Mayo sea-moss company named as finalist in new national competition
Foxford-based Sláinte Sea Moss shortlisted as one of 25 finalists in an inaugural competition for small businesses
A MAYO-based skin care producer has been shortlisted as one of 25 finalists in an inaugural competition for small businesses which demonstrated outstanding creativity and commercial potential.
Foxford-based Sláinte Sea Moss was one of only three companies based in Connacht to be shortlisted for the Makers' Academy, a landmark business development programme designed to help some of Ireland's most exciting creative brands scale from independent makers into commercially successful retail businesses.
Kilkenny Design and the Local Enterprise Offices unveiled the 25 finalists selected for their Makers' Academy with finalists coming from 17 counties across the Republic of Ireland and categories including homeware, jewellery, fashion, craft, food, and wellbeing.
Receiving hundreds of applications from talented makers, designers, and founders nationwide, the highly competitive selection process identified 25 businesses demonstrating outstanding creativity, commercial potential and the ambition to become Ireland's next generation of consumer brands.
Founded by James Dent, Slainte Sea Moss produces a range of beauty products made from organic west of Ireland sea-moss and their 'skincare line offers a rich dose of natural nutrients for the skin'.
This new partnership between Kilkenny Design and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) aims to build on the significant support already available to the craft and design sector through the LEOs from funding and mentoring to training and digital and green consultancy and grants.
For more than 60 years, Kilkenny Design has championed Irish makers, helping generations of designers and crafts people bring their products to customers across Ireland and internationally. The Makers' Academy represents the next evolution of that commitment, investing in the future of Irish creativity by partnering with the Local Enterprise Offices for this initiative giving emerging businesses the commercial skills, mentoring and retail expertise needed to grow sustainable brands.
Over the coming months, the finalists will participate in a programme of workshops, one-to-one mentoring and business coaching delivered in partnership with Kilkenny Design's senior leadership, buying, marketing and ecommerce teams, alongside leading industry, and enterprise experts. Participants will receive practical guidance across retail strategy, branding, finance, ecommerce, digital marketing, and founder development, equipping them with the tools to accelerate their businesses.
As part of the Makers’ Academy, each finalist will also receive the opportunity to showcase their products through pop-ups in Kilkenny Design retail stores, providing exposure to customers and first-hand experience of trading within one of Ireland's best-known retail destinations.
Speaking about the finalists, Evelyn Moynihan, CEO of Kilkenny Design said, ‘The quality of applications exceeded all expectations and demonstrated the extraordinary creativity and entrepreneurial talent that exists across Ireland today. Selecting just twenty finalists was incredibly difficult. For more than six decades, supporting Irish makers has been central to who we are at Kilkenny Design.
“The Makers' Academy builds on that legacy by giving emerging businesses access to the commercial knowledge, retail expertise and mentoring that can help transform great ideas into successful, sustainable brands. We are excited to collaborate with these finalists and help shape the future of Irish design.”
The programme will conclude this October with one overall winner receiving the opportunity to have their collection on shelf in a Kilkenny Design store.