Parents’ ASD aid secures ‘The Ultimate Pitch’ in Ards and North Down

Winner of the local heat will progress to Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch Final

A mum who has designed an app to support the parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has taken the top prize in the Ards and North Down heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch.

Alexandra Mooney from Newtownards came up with the idea for ND Nook after struggling to use the traditional materials she was given to support ASD for her own child. She secured £1,000 investment for her business, and a place in the regional Ultimate Pitch Final next month where she’ll be in with the chance of an additional £5,000.

The competition is organised by the government-backed enterprise support service Go Succeed.

Alexandra said traditional methods for dealing with ASD – from visual communications charts to schedules and timers – were cumbersome and outdated, while also taking up valuable space.

Her idea for ND Nook is an app that provides the same tools digitally in a form that can be easily transported and updated, for use in the home, on the go, and in education and hospital settings.

She was among ten entrepreneurs to pitch at the local Ultimate Pitch heat at the Cultra Manor, with others including Hannah Crothers who won the local Rising Star Award for her business Doggy Doodles which creates bespoke dog portraits, and baker Fiona Matthan from One Love Bakes who received the local Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award.

Participants each presented a three-minute pitch to a panel of judges that included Fiona O’Neill, Regency Carpets; Claire Anketell, Inspiring Yarns; and Derek Wright, Street Life.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

“The Ards and North Down heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch has shone a spotlight on the incredible entrepreneurial talent that thrives right across our borough. Congratulations to all of the finalists for delivering such engaging and inspiring pitches.

“We wish the overall winner the very best of luck for the regional final and look forward to seeing their business, and all the participants, go from strength to strength in the months and years ahead.”

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 19th November.

The overall winner at the regional final will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, £5,000 investment, and a prize package including a photography session supplied by Brian Thompson Photography, podcast recording session supplied by Attention X Studio NI, membership of Toastmasters, and a media training session supplied by LK Communications.

Winners of sub-categories at the regional final, which include the Go Succeed Impact Award for the best social enterprise, the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award, and the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16–25-year-old entrepreneur, will also receive £1,500 towards their business idea.

Meanwhile, members of the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite regional finalist to win the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Ardmore Group, with the winner also receiving a £1,500 cash prize.

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.