Ireland France Business Awards 2026 Call for Applications

Official Partner

 

NetworkIrlande and The France Ireland Chamber of Commerce are pleased to inform you of their collaboration once again this year on the Ireland France Business Awards recognising excellence in the economic relationship between France and Ireland.

 

Best Irish Company in France

Best French Company in Ireland

Franco-Irish Business - Newcomer of the Year

 

   

Key Dates 2026

Closing date for receipt of entries: Wednesday 16th September at 12 noon

Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony Bridge Pont Alexandre III, Paris 26th November 2026.

 

Awards

The Awards serve to acknowledge Irish and French companies who have made an exceptional contribution to the development of trade and investment between Ireland and France.

This year, the Awards will be held in Paris in the presence of H.E. Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland to France and Honorary President of NetworkIrlande and the Ambassador of France to Ireland and Honorary President of the France Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

We look forward to welcoming the winning companies and members of NetworkIrlande and the France Ireland Chamber of Commerce at the Awards ceremony and Gala dinner in the Bridge Pont Alexandre III, Paris on Thursday 26th November 2026.

 

Jury Panel 2026

Winners will be chosen by a Jury consisting of senior members of both the public and private sectors in Ireland and France and will be chaired by Eoin Scott, Company Secretary, FICC.

Members of the Jury include Ailbhe Earley (VP Life Sciences, IDA), Maxime Augé (Head of Economic Dept, French Embassy in Ireland), Louisa Heneghan (Head of Economic & Trade Affairs Embassy of Ireland in France), Stella Clarke (President CCE Irlande), Orla Noonan (Independent Director at TF1 Agence Presse & SMCP), Sandra Papet (Director, Business France Ireland), Mary Ryan (CEO CACI Ireland) and Catriona Ward (Manager, Enterprise Ireland France).

 

Entry Criteria

Best French Company in Ireland: 

• Demonstrate that the company applying is a registered French business headquartered, managed and with its main activity in France.
• Demonstrate that the company applying has been doing business in both Ireland and France for at least two years and can demonstrate investment in Ireland.
• Development of business activity in France and/or Ireland.
• Demonstrate that the company is a high quality employer (working environment, employment benefits, HR management).
• Demonstrate that the employment between Ireland & France has increased positively from the viewpoint of both countries.
• Demonstrate innovation.
• Commited to Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, including climate change.
• A company who has won an award in this category will not be considered for an award in that category for a period of two years after winning the award.

Apply here: Best French Company in Ireland

Best Irish Company in France:

• Demonstrate that the company applying is a registered Irish business headquartered, managed and with its main activity in Ireland.
• Demonstrate that the company applying has been doing business in both Ireland and France for at least two years and can demonstrate investment in France.
• Development of business activity in France and/or Ireland.
• Demonstrate that the company is a high quality employer (working environment, employment benefits, HR management).
• Demonstrate that the employment between Ireland & France has increased positively from the viewpoint of both countries.
• Demonstrate innovation.
• Commited to Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, including climate change.
• A company who has won an award in this category will not be considered for an award in that category for a period of two years after winning the award.

Apply here: Best Irish Company in France

Entry Criteria for Franco-Irish Trailblazer of the Year Award

In recognition of the importance for companies to further the development of trade between Ireland and France, the Jury have decided to dedicate an award this year to companies who are successfully blazing a trail in the market which is not their native market.

The award will focus on criteria relevant to a company active in the Franco-Irish business world that is considered to be having considerable success in the country which is not their native market:

• Demonstration of a sustainable business proposition relevant to their non-native market that that is showing major growth
• Innovation
• Commitment to ESG and the circular economy
• Development of significant employment in Ireland, France or in both countries

Entry Requirements:

All SME or start-up businesses with a maximum of 250 employees are eligible to enter.

The company is:

• A registered French company targeting the Irish market
• A registered Irish company targeting the French market
• Is not a subsidiary of a larger business group nor a franchise (no larger company or group may have a shareholding of more than 50% of the company)
• In operation for at least two years 
• Demonstrating significant growth in the country (France or Ireland) which is not their home country

Apply here: Franco-Irish Trailblazer of the Year

A company which has previously won an award in one of the categories will not be considered for an award in that category for a period of two years after winning the award.

ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE CEO OR AN APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE
WINNING COMPANY IN EACH CATEGORY NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE TO ACCEPT THE AWARD AT THE
DEDICATED CEREMONY ON NOVEMBER 26th IN PARIS.

More information on request from:

NetworkIrlande
Email:  (business-awards@networkirlande.com)  
Address:   NetworkIrlande, C/o The Embassy of Ireland, 12 Avenue Foch, 75116 Paris

France Ireland Chamber of Commerce
Email: (info@franceireland.ie )
Phone: +353 1 644 9760
Address: France Ireland Chamber of Commerce, 27 Mount Street Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland