Four of Northern Ireland’s most promising entrepreneurs have secured their place in the grand final of the 2026 Ulster Bank Accelerator Pitch competition, where they will compete for a life-changing £50,000 investment.
Following a competitive semi-final pitching event held on March 10, an esteemed panel of judges selected which founders would progress to the grand finale at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards on March 25.
The judging panel included, Eddie McKeever, Managing Director, McKeever Hotel Group; Caroline O’Neill, podcast host and founder of Digg; Jenda McSwiggan, Head of Growth Operations, NatWest Cushon and Gareth McDonald, Co-Founder Farmdrive and winner of the pitch competition in 2025.
The finalists emerged from a shortlist of 12 companies chosen from more than 100 entrepreneurs who submitted pitch videos as part of this year’s competition.
After hearing 12 entrepreneurs deliver their pitch live and putting them through a grilling Q&A session, the judges selected Aaron Carey, Preservoir; Peter Gilleece, Vikela and Sarah McKegney, Percy & Pop as their finalists. A fourth entrepreneur, Cormac Venny, HIP Psychology also claimed a spot at the grand final after topping the public vote on the Belfast Telegraph website.
The judges said each of the founders impressed the panel with their confident pitch delivery, clear asks, enthusiasm for their business venture and incredible knowledge about their relevant products and industries.
The finalists will now take to the stage in front of a live audience at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards ceremony, where one entrepreneur will be crowned the 2026 Ulster Bank Accelerator Pitch winner and walk away with the £50,000 prize.
Gabi Burnside, Accelerator Journey Manager, said reaching the final was a significant achievement.
“We were incredibly impressed by the standard of pitches delivered at the semi-final. Each of the 12 entrepreneurs delivered outstanding pitches and it was a very challenging decision for the judging panel to select the finalists.
“These four founders have shown exceptional potential, and we are excited to see them take to the stage at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards as they compete for this year’s £50,000 prize.”
The Ulster Bank Accelerator Pitch competition forms part of celebrations marking ten years of the bank’s accelerator community in Northern Ireland which has supported over 1,000 entrepreneurs to scale and succeed since opening its doors in 2016.
The winner will be announced live at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards ceremony on March 25.
