Ballina business to fly the flag for Mayo at National Enterprise Awards

A health snack company from Ballina is set to compete with the country’s best small businesses as one of the finalists in the National Enterprise Award taking place next week.

WONDR Jellies will represent Local Enterprise Office Mayo at the prestigious awards on Thursday, May 22, in the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin.

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.

John Magee, head of enterprise with Mayo County Council, commented: “The National Enterprise Awards serve to highlight the very best businesses that the Local Enterprise Offices are working with across the country. The diversity of sectors and innovation shown again this year is outstanding and the winners will no doubt produce businesses destined for international success.”

He added: “WONDR Jellies is an impressive early-stage business with an attractive product and a clear business plan, and I expect them to be a very competitive candidate in this year’s awards.”

Local Enterprise Office Mayo have had previous success at the awards. Last year, Cytidel Security (Castlebar) won the Innovation Prize, and in 2023, Advanced Cosmetics (Ballina) won the competition outright.

Along with WONDR Jellies, there is a selection of food businesses in the running this year, including Naked Bakes from South Dublin, SOS Cookies from Limerick, and Fused by Fiona Uyema from Kildare.

The finalists compete for a prize fund of €50,000 and along with an overall National Enterprise of the Year winner there are categories prizes for Best Start-Up, Best Export Business, an Innovation Award, a One-to-Watch Award, and a Sustainability Award. There is also an Outstanding Achievement Award for a business that started with their Local Enterprise Office and has gone on to achieve international growth with the assistance of Enterprise Ireland.

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, working 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.