Entrepreneurs from across Ards and North Down battle to make 'The Ultimate Pitch'

Entrepreneurs from across Ards and North Down have made the local shortlist and will battle it out to make 'The Ultimate Pitch' in a bid to win investment for their business idea.

The winner of the local heat, taking place on 8 October at Cultra Manor, will secure £1,000 and progress to the Go Succeed regional final in November where they'll be in with the chance to capture another £5,000 for the overall winner.

The competition is organised by the government-backed enterprise support service Go Succeed.

Finalists in the Ards and North Down Borough include Fiona Matthan from One Love Bakes; Bradley Thorne who has developed a life skills and mentoring app for young people; and Horace Anderson of Career Path ELearning.

Others include property services consultant Daniel Mahood; Alexandra Mooney who has designed ND Nook, an app to support the parents of children with ASD; Zara McMurran of Bossy Business Management; and home stylist Chloe Baker from Bespoke Staging.

They will be joined Phoebe Clarke who plans to establish a bespoke soft furnishings brand; and Hannah Crothers of Doggie Doodles.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, 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 Ards and North Down 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 in Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co. Derry, 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.

Meanwhile, 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 (www.go-succeed.com) 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.