Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch
Open or will open again
social enterprise
Trading
Antrim & Newtownabbey
Ards & North Down
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon
Belfast City
Causeway Coast and Glens
Derry City and Strabane
Fermanagh and Omagh
Lisburn and Castlereagh
Mid and East Antrim
Mid Ulster
Newry, Mourne and Down
Northern Ireland
Micro (up to £1,000)
Overview
The Ultimate Pitch returns for 2025 — and they’re searching for Northern Ireland’s most ambitious entrepreneurs to take centre stage.
Whether you're just starting out or building momentum with a new business idea, this is your chance to show off your potential, stand out from the crowd and secure investment to bring your vision to life.
You must be registered with Go Succeed to apply.
Here’s how it works:
- Across all 11 council areas, local heats will spotlight the best and brightest — with £1,000 awarded to each local winner and a coveted place in the grand final.
- Then, it all comes down to the final showdown:
- 11 finalists. One stage. One Ultimate Pitch.
- The overall winner will take home £5,000, a year of incubation space, and mentoring support to propel their business forward.
Prizes - details
- Local Council heats: £1,000 cash prize
- Overall Winner: £5,000 cash prize, incubation space and mentoring support.
- Special Category Awards: Prizes for Youth (Go Succeed Rising Star), Social Enterprise (Go Succeed Impact Award), and Inclusive Entrepreneurship (Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award), with each winner receiving £1,500.
- People’s Choice Award: £1,500 cash prize
| Pitching Category | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Special Category Award | Special Category Award Eligibility Criteria |
| Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award | Open to pre-trading and new start businesses who have founded a new start business trading less than two years by 18th August 2025 located anywhere within Northern Ireland. Applicants must have registered with Go Succeed in order to be eligible. Applicants must have registered with Go Succeed. |
| Go Succeed Impact Award | Open to a social enterprise delivering significant social impact as part of their core objectives who has founded a new start social enterprise located anywhere within Northern Ireland, trading less than two years by 18th August. Applicants must have registered with Go Succeed. |
| Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award | Open to businesses who support and champion diversity and inclusivity, including through their own personal experiences, and which have made a positive impact on marginalised communities. Applicants must be trading less than two years by 18th August 2025 and must be registered with Go Succeed.
|
| Go Succeed Rising Star Award | Open to any 16–25-year-old by 18th August 2025 who has founded a new start business (including social enterprise) located anywhere within Northern Ireland, trading less than two years by 18th August 2025. Applicants must have registered with Go Succeed. |
Key dates
Application deadline 18/08/2025