Laois skincare business wins top Google competition

A Laois business has been named as a winner in  Google’s You’re the Business Competition. Angelina George Skincare was one of 24 winning small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across Ireland to be recognised by Google, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO).

The Portlaoise based business will receive a digital support package from Google which includes a one-year Google Workspace Business subscription with access to AI-powered tools like Gemini Advanced and NotebookLM and a one-to-one consultation from Google experts on how to get the best out of Google Workspace. Winners will also receive a You’re the Business trophy and digital assets and are invited to attend a dedicated Winners event in Google’s EMEA HQ in Dublin.

Angelina Thai, founder of Angelina George Skincare said: "I was so thrilled to have been selected as one of this year's winners of Google's You're the Business competition. I am greatly looking forward to enhancing my digital skills as part of the programme and growing my business with Google."

The overall winner of this year’s You’re the Business competition was Lahinch Surf Shop in County Clare. The family-founded business was selected for its innovative use of digital tools to grow and evolve its operations. As the top winner, Lahinch Surf Shop will receive a truly unique prize: a custom AI-powered advertising prize developed by Google AI in collaboration with a team of AI experts.

READ NEXT: Waste company that's selling up bids to retain Laois operation

Cera Ward, Managing Director, Large Customer Solutions, Google Ireland said: “SMEs comprise 90% of all enterprises in Ireland. Businesses like Lahinch Surf Shop and all those we are celebrating today are an integral part of the economy generating employment and providing services across the country. Through You’re the Business we want to help founders leverage a range of digital tools, including AI, to help them reach their growth potential. We’ve been proud to partner with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices in the delivery of the programme and I want to congratulate all the winners announced today.”

Delivered by Google in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Office, You're the Business is an online platform offering digital training and tools to businesses in Ireland free of charge. Now in its third year, the initiative has taken on a new AI-focus with the online platform offering new training modules where users can explore AI tools and learn how AI can help them prepare for the future.  

The competition element rewards businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their journey. Entrants were asked to submit a written entry telling their story around how they’ve utilised or enhanced digital skills in order to help their business grow or succeed online.

Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, said; “The role of digital in the evolution and growth of any SME has never been so keenly felt than over the past number of years.  Giving them access to Google’s in-depth expertise through the You’re the Business programme is a fantastic step to help these companies maximise their online presence.  This programme along with the suite of online supports through the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland to help businesses digitise, is helping give them a competitive advantage both here and internationally.  Congratulations to all the winners today and we look forward to continuing to support them as they grow over the coming years.”