Decontamination Technical Services Ltd (DTS), a Tullamore-based company supported by Local Enterprise Office Offaly, has won the Midlands Regional Award at the 25th National Enterprise Awards. The event took place at the Mansion House in Dublin on May 23, 2025. DTS is a global leader in sterilisation validation and decontamination innovation, serving over 400 clients worldwide in healthcare, life sciences, and government sectors.
The company provides independent solutions to ensure the highest standards of safety, compliance, and precision. SPRYT, a virtual assistant designed to manage patient appointments through SMS communications, was the overall winner at the National Enterprise Awards. The technology aims to reduce no-shows and optimize workflow for doctors and consultants.
Minister of State for Small Business, Retail, and Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, praised the finalists at the event, stating, “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.”
Carol Gibbons, Head of Entrepreneurship and Local Enterprise at Enterprise Ireland, also commended the high calibre of the businesses, saying, “The vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and innovation within Irish enterprise are impressive.
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.”
The Local Enterprise Offices run several initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country, including Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and the Local Enterprise Showcase. Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the country by offering mentoring, training, expert advice, and financial support to small businesses. SPRYT, a Monaghan-based digital healthcare company, has won the top prize at the National Enterprise Awards.
Founded by Daragh Donohoe and Neill Dunwoody in 2022, SPRYT aims to simplify medical appointment bookings for patients while increasing appointment attendance for healthcare providers through the use of artificial intelligence. The software enables patients to book, change, and pay for appointments via instant messaging and interact with an AI receptionist named Asa. It also allows healthcare providers to predict which patients are least likely to attend an appointment based on various factors, with the goal of reducing no-shows and missed appointments.
SPRYT has already been adopted by several GPs and clinics across Ireland, and its AI receptionist tool has been piloted with the NHS in the UK. Supported by the Local Enterprise Office in Monaghan, the company is now preparing for expansion into the UK, US, and wider EU markets. The National Enterprise Awards, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Office, celebrate the best small businesses in Ireland.
This year’s winners share a €50,000 investment fund.
Midlands regional award recognition in Dublin
Several other category winners were also announced, including MoneySherpa, supported by Local Enterprise Office Louth, which won the Innovation Award for its efforts to streamline the home buying process.
Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, said the awards highlight companies ready to scale up into international markets. He added, “We have some amazing people across the country, and many have started businesses that are taking on the world. Look at some of our previous winners like Pestle & Mortar, Bevcraft, and Advanced Cosmetics.
As the Local Enterprise Offices, we will continue to encourage and support great ideas and new businesses because we have the entrepreneurs to make amazing global companies.”
Seabound Engineering, a Donegal-based boatbuilder supported by Local Enterprise Office Donegal, has won the Best Export Award at this year’s National Enterprise Awards. The awards, celebrating their 25th year, took place at the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday, May 22nd. This is the third consecutive year a Donegal business has been recognised at the National Enterprise Awards, following wins by Living Green in 2024 and Silver Strand Rope Works in 2023, all representing Inishowen.
Seabound Engineering, based in Greencastle, specializes in manufacturing custom-built aluminium vessels for the aquaculture and marine sectors. The company has built a strong international reputation for its innovation, design excellence, and high-quality construction. It is currently Ireland’s only SCMS-certified aluminium shipyard and exports vessels ranging in value from €120,000 to €3.2 million across various industries, including aquaculture, tourism, and search and rescue.
Thomas Havlin took over the business, originally founded by his father, in 2019. Under his leadership, Seabound expanded its vision and launched its first boat in 2020. The team’s expertise and innovation have led to industry-firsts such as Ireland’s largest aluminium catamaran and the country’s first amphibious vessel.
Havlin said, “We’re incredibly proud to bring this award back to Donegal. It’s a great recognition of the skill and commitment of our team, and a tribute to the strong maritime heritage of Greencastle. Our goal has always been to show what’s possible from the northwest, and this award reinforces that.”
Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise Donegal, congratulated the team, saying, “Seabound Engineering’s win at the National Enterprise Awards is a proud moment for Donegal and a shining example of the world-class innovation coming out of Inishowen.
This marks the third year in a row a business from the peninsula has brought home a national award – a remarkable achievement that reflects the strength of the region’s enterprise sector. We’re delighted to celebrate Seabound’s success – it’s a testament to the incredible talent, resilience, and ambition that exists right here in the northwest.”
The Local Enterprise Offices, established in 2014, are an essential resource for entrepreneurs looking to start a business or small businesses seeking support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception, they have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the country, working with thousands of client companies in diverse sectors by offering mentoring, training, expert advice, and financial supports.
