BMW Ireland has launched a new national contest to help nurture the next generation of the country's businesses - the BMW Ireland Future Entrepreneur Competition. The competition is being run in collaboration with award-winning spa consultant and founder of GROUND Wellbeing, Peigin Crowley.
So, what's the contest about?
BMW Ireland says the contest is designed to "empower early-stage entrepreneurs by providing brand visibility, expert mentoring, and access to one of the world's most iconic automotive brands. The programme invites founders of start-up businesses from across Ireland to apply for a unique opportunity to partner with BMW Ireland, showcasing ventures that align with the core values of innovation and sustainability.”
Helen Westby, Managing Director of BMW Ireland, said, “Ireland has always been a country of incredible ideas and bold ambition. Through this programme, we're proud to support the next generation of Irish entrepreneurs and help them accelerate their business with support and alignment from our brand. BMW Group's global strategy is to focus on sustainable development, aiming to integrate business, environmental, and social considerations together, so we are proud to support this mission in Ireland.”
Tell us about Peigin Crowley
Ms Crowley is the founder of GROUND Wellbeing, an Irish company that focuses on self-care and aromatherapy. Ms Crowley, like so many of us, had her big idea while stuck at home during the Covid lockdowns, but unlike most of us, she managed to turn her idea into an award-winning business.
“This programme is about more than mobility, it's about momentum,” said Ms Crowley. “It gave our business an incredible boost in visibility, confidence and credibility. Now it's time to pay that forward and support the next founder ready to make their mark.”
How do I enter?
First, you must be aged 23 or over, with a valid driving licence, no convictions, and be running a self-started business that's been going for less than five years. All of the applications for the contest will be reviewed by a panel of experts, including representatives from Enterprise Ireland. The submissions are to take the form of a three-minute 'elevator pitch' video, and will be assessed on the strength of the content and the candidate's ability to communicate their story with clarity, creativity and ambition.
What can I win?
Prizes for the winning candidate will include the exclusive use of a fully electric BMW iX1 or BMW iX2, complete with company branding for a three-month period in 2025; a one-to-one mentoring session with Peigín Crowley; networking support and mentoring from the BMW Group during the period; and a professional photo and video shoot and features on the discoverbmw.ie website, and BMW Ireland's social media channels.
Applications are now open, and the window for getting your elevator pitch video in runs until 22 June at midnight. The short list of finalists will be invited to a networking lunch with BMW on 16 July, and the winner will be announced at that event.
This new contest is part of a long-standing commitment at BMW to support start-ups and entrepreneurs. According to the Munich car-making giant, “This initiative reaffirms BMW Ireland's commitment to innovation, sustainability and supporting the future of Irish enterprise. With a strong history in supporting start-up ventures this year, The BMW Start Up Garage is celebrating its tenth anniversary. This venture client unit seeks out innovations that deliver real benefits for the BMW Group's products, services, systems and processes. The aim of the programme is to evaluate startups and enable them as long-term partners for the BMW Group, as a way of strengthening the company's innovation leadership. Its achievements so far: 4,700 startups assessed, joint projects with more than 220 fledgling companies from 26 countries, and a total of 30 startups now established as suppliers, service providers and an integral part of the BMW Group network.”