New and exciting start-up competition in Carlow puts entrepreneurs over 50 in the spotlight

At 52, Mary had spent most of her working life in retail. When the shop she worked in closed, she didn’t see herself as an entrepreneur, until she began baking for neighbours.

Now, with a spark of confidence and a dream of opening her own food business, Mary represents the kind of person Carlow’s new Empowering Entrepreneurs 50+ Start-Up Competition 2025 hopes to inspire.

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The competition, launched by Carlow County Council in partnership with County Carlow Chamber , Carlow County Development Partnership Carlow Community Enterprise Centres, Southeast Technological University and The Entrepreneurs Academy, is designed specifically for people aged fifty and over who want to turn their ideas into reality.

It’s an age group often overlooked when it comes to start-ups, but in truth, it’s one of the richest sources of talent and creativity.

Ireland’s over-50 population is growing rapidly, and programmes like this echo the vision of Age Friendly Ireland, which champions opportunities for older people to live active, healthy, and engaged lives. In business, that means recognising the life experience, resilience, and practical skills that people bring to the table when they take the leap into entrepreneurship.

Applications are open now, and successful applicants will compete in two categories: one for those with a fresh idea, and another for people running businesses less than eighteen months old.

Twenty finalists will be chosen to attend an intensive Entrepreneurs Boot Camp this November, where they’ll work with mentors, practise their pitches, and build confidence before presenting to a panel of judges. With a prize fund of more than €2,000 on offer, the rewards are real — but for many, the biggest prize may be the belief that they can do it.

For John Brophy, Programme Ambassador, this is the heart of the matter:

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“Entrepreneurship is not limited by age — it’s defined by vision, resilience, and creativity. The Empowering Entrepreneurs 50+  -  Start-Up Competition 2025 offers people over 50 the chance to reimagine their future, unlock their potential, and prove that starting something new later in life is not just possible but powerful.”

The Council sees this as more than just an economic development initiative. As Daniel Pender, leas-Cathaoirleach speaking on behalf of Carlow County Council, put it:

“This competition reflects our strong commitment to Age Friendly principles and to ensuring that people of all ages can contribute to economic growth. We know that older entrepreneurs bring a wealth of lived experience and innovation, and we are proud to provide them with the support and recognition they deserve.”

For Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise at Carlow County Council, the competition is also about unlocking confidence:

“Our ambition is to create opportunities for people aged 50+ to bring forward their business ideas, connect with experts, and access funding that helps them take the next step. This is about building confidence, strengthening skills, and celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit that exists at every age.”

The programme aligns to the Libraries Skills for Life Programme and also the work of Carlow County under its Age Friendly programme. Speaking about the County Age Friendly Programme, Martha Jane Duggan, Age Friendly Co-ordinator for Carlow County Council said,

“Age Friendly Carlow is about more than inclusion — it’s about empowerment. People over 50 bring immense experience, skills, and creativity to our communities. With the right support, they can continue to innovate, launch businesses, and create opportunities for others.

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"That’s why the Council’s commitment to initiatives like Empowering Entrepreneurs 50+ is so important: it ensures that older entrepreneurs are not only valued, but also equipped with the tools, resources, and confidence to thrive.”

For people like Mary — and countless others across County Carlow and beyond — the competition offers more than a stage. It offers a chance to tell their story, to build something of their own, and to show that life’s second (or third) act can be the most exciting of all.

Applications close on September 30, 2025. Anyone interested can apply online at Carlow County Council’s Consultation Portal https://consult.carlow.ie/en/content/empowering-entrepreneurs-50-start-competition, email enterprise@carlowcoco.ie, or call 059-9129783.