EY Ireland has revealed the finalists for its prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award for 2024, with Bobby Healy from drone delivery specialist Manna Air Delivery and Jennifer Rock, founder of skincare brand Skingrediets, among the leading contenders for Ireland’s most distinguished entrepreneurial accolade.
The annual competition, which has been recognizing Irish business excellence for over two decades, celebrates entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, growth, and leadership within their respective sectors. This year’s finalist selection reflects Ireland’s increasingly diverse entrepreneurial landscape, spanning technology innovation, consumer products, and emerging digital services that are positioning Irish businesses competitively on global markets.
Bobby Healy’s Manna Air Delivery represents Ireland’s advancement in autonomous aviation technology and last-mile delivery solutions. The Dundalk-based company has pioneered commercial drone delivery services across Ireland and internationally, securing significant venture capital backing and demonstrating the country’s capability to compete in cutting-edge logistics technology. The firm’s operations have expanded beyond Irish borders, with successful deployments that showcase how indigenous Irish technology companies can scale internationally whilst maintaining domestic operations and employment.
Jennifer Rock’s journey with Skingrediets exemplifies the evolution of Irish consumer brands in the digital era. The skincare expert and entrepreneur has built a significant following through educational content and developed a product line that addresses specific dermatological needs. Her business model demonstrates how Irish entrepreneurs are leveraging social media platforms and direct-to-consumer channels to build sustainable brands without traditional retail infrastructure investment requirements.
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme has become a cornerstone event within Ireland’s business calendar, providing not merely recognition but also access to mentorship networks, international connections, and visibility that can accelerate business development. Previous winners have gone on to achieve significant scale, with many becoming major employers and export contributors to the Irish economy. The programme aligns with Enterprise Ireland objectives to foster indigenous business growth and international competitiveness.
Ireland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has experienced substantial maturation over recent years, supported by favourable corporate tax structures, access to European markets, and a highly educated workforce. The finalists announced this year reflect sectoral diversity that economic development agencies have actively encouraged, reducing historical over-reliance on foreign direct investment and building domestic innovation capacity.
The technology sector continues to dominate entrepreneurial success stories from Ireland, with companies developing solutions for global markets whilst maintaining headquarters and research operations domestically. This pattern supports employment in high-value roles and contributes to knowledge transfer within the broader economy. Consumer-focused businesses represented among finalists indicate growing sophistication in brand development and international marketing capabilities among Irish entrepreneurs.
Selection for the finalist cohort involves rigorous evaluation by an independent judging panel assessing criteria including innovation, financial performance, strategic direction, and societal impact. The process examines not simply revenue growth but sustainable business models, corporate governance standards, and contribution to employment creation. This comprehensive assessment ensures recognized entrepreneurs exemplify best practices across multiple dimensions of business leadership.
The winner announcement, scheduled for later in 2024, will identify Ireland’s representative for the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year competition, providing international exposure and networking opportunities at the global level. This pathway has previously enabled Irish business leaders to establish partnerships, attract investment, and access markets that might otherwise have remained inaccessible to companies of their scale.
As Ireland navigates post-pandemic economic conditions and adjusts to evolving international trade relationships, the entrepreneurial sector remains vital for economic resilience and diversification. The businesses represented among this year’s finalists demonstrate adaptability, technological adoption, and market responsiveness that will prove essential for sustained economic performance across coming years.
