A Co Antrim farmer has secured £1,000 and a place in the Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch regional final after winning the Causeway Coast and Glens heat at Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart.
Sharon Gault impressed judges with Kingsbarn Farm, a Dunloy-based business producing grass-fed, additive-free meat. The farm sells directly from its premises, with livestock traditionally reared on grass and without routine medicines.
Winter feed is grown without artificial fertiliser or additives, forming part of the farm’s focus on traditional production methods.
Gault was one of 10 entrepreneurs from across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area to compete in the local heat, organised by the government-backed Go Succeed enterprise support service.
The win will see Kingsbarn Farm progress to the regional final at Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, on 18 November, where the finalists will compete for an additional £5,000 to develop their businesses.
Shannon McCloskey received the Go Succeed Social Impact Award for One Step at a Time, which provides mental health and wellbeing services to schools.
The Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award was presented to Nadine Donaghy for Halo Hair Toppers, a business offering affordable, customisable human hair toppers for people experiencing hair loss.
Councillor Dawn Higgins, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, praised the participating entrepreneurs and congratulated the local heat winner.
“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,” she said.
The overall winner at the regional final will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, alongside a photography session, podcast recording session, Toastmasters membership and media training.
Additional prizes will include the Social Impact, Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Rising Star and People’s Choice awards. Each category winner will receive £1,500 towards their business idea.
Go Succeed is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils. It provides entrepreneurs and businesses with advice, mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks, grant funding support and business planning assistance.
