Clarina businessman named Limerick's Best Young Entrepreneur

CLARINA businessman Chris Kelly has been named Limerick’s Best Young Entrepreneur.

The 20-year-old, a former Crescent College Comprehensive student, founded Pinpoint Innovations, which has developed a solution for providing better conditions for patients at University Hospital Limerick during operations.

Chris has augmented a patient and bed tracking system leading to increased efficiency and fewer cancellations.

At a ceremony in the Strand Hotel last night, the youngster also won the title of Best Start-Up Business, trading 18 months or less, at the event organised by the Local Enterprise Office Limerick.

“Shocked would be the word. I wasn’t really expecting it. It’s been a rollercoaster. But i’m delighted. We are on a scale-up at the moment, looking to hire more engineers, so having this award gives us the confidence to keep going and move forward,” Chris – who already employs six people – said.

“To keep that going would be phenomenal,” he added.

Congratulations to Nexus member @chrisPinpoint winner #ibyeLimerick . We're making space on the wall of fame. #nexuslife https://t.co/wTr2wdcVnf

— Nexus (@NexusUL) November 13, 2017

Elsewhere, Knocklong man Padraic Hayes took the title for best business idea, pre-trading.

And Dr Paddy Finn, who heads up Electricity Exchange, won the prize for best established business, trading more than 18 months.

The trio will represent Limerick in the regional final, set to take place in mid-January, with the overall final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur set for the Google headquarters in Dublin next March.

For more pictures and reaction, see the Limerick Leader print editions.