Eleven young Irish innovators and achievers in the fields of business, technology, sport, fashion and music have landed the keys to new Nissan cars after being selected as Nissan Generation Next ambassadors.
The new car ambassadors have been given a golden opportunity to follow their dream of making it on the national and world stage with the backing and support of Nissan after fending off competition from over 1,000 applicants.
They were among the 20 finalists put forward to a three week long online vote where members of the public cast over 100,000 votes to decide who would join the prestigious ambassad or programme for the coming year.
Each of the 11 ambassadors got to choose a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan which best suits their needs. Nissan will also provide the new ambassadors with valuable promotional and marketing support for one year
In the four years since it was launched the Nissan Generation Next ambassador programme has helped 30 young Irish leaders to overcome obstacles, to realise their potential and goals and to bring innovative ideas to life.
“Nissan Generation Next supports Ireland’s leaders of tomorrow. The standard of entry this year was exceptional. We had a difficult task to select 20 finalists and the 100,000 votes cast during the public vote is a terrific endorsement of the programme,†said James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland.
“This ambassadors joining this year’s programme are fearless about following their dreams and competing and succeeding on the world stage. We look forward to supporting them on their journey and to building on our proud record of helping Ireland’s future leaders and champions to realise their dreams,†he added.
The full list of Nissan Generation Next ambassadors for 2017 is as follows:
Tony Browne (22) â€" Boxer, Dublin
Tony has recently been named at number 9 in the Four Nations rankings for the light heavyweight division. Tony has long been regarded a serious boxing prospect, and is a serious contender to represent Ireland in Tokyo at the 2020 Olympic Games.
Richie Commins (23) - Founder Dashcabz, Galway
Richie is a tech graduate from NUI Galway who has created an innovative new service called DASHCABZ, that allows students to get a taxi home safely, even when they have no cash, bank card or phone. The pilot project started in Galway and is now rolling out to colleges and taxis drivers across the country.
Nicole Drought (23) - Racing Driver, Tipperary
Nicole Drought, is one of Ireland’s premier female racing drivers. She became the first woman to win in the Irish Touring Car Championship last year. That feat of achievement also led to her being named as the 2016 Irish Sportswoman of the Year.
Adam Harris (20) â€" As I am, Dublin
Adam is the founder and CEO of AsIAm.ie, an organisation working to build an Ireland where every person with autism can “live and succeed as they areâ€. Adam founded AsIAm.ie based on his experience of living with Aspergers Syndrome, a condition on the Autism Spectrum.
Chris Kelly (20) â€" Patient Tracking System Software, Limerick
Chris is on a mission to improve patient care in hospitals worldwide. His company, Pinpoint Innovations, has developed a patient tracking system that monitors the flow, efficiency and utilisation rates of operating theatres in hospitals. The company has partnered with the Perioperative Care team in the University Hospital Limerick and is piloting its first product, Xsonor, over the next six months.
Colin Keogh (28) â€" Co-founder of The Rapid Foundation, Wicklow
Colin works as an engineer in UCD and is determined to change the world by using Science and Technology to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. He utilises low cost disruptive technologies to make an impact on global issues and has already been named as one of ‘Forbes 30 under 30’ in Science and Medicine.
Niall Moloney (27) â€" PowCow, Dublin
Niall is a qualified dietitian and an expert in sports nutrition. He created Europe’s first high protein, low fat, frozen yogurt: Pow-Cow. He came up with the idea after discovering that his clients, who include Connacht Rugby, Irish Olympians, intercounty GAA players and other professional athletes, were struggling to find an enjoyable healthy dairy snack or treat.
Dave McGeady (36) â€" Wyldsson, Dublin
Dave McGeady, is the founder of Wyldsson a health snack company based in Tallaght. His he althy food products have become the snack of choice for Manchester United players, rugby internationals and Ryder Cup golfers.
Michael Onalimi (43) - Flavour Safari, Laois
Michael, from Mountmellick, realised a long held dream when he launched his business, Flavour Safari Sauces, which is Ireland’s first African inspired sauce range. Flavour Safari is already a proud Food Academy Producer with Super Valu and Michael is currently working on securing new store listings across the country and on exporting his range of sauces into the U.K.
Kormac O’Halloran (37) â€" Performer, Producer and DJ, Dublin
Kormac is a multi-instrumentalist musician, producer and DJ from Dublin. Well known for his live performances, Kormac performs with a full ensemble, known as Kormac’s Big Band, who’ve appeared on primetime shows and at the biggest music festivals. His music is often used in TV advertising and his track ‘Wash My Hands’ has just been selected for us e in the forthcoming John Malkovich/Glen Close Movie, ‘The Wilde Wedding’. His latest album features legendary Trainspotting author Irvine Walsh.
Chupi Sweetman (33) - Jewellery designer, Dublin
Chupi is a young Dublin jewellery designer who quit her job to train as a goldsmith before creating a multi award winning international jewellery brand. Her jewellery brand ‘Chupi’ is stocked in stores from Paris to Tokyo.
