Meet the ten local entrepreneurs from Mid and East Antrim preparing to make ‘The Ultimate Pitch’
Pictured at the Giant’s Causeway to launch this year’s competition is Alderman Thomas Gordon, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and founder of Noord and winner of last year's Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, Sander Van Eck.
Wednesday 30 September 2026
Ten entrepreneurs from across Mid and East Antrim will put their business ideas before judges this Friday, competing for £1,000 and the chance to represent the borough at a Northern Ireland final.
From artisan baking and coffee to menopause support and a new play café, the shortlist for Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch brings together a range of local businesses and ideas.
The local heat takes place on Friday 2 October. Its winner will secure £1,000 in investment and progress to November’s regional final, where a further £5,000 is on offer.
Who is in the running
The ten shortlisted entrepreneurs are Steven Taggart of Secure Keys; Aisling Willighan of stationers Hearth and Paper; artisan baker Emma Dunbar; Willy Moore of Wee Bean Coffee; and Jeanette Hanna of Aspire Day Opportunities.
Joining them are Colly Graham, who has an idea for a practice tool for salespeople; Aimee Mcburney, who has opened a new play café; Zolene Mayberry, who has designed the muscle cream Muscle Mint; Siobhan Kearney of Menopause NI; and baker Melanie Gibson of Kaleo & Kin.
Each will pitch to a panel drawn from the local business and civic community, seeking to follow last year’s borough winner, William Mawhinney, whose business conducts hull inspections of vessels.
A chance to represent the borough
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, congratulated the finalists ahead of the local heat.
“Many congratulations to all the finalists in our local heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch who hail from across Mid and East Antrim really showcasing everything this area has to offer.
“There is a wealth of entrepreneurship right on our doorstep and we look forward to celebrating that spirit as they each make the ‘ultimate pitch’ for investment.”
The winners from Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas will compete at Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co Derry, on Wednesday 18 November.
Further prizes at the regional final
Alongside the £5,000 investment, the overall winner will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award and a package of services to support their business.
That package includes a photography session from Brian Thompson Photography, a podcast recording session from Attention X Studio NI, Toastmasters membership and media training from LK Communications.
Four additional awards will each provide £1,500 towards the winning business idea: the Go Succeed Impact Award, Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award, Rising Star Award and People’s Choice Award.
The Rising Star Award recognises the most inspiring entrepreneur aged 16–25, while the People’s Choice Award goes to the contestant receiving the most public votes.
Support beyond the competition
Go Succeed is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils, supporting entrepreneurs, new start-ups and existing businesses.
Its support includes mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks, access to grant funding and business planning. Information is available at www.go-succeed.com, with competition details, full terms and conditions and application information at www.go-succeed.com/TheUltimatePitch.
For the ten local finalists, Friday’s heat is the first opportunity to turn their pitch into investment. One will leave with funding for their business and a place on the regional stage in November.
