News

Last chance for entrepreneurs across Derry City and Strabane

12 August 2026

Last chance for entrepreneurs across Derry City and Strabane to become Northern Ireland’s next business giant with £6,000 investment 

Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch entries close on Monday 17th August 2026 

Time is running out for entrepreneurs across the Derry City and Strabane District Council area to make the “Ultimate Pitch” and become Northern Ireland’s next business giant with the chance to win up to £6,000 in investment for their business idea.  

Entries for Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch close on Monday 17th August 2026 with the competition open to pre-trading and newly established businesses that have been operating for less than two years, across all sectors. 

Local heats will take place across each of Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas, with the Derry City and Strabane District Council area heat taking place in autumn. Hopefuls will present their business idea in front of a panel of judges from across the local business and civic community. 

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 on 18th November 2026. 

Last year’s Derry City and Strabane District Council area winner was Mary Blake of SeeMe who secured a spot in the final with their AI enabled personal archive platform designed to capture the memories behind our images. Nomathamsanqa Tholo also won the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award at the final for her business, Cultural Staffing Solutions. 

The overall winner who will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award will also receive a prize package including a photography session supplied by Brian Thompson Photography, a podcast recording session supplied by Attention X Studio NI, membership of Toastmasters, and a media training session supplied by LK Communications. 

Subcategory prizes will include the Go Succeed Impact Award, the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award, the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16-25 year-old entrepreneur, and the Go Succeed People’s Choice Award for the contestant with the most public votes. Each winner will receive £1,500 towards their business idea.  

Councilor XX, Derry City and Strabane District Council said: 

“Our local entrepreneurs are the driving force behind economic growth and innovation in our community. 

“Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch offers not just funding, but invaluable support and exposure that can transform an idea into a successful business. 

“I would strongly encourage anyone with a business idea to take that leap and apply before the deadline.” 

Last year’s overall winner was Sander Van Eck from Coleraine who amazed judges with his innovative waterproof socks company, Noord. 

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 18th November, coinciding with 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.