Sixteen of the best young entrepreneurs were selected nationwide for the competition which was open to anyone aged between 16-30 and whose businesses had been up and running for between 3 and 18 months.

Other Southside finalists were Paul Keely, from The Adventure Company in Killiney and Jack Donaghy of Webtrade, Rathfarnham.

... Jack Donaghy (29) established his web design company last September. Just over a year later the company is already well established with over 30 sites created to date.

Webtrade, located at Church Lane, Rathfarnham, specialise in the latest Internet technologies including hosting online interactive databases and providing animated movies for websites.

The awards are part of an international Shell LiveWIRE programme, which was launched in the UK in 1983. Its aim is to provide free expert advice to young entrepreneurs on how to set up and run business successfully. The Irish awards were presented by Noel Treacy, Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce in Croke Park last week.