Lahinch Surf Shop, Ireland’s oldest surfing retailer, has been named the overall winner of the 2025 You’re the Business competition, a national initiative led by Google in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO).
The family-owned business, located on the scenic Lahinch promenade in County Clare, was selected for its innovative use of digital tools to expand and modernize its operations. As the top prize winner, Lahinch Surf Shop will receive a bespoke AI-powered advertising campaign developed by Google’s AI team in collaboration with experts in the field.
In total, 24 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across Ireland were recognized for their digital innovation. Winners span various industries, including print, food production, and custom manufacturing. Each will receive a tailored digital support package, including a one-year Google Workspace Business subscription featuring AI tools such as Gemini Advanced and NotebookLM. They will also benefit from one-on-one consultations with Google experts and gain access to exclusive resources, digital assets, and a commemorative trophy. All winners are invited to attend a dedicated celebration event at Google’s EMEA headquarters in Dublin.
“It’s an incredible honour to be recognised as part of the You’re the Business campaign,” said Eileesh Buckley, co-owner of Lahinch Surf Shop. “We’ve always believed in the power of digital tools to connect meaningfully with our customers. This AI-powered campaign is a huge opportunity for us to elevate our digital presence.”
The You’re the Business programme, now in its third year, provides free digital training and resources to Irish businesses through its online platform. This year’s edition introduced a new focus on artificial intelligence, offering modules on how SMEs can adopt AI to streamline operations and enhance customer engagement.
Cera Ward, Managing Director of Large Customer Solutions at Google Ireland, emphasized the importance of SMEs in the national economy.
“Small businesses make up 90% of enterprises in Ireland,” Ward said. “Initiatives like You’re the Business are about empowering them to embrace digital tools and AI to unlock growth. We’re proud to work alongside Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices to support these businesses.”
The competition element of the initiative invited businesses to submit written accounts of how they’ve leveraged digital tools to grow or sustain their operations online. Winners were selected based on their demonstrated commitment to digital transformation.
Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, highlighted the programme’s impact on the SME sector.
“Digital innovation has become essential for the growth and competitiveness of Irish SMEs,” Comerford said. “Through You’re the Business, Google’s expertise is helping companies build stronger online presences and compete globally. Congratulations to all this year’s winners — we look forward to supporting their continued success.”