Lion’s Den 2024 Finalists 

Fuelling Dublin’s Food and Beverage Innovation

Lion’s Den is more than just a competition—it’s the launchpad for some of Dublin’s most exciting food and beverage businesses over the last seven years – and long may it continue. This year, we took it to a whole new level, partnering with Dublin Food Chain to create an event that went beyond the ordinary. In collaboration with the four Dublin Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), we brought together a panel of industry experts to spotlight and support the next generation of food innovators in Dublin 

The Next Chapter of Food Entrepreneurs

This year, we witnessed an incredible lineup of pitches, bursting with creativity and passion. From Sylvia Kennedy of Treats by Sylvia, to Marian Garcia Vivolo of Flavouritos, Andrew Brady and Andrea Bustos of Garnacha, and Alice Tevlin of RUA Foods—the finalists left us inspired and excited for Dublin’s food scene. A huge congratulations to Gary Clarkin of GOATS OATS, whose pitch stood out among the stellar competition, taking home the prize!

But here’s the inspiring story of Lion’s Den – how it fuels the entrepreneurial spirit of its participants.

Here’s what the Lion’s Den Finalists of 2024 had to say:

Sylvia Kennedy – Treats by Sylvia: “A Network of Inspiration”

“Being with the other finalists has filled me with new enthusiasm and ideas on how to grow.”

For Sylvia, Lion’s Den wasn’t just a competition—it was a powerful source of that inspiration. The passion and dedication she witnessed from her fellow competitors brought up a spur of energy within her, sparking new ideas for growth. This is the magic of Lion’s Den. Bringing together Dublin’s top food and beverage startups to form invaluable connections. They share their knowledge and inspire one another for the next step in their journey.

Andrea Bustos & Andrew Brady – Garnacha: “A Fresh Perspective”

“It was nice to look back at our business and see how far we’ve come because you don’t really do that when you’re living day to day.”

For Andrea and Andrew, Lion’s Den was a chance to hit pause and reflect on their journey so far. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily running of a business. The Lion’s Den competition gave them the opportunity to step back and celebrate their progress. More importantly, it reminded them they aren’t alone. Every finalist at Lion’s Den is navigating similar highs and lows of entrepreneurship. We’re creating an important community of support.

Marian Garcia Vivolo – Flavouritos: “Embracing My Brand”

“It’s really inspiring because it helped me see me as a brand and how I want to approach my marketing design.”

Lion’s Den didn’t just challenge Marian to perfect her pitch. It helped her reconnect with the heart of her brand Flavouritos. Taking part in the Lion’s Den competition made her more confident about how she can continue bringing her Latin heritage to the forefront. It shapes her brand’s identity in a way that feels authentic and exciting. For Marian, this was more than an event. It was a turning point in how she will carry her brand forward.

Alice Tevlin – RUA Foods: “Beyond the Product”

“You can have the best-tasting product in the world, but you have to market it, get it out there, and talk about it.”

For Alice, Lion’s Den was a reminder that being an entrepreneur is about more than just creating an amazing product. It’s also about putting yourself out there with it. The competition gave her the platform to practise promoting her brand and product. It has pushed her to think beyond the kitchen and embrace the challenges of marketing her product to the world.

Creating Connections and Opportunities

Designed to spotlight Dublin’s emerging food and beverage brands, Lion’s Den is where ambition meets opportunity for our food and beverage producers. This competition brought together forward-thinking entrepreneurs, game-changing startups, and industry leaders. This year’s event didn’t just foster valuable connections. We hope it fuelled the future of Dublin’s food and beverage landscape, helping businesses to grow and thrive.

With a €6,000 prize up for grabs, the stakes were high for our Lion’s Den 2024 Finalists—but the true value of Lion’s Den lies in the experience, the inspiration, and the community it builds. Here’s to another year of innovation, growth, and success. Will you be part of 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