Vodafone backs SME Growth Initiative

Vodafone Business in Ireland is anticipating a surge in entries for this year’s Six Nations See Your Business Pitchside contest as increasing numbers of SMEs look to grow on a global.

The leading telecommunications provider is calling on the country’s most ambitious, innovative businesses to enter this year’s contest before the 13 February for a chance to win off-field and big screen exposure as part of the Six Nations games.

Worth over €25,000, in 2025 alone, over 6,000 SMEs entered the contest as they sought to grow their presence worldwide and attract new customers.

The companies were across a broad range of industries, from construction, engineering, retail, hospitality, agriculture and more – reflecting the diversity of successful SMEs across Ireland.

The two winning SME’s will see their brand displayed to over 50,000 fans in the Aviva Stadium and millions more worldwide during two of the IRFU’s home fixtures against Wales and Scotland.

This initiative aims to power expansion through unrivalled media exposure, helping SMEs attract new customers whilst enabling significant opportunities for growth in a challenging business landscape shaped by AI and rapid changes in innovation.

Previous winners of See Your Business Pitchside include:

• Urban Aran, a Waterford-based company focused on knitwear and sustainable fashion
• Killadoon Milk, a family-run dairy farm in Kildare that sells milk through vending machines
• JANDO, an independent, Dublin-based printmaking studio best known for its Dublin landmark prints

With latest CSO figures revealing there are 389,000 total enterprises and around 272,000 active SMEs in Ireland alone, See Your Business Pitchside forms part of Vodafone Ireland’s ongoing commitment to supporting Irish SMEs. The competition is open to Vodafone Business customers who operate as small to medium-sized enterprises. As connectivity and technology partner to six in ten Irish companies, Vodafone is confident it will exceed last year’s number of entries. The winning SMEs will also receive VIP match tickets, along with an exclusive invitation to the team’s Captain’s Run event.

To enter, companies simply need to visit the Vodafone.ie/business website and complete the online form.

Jo Gilfoy, director of Vodafone Business, commented: “SMEs are the backbone of Ireland’s economy, driving jobs, innovation and community growth.

“As digitalisation and AI continue to reshape how we work, the potential for Irish SMEs to scale and compete globally has never been greater, however, they need the right support and visibility to seize those opportunities. At Vodafone Ireland, we’re committed to backing them.

That’s why initiatives like See Your Business Pitchside are so important, helping SMEs grow their profile and accelerate their digital journey.”

Last November, Waterford-based Urban Aran saw its business showcased to over 700,000 viewers across RTÉ during the Ireland v South Africa game in the Autumn International Series, resulting in accelerated growth on a global scale.

Speaking about winning last year’s contest, Christine Murphy, founder of the Waterford-based knitwear company Urban Aran said: “Seeing Urban Aran’s name up in the Aviva Stadium in front of 50,000 people , — and millions more at home and across the world — was something I could never have imagined. It gave huge credibility to the brand. Website traffic went through the roof, and sales jumped straight away. The timing couldn’t have been better — so many men who saw the brand at the match ended up buying Christmas gifts. I’m sure their wives were delighted!”

Over the last five years, the ‘See Your Business Pitchside’ initiative has received hundreds of applications, testament to Vodafone’s ongoing commitment to helping SMEs across Ireland scale.

Previous winners include JANDO, Lotts & Co, The Farmhouse and Killadoon Milk.