A PATRIOTIC ENTREPRENEUR is hoping his latest idea will help a couple of Irish start-up businesses gain success and create new jobs along the way.

Niall Harbison, co-founder of the recently acquired Simply Zesty, has launched a competition to give away €20,000 of his new-found fortune to two worthy start-up ventures.

Harbison’s social media agency, which he runswith his partner Lauren Fisher, was bought by U.TV Media for £1.7 million but further payments of up to £5 million could be made, depending on future performance.

That company was started using just under €10,000 so Harbison decided to give away that amount…twice.

“I’d love to find two similar business to invest this money in,” he wrote on his blog. “…my goal for this is to hopefully create some jobs in Ireland and get people back working.”

In fact, that will be one of the main factors in deciding this…does it have the potential to create 20 to 30 jobs within a couple of years, just like Simply Zesty has?

Niall explains more himself here:

Harbison says he will not be involved in the chosen businesses – he has the money, but not the time. He will take a 10 per cent equity stake in the business but promises to be the “most silent partner you could ever ask for”.

Just three days in, there has already been much interest in the prizes with submissions entered for a mobile baked potato enterprise, a film production company and a fantasy sports game.

If you think you have a better idea, check out the competitions on Niall Harbison’s blog. The deadline is Monday, 18 June at 5pm.