Entrepreneur, Anne Bedos, who founded Rothar – a bike shop with a social focus – has won the 2011 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Award. Rothar is a not-for-profit organisation that recycles discarded bikes and provides training and job opportunities to people from disadvantaged communities. Operating from Phibsboro, Dublin, this community-based bike shop sells refurbished bicycles, accessories and second hand parts and offers classes on bicycle repairs. Ms. Bedos wins €10,000 in cash and over €100,000 worth of mentoring and consultancy services from a variety of blue chip companies.
Originally from France, Anne Bedos moved to Ireland in 2004. She founded Rothar in 2008 after working in the charity and community development sector for more than 10 years. To date, Rothar has salvaged over 250 bikes, diverting 4 tonnes of waste from landfill. It works closely with youth groups to train at-risk youth in bicycle mechanics as well as building skills in basic business concepts. With a steady revenue stream from the sale of refurbished bicycles, Rothar is financially self-sustainable. A political scientist specialising in social inclusion and gender equality, Anne is also an enthusiastic cyclist - and Rothar combines all these passions!
The 2011 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards were presented at a ceremony today (Thursday 20th January) in Mason Hayes+Curran, Barrow Street, Dublin by Dr. Chris Horn and Ms. Damini Kumar, European Ambassador for Creativity & Innovation. Businessman, Alfie Kane chaired the panel of judges for the Awards.
For more on Rothar, please visit: www.rothar.ie
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David Manley Media Award
The second David Manley Media Award was presented today and was awarded to John Kennedy of Silicon Republic. John was commended on his dedication and commitment to regular coverage of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs. The judges for this Award were Dr. Thomas Cooney, Director - Institute for Minority Entrepreneurship at DIT and Nicola Byrne, founder and managing director of 11890 and the judging was overseen by Dr. Chris Horn.
The David Manley Media Award is run with the support of Kantar Media and Managing Director, Dan Halliwell presented John with his Award.
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A very inspiring approach to business entrepreneurship! It has given me the idea what business should I try with lesser capital. Rothar is a very good example..
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Hey, nice site you have here! Keep up the excellent work!
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