Bangor-based business makes the ‘Ultimate Pitch’ in local heat

Bangor-based business, Lifegap, wins local heat of Go Succeed competition to secure place in final with £5,000 investment up for grabs

Local Bangor-based business, Lifegap, has won Ards and North Down Borough Council’s local heat of Go Succeed: Ultimate Pitch, earning a place in the grand final later this month.

Founder Mario Visser, who was awarded £1,000 for the local heat win, will now be in with a chance of taking home a further £5,000 in investment for his business idea in the competition organised by Go Succeed.

Lifegap is an app which teaches real-life skills to young people aged 16-24. Mario’s idea for the app comes from his personal experience of growing up without being taught essential life skills like filing your taxes, financing a car and obtaining a mortgage. Mario believes his app solves this educational gap and will be available to all people regardless of income.

To earn a place in the final, Mario made the ‘Ultimate Pitch’ to a panel of judges from across the business and civic communities.

Other winners included Lisa Tomalin, whose business Active Youth NI was chosen for the Impact Award, Rory Gracey of Cryptii Ltd, who won the Rising Star Award, and Suman Bhaskaran, whose business idea for creating software to accelerate patient enrolment and retention in clinical trials, won the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

“Businesses such as Lifegap showcase the innovation and creativity that make our local community so special. Ards and North Down has a strong spirit of entrepreneurship, and Mario is a wonderful example of what our community can achieve. Ards and North Down Borough Council is devoted to nurturing local talent, ensuring that entrepreneurs here have all the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

“This is why community-focused initiatives like Go Succeed: Ultimate Pitch are so important – they empower local businesses like Lifegap to take the next step in their journey. We are immensely proud of Mario and look forward to seeing his business thrive.”

Local heats are taking place in each of Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas every week throughout October and November. The local winners will progress to the final with an overall winner announced at a special event in November, coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The public will also have their say as the 11 Ultimate Pitch finalists will also be in the running to win the ‘People’s Choice Award’ which gives them the chance to vote for their favourite pitch via Go Succeed’s social media channels.

In addition to an overall winner who will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, special category prizes will include the Go Succeed Impact Award, the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award and the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16-25 year-old entrepreneur.

As well as the financial award, winners will receive a package of support including marketing and other business support services.

The final will take place in Innovation Factory, Belfast on 21^st November 2024.

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, at every stage of their growth journey, with easy-to-access advice and support including mentoring, masterclasses, peer support networks, access to grant funding and a business plan.