The search for Northern Ireland’s next business giant in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area is on as Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch returns for its third year running.

The pitching competition gives local entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete for up to £6,000 in investment for their business idea.

Launched by Go Succeed, NI’s government-backed business support service, the competition is open to pre-trading and newly established businesses that have been operating for less than two years, across all sectors. The Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area heat will take place in autumn with hopefuls presenting their business idea in front of a panel of judges from across the local business and civic community. The final will take place in November, returning to the literary home of one of Ireland’s most celebrated storytellers, Seamus Heaney.

Coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week, the event will see the 11 local heat winners deliver their final pitches to a panel of expert judges. Last year’s Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area winner was Katie Willoughby of ProTech who secured a spot in the final with her idea for a business to build soft skills among tech leaders operating in an increasingly AI-driven world.

The search for Northern Ireland’s next business giant in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area is on as Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch returns for its third year running. Pictured at the Giant’s Causeway to launch this year’s competition is Councillor Brian Higginson, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and founder of Noord and winner of last year's Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, Sander Van Eck. Pic credit: Brian Thompson

placeholder image — The search for Northern Ireland’s next business giant in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area is on as Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch returns for its third year running. Pictured at the Giant’s Causeway to launch this year’s competition is Councillor Brian Higginson, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and founder of Noord and winner of last year's Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, Sander Van Eck. Pic credit: Brian Thompson

Cllr Brian Higginson, Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, said: “At Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, we are continually inspired by the strength of entrepreneurial talent within our local community.

"Through the Go Succeed service, we are proud to support individuals at every stage of their business journey. “Over the past two years, the Ultimate Pitch competition has made a real impact locally - helping participants build confidence, refine their ideas, strengthen their pitching skills, and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. “Whether you’re just starting out, growing a social enterprise, or developing a new idea within an established business, we encourage you to apply and take that next step.”

Winners of local heats will receive a £1,000 investment with a further £5,000 available for the overall winner of the region-wide final. The overall winner who will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award will also receive a prize package