Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, has joined students from NRC’s Causeway Campus at the Go Succeed Future Founders Innovation Camp, delivered by Young Enterprise NI during Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The event was part of the Go Succeed Future Founders Programme, being delivered in partnership as a three-part series, in all 11 councils throughout Northern Ireland.
Running from September 2025 until March 2026, Future Founders will inspire up to 3,900 young people through a series of enterprise camps and workshops, being held across the region’s six further education colleges. The programme will embed ambitions and entrepreneurial skills in a bid to foster creativity, innovation and expand the talent pipeline.
Students also heard from John Walker, owner of Vend Digital about the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur.
Speaking at the Innovation Camp, Cllr Oliver McMullan said: “I was thrilled to join Northern Regional College students at their Innovation event today.
“This programme isn’t just about learning the theory of entrepreneurship; it's about doing. Participating students are developing skills that are crucial in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. From brainstorming innovative ideas to crafting compelling pitches, through Future Founders, they are learning how to turn concepts into reality.
“Furthermore, it is an opportunity to sharpen their presentation skills and gain the confidence needed to stand in front of any audience and make them believe in their vision.”
The Future Founders programme is brought to young people as part of Go Succeed and delivered by Young Enterprise, in partnership with the 11 local councils and 6 Further Education Colleges.
Go Succeed is funded by the UK Government and aims to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey.
Future Founders events are taking place in campuses across all six further education colleges in Northern Ireland: Belfast Metropolitan College, North-West Regional College, Northern Regional College, South-Eastern Regional College, South-West College, and Southern Regional College.
NRC students pictured with Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan (front middle); Jane Hanna, North East Area Manager YENI (back left); John Walker, Vend Digital, guest entrepreneur (second from back right); and Joanne McCourt Principal Lecturer and Entrepreneurship Hub Manager, NRC (back right).
Pearce McFall, Learning Manager, YENI pictured talking to NRC students at the Go Succeed Future Founders Innovation Camp.
NRC students pictured at the Future Founders Innovation Camp, held in NRC Causeway Campus.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan pictured at the Future Founders Innovation Camp, held in NRC Causeway Campus.
John Walker, owner of Vend Digital and guest entrepreneur speaker at the Future Founders Innovation Camp in NRC Causeway Campus.