Pictured are Sean O'Sullivan of Mayo business Agus Arís, this year’s winner of the Micro Business Category for Design & Crafts Council Ireland Irish Business Design Challenge 2026 with Tom Watts, Head of Design, Design and Crafts Council Ireland.

Mayo business scoops €20k by winning prestigious accolade

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The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) announced the winners of the sixth Irish Business Design Challenge (IBDC), which celebrates micro and small businesses using sustainable design to create positive change.

Agus Arís from Mayo was the winner in the Micro Business category, while We Make Good from Dublin was the winner in the Small Business category, each receiving €20,000.

Agus Arís/badly made books was founded in 2015 and for the past ten years has been making recycled paper notebooks in Ireland using innovative methods of bookbinding that prioritise circular economy design alongside product quality and tactile user experience.

Founded by designer, writer and illustrator, Seán O Sullivan, badly made books has continued to expand its design remit, developing constantly to best meet the challenges of environmental design.

With a total prize fund of €50,000, IBDC recognises businesses that have developed innovative products, services or strategies to benefit the environment and society.

IBDC is for micro and small businesses that have identified a challenge or opportunity and developed a sustainable solution.

This includes businesses using sustainable design strategies to create new products or reimagine existing ones, as well as those reinventing their services to deliver positive environmental and social impact.

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