Ten entrepreneurs from across Belfast 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 1st October at the Innovation Factory will secure £1,000 and progress to the 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 Belfast City Council area include Michael Bezborodov of Amnis AI, an AI system that prevents pharmacy dispensing errors; Michael Kelly of BikeMesh which offers self-powered bike trackers; and Karthik Bangalore Rajendra Prasad of KARB AI, a that maximises advertising campaigns automatically.
Others include Kathryne Donnelly whose business helps brands sell more with video; Donnamarie Robertson, who has designed a digital property renting portal; and Sophie McManus, who has devised a live AI transcriptions platform.
Finalists also include Kerry Donnelly, Fortify Financial Situations CIC; Alex Campbell, of LGBTQ+ friendly Happy Out Coffee; Chris Scullion of CAST Planning that automates underground asset detection; and Samridhi Saini of FolkDeep that blends digital innovation with traditional arts.
The Ultimate Pitch
Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Paul Doherty, said: “Many congratulations to all those that have made the Belfast shortlist for Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch. The incredible number of entries from across our city illustrates the depth of entrepreneurial talent locally and shows just what an achievement it is to have been shortlisted.
“The very best of luck to all the finalists, and to all those entrepreneurs who took the time to enter. There are some great ideas here and I’m looking forward to hearing more about what these innovative concepts can offer our local economy.”
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 19th 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.
