Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch deadline extended until Friday 22nd August 2025
Entrepreneurs 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 22nd August 2025.
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Local heats will take place across each of Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas, 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 HomePlace 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.
Encouraging entrepreneurs to sign up for the competition, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, said: “There has been a fantastic response with a huge amount of entries across Northern Ireland from entrepreneurs wanting to make the ‘Ultimate Pitch’ and putting themselves in the frame for investment.
“But there’s still time to get yourself involved. 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, get in touch before the closing date.”
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The inaugural Ultimate Pitch winner was Gemma McAllister, based in Carrickfergus, who wowed judges with her unique adaptive clothing brand WearMatter.
Local heats will be held within council areas throughout the autumn. Applicants will also have the opportunity to attend masterclasses on how to make the ultimate pitch ahead of their regional heats.
The panel of judges will be drawn from across Northern Ireland’s business and civic communities, with the final taking place on Wednesday 19th November, during Global Entrepreneurship Week. 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.
To find out more about Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, view the full terms and conditions, and apply, visit: www.go-succeed.com/TheUltimatePitch.
Sync NI's Summer 2025 magazine celebrates women in tech across Ireland as we continue to encourage more women to enter the thriving sector and address the current gender imbalance. Read the Summer 2025 Sync NI Magazine online for free here.
