A SHANNON-BASED company which manufactures and exports sports nutrition supplements, and a supplier of dry ice products to pharmaceutical and aviation companies are among the eight finalists for the National Enterprise Awards, announced yesterday in Dublin.

The annual award scheme, which is run by the county and city enterprise boards, aims to reward innovative and successful small businesses across the country. Small businesses which employ up to 10 people are eligible to apply.

There are 35 county and city enterprise boards, which provide financial and other help to “micro-enterprises”.

Earlier this month it was announced that €3.3 million in extra funding was being made available to the enterprise boards until the end of the year, with the aim of creating up to 450 jobs.

Christine Charlton from the county and city enterprise boards said yesterday that the boards had seen a strong increase in the number of businesses applying for support in the last year.

The winners will be announced on November 11th.