Belfast's Young Entrepreneurs to Watch: Celebrating Our Future Business Leaders

Belfast recently celebrated the incredible talent and innovative spirit of its young entrepreneurs at the grand finale of the 'Young Entrepreneurs to Watch' initiative. Held at Danske Bank, the event saw the city's next generation of business leaders bravely pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges, showcasing the vibrant future of our local economy.

This three-month programme is dedicated to identifying and accelerating young entrepreneurial talent through dynamic workshops, invaluable mentorship, and vital networking opportunities. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, welcomed the participants, expressing her immense admiration for their creativity and drive. She highlighted how supporting young people and fostering local businesses is a cornerstone of the city’s growth strategy, calling these young innovators the 'innovation, energy and confidence that will drive our city’s growth and make it a world-class competitor for investment.'

The programme also benefited from the wisdom and experience of leading business figures such as Greg Bradley from BLK BOX, Alice Thompson of Social Bite, and Dave Linton from MadLug, who offered advice and inspiration. Additional real-world business expertise was generously shared by programme partners Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Pacem Advisory, and Danske Bank.

After a highly competitive and creative year, the coveted top spot, along with a £2,000 cash prize, was awarded to Max Loebnau. Max impressed the judges with his pressure-washing business, 'Pressure Perfect'.

Expressing his gratitude, Max shared, 'It’s a surreal feeling to win – I am so grateful to all the people who made this night possible.' He plans to invest the prize money into essential equipment, including for roof cleaning, and potentially a van, which carry significant capital costs for his business. Max also reflected on his experience, noting, 'The programme taught me that business is about more than just profit; the social enterprises we heard from showed me that my business can have purpose, and my services will be environmentally friendly.'

Events like 'Young Entrepreneurs to Watch' truly underscore the incredible potential within our community, demonstrating that age is no barrier to ambition or innovation. It's clear that Belfast’s business future is indeed in very capable hands, promising a brighter and more dynamic tomorrow for us all.