Shortlist revealed for Young Enterprise NI 2026 awards
Carol Fitzsimons, MBE, CEO at Young Enterprise, Alistair Stewart, Director of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility at Queen’s University Belfast and Judith Totten, MBE, Upstream and Young Enterprise Chair
Six student companies from across Northern Ireland are vying to be ‘Company of the Year’ at Belfast City Hall ceremony
Six student-powered ‘companies’ from schools across Northern Ireland have reached the final stage in this year’s Young Enterprise NI awards – YEA26 – and will be hoping their business idea and entrepreneurial approach secure the top award at the ceremony in Belfast City Hall in April.
The six school teams shortlisted are Fair Play from Strathearn School, Seed the Season from Cullybackey College, Kabloom from Limavady Grammar School, Root & Rise from Lurgan College, Looped from Glenlola Collegiate, and Emotion Commotion from Fivemiletown College.
The companies each won their respective regional competition and pitched their business ideas to an esteemed panel of judges and in front of an audience at Queen’s University Belfast Business School earlier this month.
The businesses reflect a wide range of ideas and interests, from a memory game designed by Fair Play to Seed the Season’s range of seeded products, Kabloom’s gardening kits, Root & Rise’s painted flower jars and mindful journal, Looped’s handcrafted recycled rope bracelets and Emotion Commotion’s innovative card game.
Young Enterprise NI chief executive, Carol Fitzsimons MBE, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to reveal this year’s shortlist and to celebrate the exceptional standard of talent, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking shown by students from right across Northern Ireland.
“This year’s finalists have demonstrated real innovation, teamwork and determination in developing products and ideas with genuine commercial potential. Supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs is vital to the future strength of our economy, and the Young Enterprise NI awards play an important role in helping young people build the confidence, skills and ambition they need to succeed.
“We are hugely grateful to the many businesses and partners who continue to support our work and make opportunities like this possible. Congratulations to every student who took part, and especially to our finalists as they prepare for this year’s awards.”
Northern Ireland’s leading enterprise education charity, Young Enterprise NI is dedicated to inspiring and educating local young people about the world of business and entrepreneurship.
Queen’s University Belfast is the lead educational partner for Young Enterprise NI’s flagship company programme.
Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast at Queen’s University Belfast, added:
“At Queen’s University Belfast, we are proud to support an initiative that gives young people the opportunity to develop these skills and build their confidence. Activities like this play an important role in nurturing early entrepreneurial ambition, encouraging students to think creatively, solve problems and take their ideas further.
“It is hugely encouraging to see so many young people already demonstrating the qualities of the next generation of business leaders, and we are delighted to be part of helping them on that journey.”
This year’s judging panel included Adam Ewart, Founder and CEO at Send My Bag, Julie McCandless, Professor of Practice Organisation, Work and Leadership at Queen’s University Belfast, Vera McWilliam, Trustee Director at Institute of Export Foundation, Donna Parker, Managing Director - NI Network at Staffline and Lorna McAdoo, Head of ESG at Version 1.
Carol Fitzsimons, MBE, Chief Executive at Young Enterprise, Adam Ewart, Founder and CEO at Send My Bag, Judith Totten, MBE, Founder and CEO at Upstream, Julie McCandless, Professor of Practice Organisation, Work and Leadership at Queen’s University Belfast, Vera McWilliam, Trustee Director at Institute of Export Foundation, Donna Parker, Managing Director - NI Network at Staffline and Lorna McAdoo, Head of ESG at Version 1.
The winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Belfast City Hall in April.
Last year, students from Omagh Academy won Company of the Year with their company, Minted Minds, which tackled entrepreneurial skill development and business management, with a financial management book for children.