Ballymena students meet local entrepreneurs in Final Future Founders Session

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with students and staff at Northern Regional College, Ballymena, along with Danielle Polkey, Eden Hair & Beauty, Darren Lyttle, Circle Creative Communications, Karl Scullion, Museco, and Christine Barnhill, Economic Development Officer, MEABC.

Ballymena students have connected with some of Mid and East Antrim’s leading business figures during the borough’s final session of the innovative ‘Future Founders’ programme, designed to inspire and empower Northern Ireland’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council partnered with Go Succeed – Northern Ireland’s business and entrepreneur support service – and Young Enterprise NI to deliver the initiative, which aims to nurture entrepreneurial ambition among young people and strengthen the region’s future talent pipeline.

Go Succeed, funded by the UK Government and delivered collaboratively by all 11 local councils, provides comprehensive support to individuals and businesses at every stage of their journey. This includes tailored mentoring, expert advice and resources to help entrepreneurs develop ideas, start up, scale and grow.

Through workshops, one-to-one support and networking opportunities, Go Succeed plays a key role in driving innovation and economic development across Northern Ireland.

Delivered jointly by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils and its six further education colleges, the ‘Future Founders’ programme focuses on embedding creativity and entrepreneurial thinking among young people through practical engagement and real-world exposure.

The third and final session in Mid and East Antrim took place recently at Northern Regional College in Ballymena. This inspiring ‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ event gave students a valuable opportunity to speak directly with business leaders, hear first-hand about their entrepreneurial journeys, and learn what it takes to transform innovative ideas into viable ventures.

The remaining sessions across other council areas will continue throughout Northern Ireland between January and March 2026.

Entrepreneurs taking part in the Ballymena session included Darren Lyttle of Circle Creative Communications in Carrickfergus, Danielle Polkey of Eden Hair and Beauty in Ahoghill, and Karl Scullion of Museco in Portglenone.

Each contributed their time and expertise on a voluntary basis, reflecting the strong spirit of collaboration and mentorship within Northern Ireland’s business community.

Their involvement highlights a shared commitment to supporting emerging talent and demonstrating the opportunities that come from enterprise and innovation.

The ‘Future Founders’ programme has given young people the tools, networks and confidence they need to take their first steps into the world of business. By connecting students with real-world role models, the initiative has sparked ambition and shown that, with the right mindset and support, ideas can indeed become opportunities.

Participants from across the further education sector have gained exposure to entrepreneurial thinking, enhanced their skillsets and built invaluable industry connections – outcomes that underline the programme’s lasting impact.