Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur has been announced as software developer Eamon Keane.
The Dublin man (28) co-founded a parcel-tracking software company Xpreso last year, after dropping out of his PhD studies.
He will win a €50,000 investment fund for his business.
Jobs Minister Richard Bruton presented the prize at Google headquarters in Dublin.
Mr Bruton also announced two other winners at today's awards. The Best New Idea award and €20,000 investment prize went to Philip Martin from Blanco Nino in Tipperary.
And the Best Established Business with Add On award and €30,000 investment prize went to Dean Gammell from The Group System in Westmeath.
Each of the finalists also wins a place at the Google Adopt a Start Up programme next year.
Meanwhile, the Google award for Best Online Promotion of a Business went to Padraig O'Scanaill from Fund Recs in Waterford.
Mr Bruton says these people are very important for the economy.
Some 24 young entrepreneurs from 17 counties were competing in the first ever national finals of Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition.
Shane Byrne and Emma-Rose Conroy are two of the nominees. They spoke to Andrea Gilligan earlier:
