Mayo business set for National Enterprise Awards final

A pioneering health snack company from Ballina is poised to take centre stage at one of Ireland’s most prestigious business awards next week.

WONDR Jellies has been selected as Mayo’s representative at the 2025 National Enterprise Awards, taking place on Thursday, May 22, in the historic Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin.

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Representing the Local Enterprise Office Mayo, WONDR Jellies is catching attention in the food innovation sector with its unique product offering—the world’s first high-protein, low-sugar jelly sweets. The company’s mission is nothing short of transforming the global confectionery market by delivering guilt-free indulgence without compromising on taste.

Developed over three years, WONDR Jellies are now gearing up for a major launch, with nationwide distribution planned throughout 2025 and international markets soon to follow. More about the company and its product range can be found at www.eatwondr.com.

This year’s National Enterprise Awards feature a strong showing from Ireland’s thriving food sector. Alongside WONDR Jellies, other contenders include Naked Bakes from South Dublin, SOS Cookies from Limerick, and Fused by Fiona Uyema from Kildare.

Speaking ahead of the awards, John Magee, Head of Enterprise at Mayo County Council, praised the calibre of this year’s finalists: “The National Enterprise Awards serve to highlight the very best businesses that the Local Enterprise Offices are working with across the country. The diversity of sectors and innovation shown again this year is outstanding, and the winners will no doubt produce businesses destined for international success. WONDR Jellies is an impressive early-stage business with an attractive product and a clear business plan, and I expect them to be a very competitive candidate in this year’s awards.”

Mayo has a strong track record at the National Enterprise Awards. Last year, Castlebar-based Cytidel Security took home the Innovation Prize, while in 2023, Ballina’s own Advanced Cosmetics won the top award outright.

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The Finalists compete for a prize fund of €50,000 and along with an overall National Enterprise of the Year winner there are categories for Best Start-Up, Best Export Business, an Innovation Award, a One-to-Watch Award, and a Sustainability Award.

There is also an Outstanding Achievement award for a business that started with their Local Enterprise Office and has gone on to achieve international growth with the assistance of Enterprise Ireland.

The National Enterprise Awards are part of a broader suite of initiatives by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to foster entrepreneurship and support small businesses across the country. Since their establishment in 2014, the LEOs have helped create over 75,000 jobs and continue to support thousands of businesses with mentoring, training, financial assistance, and expert advice.

For more on Local Enterprise Office supports, visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie.