Final chance for Ards and North Down entrepreneurs to make ‘Ultimate Pitch’ for £6,000 investment
• Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch deadline extended until Friday 22 August 2025
Entrepreneurs across Ards and North Down have been given additional time to enter this year’s Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, as the deadline approaches to put themselves forward for a chance of winning up to £6,000 in investment for their business idea.
Entrants to the competition, organised by Go Succeed, Northern Ireland’s free business support service, now have an extra four days to submit their application with the deadline extended to 12 noon on Friday 22 August 2025.
The local heat in Ards and North Down will take place on Monday 6 October at Cultra Manor, Holywood, with entrants making the ‘ultimate pitch’ to an esteemed panel of expert judges.
Heat winners will receive £1,000 investment and progress to the final, with an overall winner announced at a special event in Seamus Heaney Home Place in Bellaghy in November.
The overall winner will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, £5,000 investment, and a prize package including a year’s incubation space.
Winners of sub-categories, 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 finalist to win the People’s Choice Award – who will also get a £1,500 cash prize.
Last year’s Ards and North Down Borough Council winner was Mario Visser of Lifegap who secured a spot in the final after pitching their idea for an app which teaches real-life skills to young people aged 16-24 to a panel of judges from across the local business and civic community.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said: “We know that the Borough of Ards and North Down is a hotbed of entrepreneurship and we’ve already received some amazing entries to this year’s Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch.
“If you haven’t already put yourself forward, there’s still time to get involved ahead of the closing date.
“So whether you are starting out on your entrepreneurial journey for the very first time, have a fledgling social enterprise, or a great new business idea, the judges want to hear from you.”
Applicants will also have the opportunity to attend masterclasses on how to make the ultimate pitch ahead of their local heats, with the region-wide final taking place on Wednesday 19 November, during Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Go Succeed located at 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.
To find out more about Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, view the full terms and conditions, and apply, visit:
