Co Tyrone Business Owner Laura Murphy Named in Forbes 30 Under 30 in Proud Moment for Northern Ireland
Laura Murphy, a 29-year-old entrepreneur from County Tyrone, has been named in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list for 2026, recognised in the Art and Culture category for her rapidly growing natural energy brand, Oatco Superfuel — a proud moment for Northern Ireland that highlights the entrepreneurial talent emerging from the region.
Background
The Forbes 30 Under 30 list is one of the most coveted recognitions in the global business world, celebrating the brightest young entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders across a range of industries. To be named on the European list is a significant achievement that places Laura Murphy in the company of some of the continent's most exciting young business minds. For Northern Ireland, a region that has worked hard to build its reputation as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, the recognition carries particular significance.
Murphy founded Oatco Superfuel in 2024, building the brand from the ground up in County Tyrone. The company specialises in oat-based, on-the-go products designed to provide sustained energy — a proposition that has resonated strongly with health-conscious consumers across Ireland and the UK. In just two years, Oatco Superfuel has secured over 800 stockists, including major retailers such as Tesco and Aldi, and has even supplied Google's European headquarters. In 2025, the company generated over $930,000 in revenue, a remarkable achievement for a startup of its age and size.
Murphy's entrepreneurial journey gained further national attention when she appeared on the BBC One programme Dragons' Den, where she successfully pitched her business and secured investment offers from three of the Dragons — a rare and impressive feat that brought Oatco Superfuel to a mass audience.
Key Developments
The Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe recognition places Laura Murphy among the most celebrated young entrepreneurs on the continent. She described the achievement as "an absolute dream," adding: "I cannot put into words what this means to me. This is a proud moment for everyone involved in our business which has been built from the ground up in Co Tyrone." The recognition in the Art and Culture category reflects the creative and innovative approach Murphy has brought to the natural food and energy sector, building a brand identity that has resonated far beyond the borders of Northern Ireland.
The success of Oatco Superfuel is a testament to the quality of entrepreneurial talent that Northern Ireland produces, and to the determination of young people from the region to build world-class businesses at home rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere. Murphy's story — from a startup in County Tyrone to a Forbes-recognised brand stocked in major retailers across two countries — is the kind of narrative that the region's economic development agencies have long sought to amplify.
Why It Matters
Laura Murphy's Forbes recognition matters for Northern Ireland on multiple levels. It demonstrates that world-class entrepreneurship can emerge from any corner of the region, not just from the major urban centres. It provides a powerful role model for young people — particularly young women — who aspire to build businesses of their own. And it adds to a growing body of evidence that Northern Ireland's entrepreneurial ecosystem is maturing, producing companies capable of competing and winning on a European and global stage. At a time when the region is working to attract investment and retain talent, stories like Murphy's are invaluable in shaping perceptions of what is possible.
Local Impact
For County Tyrone and Northern Ireland more broadly, Laura Murphy's Forbes recognition is a source of genuine community pride. The success of Oatco Superfuel — a brand built from scratch in a rural part of Northern Ireland and now stocked in some of the UK and Ireland's biggest retailers — demonstrates that geography need not be a barrier to ambition. Local enterprise agencies, schools, and business networks will undoubtedly point to Murphy's achievement as an inspiration for the next generation of Northern Irish entrepreneurs. The recognition also shines a light on the natural food and health sector as an area of growing opportunity for the region's economy.
What's Next
With Forbes recognition behind her and a rapidly growing distribution network, Laura Murphy and Oatco Superfuel are well positioned for the next phase of growth. The brand's presence in major retailers across Ireland and the UK provides a strong platform for further expansion, and the profile boost from the Forbes listing is likely to open new doors in terms of investment, partnerships, and international markets. Northern Ireland will be watching with pride as one of its own continues to make her mark on the global stage. For more, see Forbes and The Impartial Reporter.
