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Local entrepreneurs are gearing up to pitch their business ideas at a special event in Newcastle next month, with the winner securing £1,000 and a spot at the regional final where they could bag an additional £5,000 in investment.
Eleven hopefuls from across Newry, Mourne and Down have made the shortlist for the 'Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch' local heat, which takes place 15 October at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle.
The finalists represent a diverse range of business ideas. Ruchira Radhe Rangaprasad will be pitching Fibre First+, which provides daily nutrition sachets, while Sean Yalcin has developed AIMA OPEX, an AI-powered factory platform that prevents mistakes, cuts costs and boosts competitiveness. Kate Boyd runs a private skin clinic and will be hoping to impress the judges with her pitch.
Sarah McKiernan from Building It Better NI, an all-female DIY and construction training programme, is also through to the local heat, alongside Garrett Rafferty of Agri Comply, a digital compliance tool to simplify slurry compliance. Stuart Henry has developed Equipple, an EdTech platform that streamlines parent-teacher meetings and will be presenting his idea on the night.
Brendan Carragher of UNeed Power, which converts waste tyres into energy, is joined by Paul McCreery from Fibre UP, which sells soft drinks high in fibre, and Conrad Madden of Gift Wrap 4U. Rounding out the line-up are Paul Smiton, who has devised an equine safety release bar, and Hugh Patrick Morgan of Antigenesis, which develops antibody therapies for pets.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell said: "Many congratulations to all those that have made the local heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch. The incredible number of entries from across the Newry, Mourne, and Down district illustrates the depth of entrepreneurial talent locally and shows just what an achievement it is to have been shortlisted. We wish the very best of luck to all finalists, and to all those entrepreneurs that took the time to enter. The future of our local economy is obviously in very safe hands."
Heat winners from each of Northern Ireland's 11 councils will progress to The Ultimate Pitch regional final at Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy on 19 November. The overall winner at the regional final will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, £5,000 investment and a prize package including a photography session supplied by Brian Thompson Photography, podcast recording session supplied by Attention X Studio NI, membership of Toastmasters and a media training session supplied by LK Communications.
Winners of sub-categories at the regional final, which 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, will also receive £1,500 towards their business idea. Members of the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite regional finalist to win the People's Choice Award, sponsored by Ardmore Group, with the winner also receiving a £1,500 cash prize.
Go Succeed is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland's 11 councils. The service supports entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses with easy-to-access advice and support, including mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks, access to grant funding and business planning, at every stage of their growth journey. More information is available at www.go-succeed.com.
