Excellence in SMEs celebrated in County Carlow with Eskimo freezing out strong competition

Eskimo Software, an innovative business developing software solutions for the motor industry, both in Ireland and internationally, has been selected to represent Carlow at the National Enterprise Awards 2024.

The announcement was made at a recent function organised by Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office and held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, which also saw the winners of six categories in the Carlow Enterprise Awards announced.

The Carlow Enterprise Awards took place as part of a very successful Local Enterprise Week programme of events throughout the country run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, featuring over 300 events nationwide between March 4-9, 2024.

Category winners were presented with their awards by Cllr Andrea Dalton, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Cllr Dalton said “The National Enterprise Awards celebrate the dedication, creativity and perseverance of both individuals and companies that have made notable impacts on the local economy and are actively fostering economic expansion within our county and nationwide.”

As 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the foundation of the Local Enterprise Office, this year’s awards event also saw a number of other awards given in recognition of businesses who have grown in partnership with the Local Enterprise Office over the past decade. The other category winners announced were MMPS Carpentry – Digitalisation Award; Ballybar Ireland – Best Start Up; Mount Brandon Cottages – Green/Sustainability Award; Lean for Business – CGL Retail Solutions; Cullen Nurseries – E-Commerce Award; Borris Festival of Writing & Ideas – Festival & Event Award, with this award being decided by a public vote.

Eskimo Software, which is based in Carlow Town, will now represent Carlow against representatives of the other 30 Local Enterprise Offices at the National Enterprise Awards, which will be held in Dublin’s Mansion House in May. “We are thrilled to be representing Carlow in the awards,” says Conor Moran, founder, Eskimo Software. “Carlow LEO has been instrumental in our growth over the years and our growth as a company over the years would have been much slower and more difficult without them.”

Eskimo Software develops software solutions for motor dealers all over the world. The award reflects their continued success in developing an innovative customer management platform that allows motor dealers to manage lead generation, sales management and showroom tracking in a single cloud-based solution. The business has greatly expanded its international profile in recent years and now has a client base stretching from Ireland to Britain, Middle East and Australia.

“As a self-funded company, we have worked quite closely with the Carlow LEO over the years,” said Moran. “They’ve been fantastic in taking the risk out of growth, especially when hiring new people. We now have eight people, which is low for what we’re achieving, but we are steadily growing.”

The supports offered by the LEO helped Eskimo develop as a company in Ireland before venturing abroad. “For a lot of companies developing products, they have to assume what the customer wants,” said Moran. “For us, we were able to develop as a result of customer feedback, which I think is our strength. Now we are growing internationally, first to the UK, then the Middle East, Spain and Australia. Now we’re talking to North and South America.”

We are committed to ensuring that our SMEs make full use of the diverse range of supports offered by the LEO

This award, and the opportunity to represent Carlow in the National Awards, is the culmination of many years of support from the Carlow LEO. “To be honest, it would have been quite difficult without the assistance of the Local Enterprise Office,” said Moran. “It would have taken us a lot longer to grow. When employing people, as a self-funded company, the assistance the LEO allows us to make that hire before we would otherwise. It takes a while for a new hire, especially in development, to get up to speed and bring their full benefits to the company. Being financially supported through a grant is invaluable to us.

“We were also able to get matched funding for a trade show in the Middle East,” continued Moran. “This resulted in signing up quite a large dealership, so it was really beneficial.”

Moran also credits the non-financial benefits of building a relationship with the Local Enterprise Office. “We have had great advice from them over the years; they always pick up the phone and are ready to help. We also had a mentor, Michael Ryan, who helped us a lot. My advice to any up-and-coming company is to reach out to your LEO – there’s so much support available, whatever sector you’re in.”

Speaking about the supports offered to the business community by Carlow County Council, Cathaoirleach Cllr Andrea Dalton said: “The Local Enterprise Office in Carlow County Council plays a crucial role in aiding our local businesses. We are committed to ensuring that our SMEs make full use of the diverse range of supports offered by the LEO.

“Carlow County Council is dedicated to fostering a dynamic business ecosystem that nurtures start-ups, fosters growth, and promotes local job opportunities through our enterprise and economic development endeavours.”

Finally, speaking during National Enterprise week about the awards, Séamus Doran, assistant head of economic development & enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office, and organiser of the County Final, added, “The National Enterprise Awards are the leading forum for recognising the success of small businesses in Ireland and we are delighted with the level of interest in this year’s awards.

“The National Enterprise Awards offer a huge opportunity to any ambitious business to place themselves in the spotlight and to showcase what they have to offer to a national audience.

“We are particularly proud to see Eskimo Software, a business of exceptional calibre and ambition, representing Carlow in the national final. The richness of small businesses in Carlow was strikingly evident through the array of category award winners today, as well as the outstanding businesses shortlisted, though not securing an award this time.

“Undoubtedly, some of them will represent Carlow in future editions of the National Enterprise Awards.”