New York, USA / Dublin, Ireland – Ireland is celebrating a significant victory on the global entrepreneurial stage, as 16-year-old Carla McDonnell was named the world champion of the NFTE’s 2025 World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.
Competing against student entrepreneurs from across the globe, McDonnell, who represented Foróige in Ireland, won the prestigious title with her innovative business idea: “Vax Chill.” Vax Chill is a compact, highly practical cooling solution specifically designed for the preservation of livestock vaccines on rural farms.
Her product addresses a critical issue for the agricultural sector by providing a reliable and portable means to maintain the required temperature for animal vaccines, thereby reducing costly wastage and ensuring herd health.
The global competition, which highlights youth-led business leadership, recognized McDonnell’s venture for its creativity, practicality, and clear potential to drive meaningful change in the farming community. She was awarded a $5,000 grand prize to further develop her enterprise.
