County Cork’s Top Innovators Selected for National Enterprise Awards
Two emerging Cork-based businesses, supported by Cork County Council’s Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), have progressed to the finals of the National Enterprise Awards. ‘Breakthrough Maths’ and ‘HappyPath Labs Ltd.’ will go on compete against 29 other businesses for a share of the €35,000 winner’s prize fund.
Representing LEO South Cork, Breakthrough Maths Limited was founded by TJ Hegarty. The company delivers online maths tutoring for primary and secondary students. Since 2020, Breakthrough Maths has grown from eight students to over 2,000 each week. The custom-built platform tracks student progress to personalise learning, ensuring every student gets the support they need. The company is planning to expand its operations to the UK and the US in the coming year.
Representing LEO Cork North & West, HappyPath Labs develops advanced software solutions that enhance customer service operations. The Clonakilty based company specialises in AI-powered analytics and scalable customer contact technology, helping businesses streamline their customer interactions and improve response times. Founded by Gavin Coakley, David Hayes, and Denis McCarthy, HappyPath Labs started as a team of three and has grown to eight employees, with plans to expand to 15 in the next two years.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll praised the winners, saying,
Mayor
The success of Breakthrough Maths and HappyPath Labs is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in our county. These companies are setting new standards in education and customer service, proving that Cork businesses are leading the way in innovation, and I have no doubt they will continue to make us proud on the national stage.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell said,
Moira Murrell
Chief Executive
New opportunities are constantly emerging, and our local entrepreneurs are stepping up to meet these challenges and shape the future. The Local Enterprise Offices play a vital role in supporting this journey, and I encourage every aspiring business to make use of the available resources. With the right support, there is no limit to what can be achieved.
Commenting on the award, TJ Hegarty of Breakthrough Maths said, “Since the beginning our goal has always been to provide high-quality, accessible maths education for students of all abilities. The support from LEO South Cork has been integral to our growth, from mentoring to funding opportunities, they have supported us to scale and expand our services. We are thrilled to represent our region at the national awards.”
Gavin Coakley of HappyPath Labs Ltd. said, "At HappyPath Labs, we're all about using smart technology to make customer service smoother and more efficient. With the support of the LEO Cork North and West we have been able to expand on our initial vision to bring in new talent and extend our reach. Winning this award is a huge moment for us. It shows how far we've come, but also how much more we can achieve. The future is full of opportunity, and we're excited to see where it takes us.”
Last year, Cork County Council’s LEO offices in South Cork and Cork North & West approved grants totalling over €2 million to assist local businesses. Further details about the supports available to start-ups and small businesses can be found at www.localenterprise.ie