What Happened at Lion’s Den 2024?
Lion’s Den is more than just a competition—it has been a launchpad for some of the most exciting food and beverage businesses over the last seven years. Wednesday 25th September 2024 brought a whole new event to Lion’s Den and Dublin Food Chain – a collaboration with the four Dublin Local Enterprise Offices (LEO). Designed to spotlight Dublin’s emerging food and beverage brands, the competition brings together ambitious entrepreneurs, game-changing startups and forward-thinking producers, all competing for the opportunity to win a €6,000 prize. This year, we attracted food and beverage industry leaders from all corners of Dublin, fostering valuable connections and engagement throughout the event.
How It All Happened
Our final five were shortlisted from a long list of truly impressive applicants. Every year the selection process is more difficult. Our selected five startup producers came together in the studio here at Bradley: The Brand Agency to get to know each other (and the competition!).
They then pitched their business to our panel of industry professionals and forward-thinking foodies. Not only this, but to an audience of like-minded individuals.
Our Lions
Our judges included Mary Morrissey who is in charge of the Prepared Consumer Food and Client Engagement sector within Bord Bia, Santina Kennedy, Food Consultant working with Irish food and drinks businesses, and Laura McCarthy, founder of Drink Botanicals Ireland and former finalist of Lion’s Den 2018.
With stiff competition at hand, they had a hard job of discerning who would take hold of the €6,000 prize.
Lion’s Den Award
We saw stellar pitches from Sylvia Kennedy of Treats by Sylvia, Marian Garcia Vivolo of Flavouritos, Gary Clarkin of GOATS OATS, Andrew Brady and Andrea Bustos of Garnacha and Alice Tevlin of RUA Foods. A huge congratulations to Gary Clarkin of GOATS OATS for taking home the win! It definitely wasn’t an easy task for our judges!
What’s in the Prize?
Prize includes €5,000 agency spend with yours truly, Bradley: The Brand Agency and an additional €1,000 ad spend. We work with our winners to help elevate their brand with strategy, planning, creative, and evaluation. This, along with insights and mentoring from the Bradley Team along the way.
More to Come!
The calibre of applications was higher than ever this year. It’s clear to see that Dublin’s food and beverage industry is alive and well, getting stronger year by year. We’re already looking forward to Lion’s Den 2025! Keep up to date on www.lionsden.ie or @lionsdenevent_ on Instagram, and with Bradley across Instagram and Linkedin for more.
