Shorla 2024 EY Entrepreneurs Of The Year

Sharon Cunningham and Orlaith Ryan of Shorla Oncology named overall 2024 EY Entrepreneurs Of The Year and John Mackey, Ruth Mackey, and David Mackey of Mbryonics Limited named 2024 EY Established Entrepreneurs Of The Year.

Shorla Oncology founders Sharon Cunningham and Orlaith Ryan have been named overall 2024 EY Entrepreneurs of the Year after successfully vying with 24 other businesses.

Siblings John Mackey, Ruth Mackey, and David Mackey of Mbryonics – who are at the cutting edge of developing satellite-based gigabit broadband technologies – were named 2024 EY Established Entrepreneurs of the Year.

Started in 2018 by Sharon Cunningham and Orlaith Ryan, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, business Shorla focuses on developing oncology drugs with a focus on rare, orphan and paediatric cancers. Together with a strong team of 35 scientists, clinicians and an extensive industry network, the company has an advanced pipeline of innovative drug products to treat a number of unmet patient needs.

Meanwhile the Mackeys from Mbryonics’ ambition is to make the west of Ireland a cutting-edge manufacturing hub. The young business is at the forefront of transforming satellite communications, datacoms and 5G wireless industries through cutting-edge wireless optical transport and Coherent Photonic Optical (CPO) transceiver technologies. This will ensure high-speed, secure communication infrastructure in space, air and on land that will surpass what’s possible on current technologies like Starlink.

Standing on the shoulders of giants

John Mackey, Ruth Makey and David Mackey of Mbryonics with their award. Photo: Naoise Culhane

“On behalf of EY, I extend my warmest congratulations to this year’s award winners,” said Roger Wallace, partner lead for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Programme.

“These inspiring business leaders embody true entrepreneurial spirit in their daily endeavours – from pioneering innovative concepts to demonstrating unwavering passion and commitment in their remarkable businesses.

“Each year, I’m astounded by the exceptional calibre of our finalists, and 2024 is no exception. This year’s finalists are an extraordinary group of entrepreneurs achieving phenomenal success both domestically and internationally. It has been a tremendous privilege to get to know them and learn about their businesses throughout this year’s programme. I am particularly heartened to see strong bonds of friendship and trust between this year’s group which are already evidently driving trade, mentorship and investment.

Wallace said that the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni community generates revenues of €25bn and employ more than 250,000 people across the island of Ireland.

“Their success is our collective success, and EY is committed to supporting them on their journey to realising their full potential and helping to shape the future with confidence.”

Ivor Queally, CEO of the QK Group South Africa was named 2024 EY International Entrepreneur Of The Year. Ivor is a director of one of Ireland’s largest privately owned agri-businesses, with multi-disciplined food manufacturing facilities located throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe and Southern Africa.

Founded in 2004, QK Group South Africa operates across a number of different sectors from meat processing, cold storage and warehousing, frozen foods manufacturing, pet food manufacturing and the processing of animal by products. The company is also a significant importer of frozen food products from around the world and the second largest manufacturer of pet food in South Africa.

Duncan O’Toole, Founder of Captured Carbon Ltd, was the recipient of the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Sustainability award. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Sustainability Award recognises the critical importance of innovative leadership in meeting our collective sustainability challenges.

Captured Carbon Ltd is a renewable energy trading and consulting company committed to accelerating the decarbonisation of the energy market. The company is the primary broker of green power and gas contracts in Ireland and advises the majority of Ireland’s energy retailers on how best to meet their renewable electricity targets. It also trades carbon on behalf of large emitters that wish to reduce their carbon emissions.

“On behalf of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year judging panel, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of this year’s finalists,” said Harry Hughes, EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 and chair of the judging panel.

“They represent an exceptional group of dynamic business leaders. Once again, the calibre of finalists was extraordinarily high, making the judging process a challenging one. I would like to especially congratulate this year’s winners. I am genuinely excited about what the future holds for them and look forward to celebrating their continued success. I would also like to warmly welcome the entire cohort of this year’s finalists into the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Alumni community. I am confident they will continue to make a significant and positive impact.”

Each year, EY also presents a Special Recognition Award to individuals who have made a significant contribution to life on the island of Ireland through their vision, innovation, and commitment to excellence. This year, the prestigious honour was awarded to former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish politics and the prosperity of Ireland.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland programme is supported by Premium Corporate Sponsor Julius Baer International, and Government sponsors Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland.

Main image at top: Shorla Oncology founders Sharon Cunningham and Orlaith Ryan, overall winners of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024