A Co Antrim farmer has wowed judges at the local Causeway Coast and Glens Ultimate Pitch heat, securing her place in the regional final with her business, Kingsbarn Farm, which rears grass fed additive free meat.
Sharon Gault secured £1,000 in investment for her business based outside Dunloy, and a place in the regional Ultimate Pitch Final in November where she will pitch for an additional £5,000 to grow her budding business.
The pitching competition is organised by the government-backed enterprise support service, Go Succeed.
The farm sells meat directly from its premises with all livestock traditionally reared on grass, without routine medicines, and their winter feed is grown without artificial fertiliser or additives.
Sharon was among 10 entrepreneurs from across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area to pitch at the local heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, held in the Flowerfield Arts Centre, Coleraine.
Among them was Shannon McCloskey (pictured) who won the Social Impact award for her business 'One Step at a Time' which provides mental health and wellbeing services to schools.
Meanwhile, Nadine Donaghy (pictured) won the Inclusive Entrepreneurship award for her business 'Halo Hair Toppers' which provides affordable, customisable human hair toppers, helping people with hair loss regain their confidence.
Councillor Dawn Higgins, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, said:
“Local businesses are at the heart of our communities, and it’s fantastic to see so many entrepreneurs showcasing their ambition through Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch.
“Congratulations to everyone who stepped forward and shared their story, idea and vision -and a special congratulations to Shannon on winning the local heat.
"We’ll be proudly cheering you on at the final in November!”
Heat winners from each of Northern Ireland’s 11 councils will progress to The Ultimate Pitch regional final in Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co. Derry on 18th November.
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 Social 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.
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.