Business

Entrepreneurs invited to make ‘ultimate pitch’ for business investment

Competition to secure £5,000 is open to businesses across north’s 11 council areas

Entrepreneurs from across the north are being given the chance to secure up to £5,000 in investment for their business idea with the launch of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch
Launching The Ultimate Pitch are (from left) Councillor Wesley Brown, Mid-Ulster District Council; Councillor Samuel Nelson, Belfast City Council; Alderman Allan Ewart, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Keeva Murtagh, PMO, Belfast City Council; Maura Bettes, Ards and North Down Borough Council; Matthew Mulligan, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council; Sean Keenan, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council; and Evan Flynn, Derry City and Strabane District Council (Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye/Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye )
By Staff reporter

Entrepreneurs from across the north are being given the chance to secure up to £5,000 in investment for their business idea with the launch of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch.

The new ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition, launched by the government-backed enterprise support service, is open to individuals, businesses and social enterprises of all shapes and sizes and in every sector.

Heats will take place across each of Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas, with entrants making the ‘ultimate pitch’ to a panel of judges.

Local heat winners will then progress to the final with an overall winner announced at a special event in November, coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Alderman Allan Ewart, vice-chair of the regeneration and growth committee at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council said: “Go Succeed has already made an incredible impact on businesses and entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland through our series of workshops, master classes, mentorship programmes, grants, and other services.

“It is clear that this region is a place rich with commercial ingenuity, new ways of thinking and unique business ideas, and that’s exactly what we want to celebrate with The Ultimate Pitch.

Entrepreneurs from across the north are being given the chance to secure up to £5,000 in investment for their business idea with the launch of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch
This might be the scene when would-be entrepreneurs pitch their idea to a panel of judges drawn from across the business and civic communities (Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye/Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye )

“Whether you have an idea for a brand new start-up; already have an existing business that is preparing to launch a new product or service; or you just need help unlocking the next stage of growth, we want to hear from you.”

In addition to an overall winner who will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, individual prizes will include the Go Succeed Impact Award for the best social enterprise, the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award and the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16-25 year-old entrepreneur.

Entrants have until September 12 to apply to the competition (details at www.go-succeed.com/TheUltimatePitch), with local heats being held within council areas throughout October. The final will take place in Innovation Factory Belfast on November 21.

Go Succeed (www.go-succeed.com) supports entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses with easy-to-access advice and support including mentoring, master classes, peer networks, access to grant funding and a business plan, at every stage of their growth journey.