email [email protected]
Notes to the Editors:
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, Tourism and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 68 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie/ @dccireland
