WONDR Jellies, supported by Local Enterprise Office Mayo, were among the winners at this year’s National Enterprise Awards. The Ballina company was named the West regional champion and took home an award.
The awards took place on 22 May, in the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dublin. They are in their 25th year and are run annually by the Local Enterprise Offices.
WONDR Jellies are the world’s first high-protein, low sugar jellies. The company aims to revolutionise the global confectionery market by offering healthier alternatives to regular jellies, that taste just as good. Following over three years of development, the brand will be rolling out across Ireland and international markets throughout 2025.
Website: www.eatwondr.com
WONDR Jellies has a clear plan for future growth and overseas expansion and clearly impressed the judges of the country’s most prestigious business awards. This is the 3rd year in a row that a Mayo business has been feted at the awards. Last year, Castlebar’s Cytidel won the Innovation award, and in 2023, Ballina’s Advanced Cosmetics won the overall national prize.
John Magee, Head of Enterprise, Mayo County Council said “The National Enterprise Awards highlight the very best businesses that the Local Enterprise Offices are working with. WONDR Jellies is an impressive early stage business with an attractive product and a clear business plan, and it is no surprise that they scooped up a regional award in this year’s awards. This continues a run of Mayo successes at the awards with a regional award, an innovation award and an overall award going to Mayo businesses over the last 3 years.”
This year’s overall winner at the National Enterprise Awards was SPRYT (Monaghan) a virtual assistant that can liaise directly with patients on appointments via simple SMS communications to ensure appointment completion and can effectively reallocate appointments in real-time to eliminate no shows and doctor and consultant wastage.
Announcing the award winners at the Mansion House, Minister Dillon said, “The National Enterprise Awards are a celebration of the innovation, resilience, and ambition that define Ireland’s business community. Each year, the calibre of finalists continues to rise, reflecting the extraordinary talent and determination of entrepreneurs across the country. These businesses are not only creating jobs—they are shaping the future of our local economies and communities.
“Tonight’s winners represent the very best of what Irish enterprise has to offer, and we remain committed to supporting them as they grow, compete, and thrive on both a national and global stage. These businesses are at the core of every town, village and community and are vital to our economy. We will ensure businesses continue to get the support they need to grow, prosper, and remain competitive,” Minister Dillon continued.
Carol Gibbons, Head of Entrepreneurship and Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland, said: “The high calibre of businesses in today’s final highlights the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and innovation within Irish enterprise. The solutions these businesses have developed are impressive, and I am encouraged by their ambition and determination to develop products and services with a positive impact on our society.
At Enterprise Ireland, we believe Irish businesses are central to driving economic growth, and we’re proud to support that ambition in partnership with the Local Enterprise Offices. Congratulations to all the winners — I wish them continued success on their growth journey.”
Previous winners of the National Enterprise Awards include Irish Yoghurts (1998), Obelisk (2000), Simtech Aviation (2008), Digiweb (2004) and Design Pro (2013), Terra NutriTech (2018), Pestle & Mortar (2019), Bevcraft (2021), Aqualicence in 2022 and Advanced Cosmetics in 2023.
Last year’s winners were DreamDev Technologies, supported by Local Enterprise Office Kildare, who developed an AI augmented platform to help companies to significantly increase their product’s time to market.
The National Enterprise Awards are one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie.
