Institute of Directors Reveals 4K Pitch Competition Shortlist
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has announced a stellar shortlist for its annual 4K Perfect Pitch competition.
The competition, which will take place as part of the highly anticipated IoD Women’s Leadership Conference, will see four fledgling entrepreneurs compete for a £4,000 funding prize.
Gordon Milligan, Chair, Institute of Directors Northern Ireland said:
“The 4K Perfect Pitch competition has become a major highlight of our Women’s Leadership Conference and represents an enormous opportunity for some of the amazing new businesses that are contributing to our local economy.
“As an organisation, the IoD is committed to supporting the growth of businesses across Northern Ireland and I would like to congratulate all those who have been named on this year’s shortlist – we are very much looking forward to hearing your pitches.”
The 4K Pitch finalists include:
Gabrielle Feenan – Korkki:
Korkki is furniture without the footprint. With 22 million tonnes of furniture waste going to landfill annually in the UK, the business aims to combat this by substituting harmful medium-density fibreboard (MDF) pieces for biodegradable cork alternatives. Korkki furniture is designed to be highly sustainable, of low impact during manufacture and to have longevity in lifespan.
Jo Warner – EQuinox Rising:
As founder of EQuinox Rising, Jo believes in kindness first, and envisions an equitable world where everyone can thrive by promoting social mobility and developing emotionally intelligent growth-mindsets. Jo is an experienced global leader, Learning and Development Professional, educator, and certified ACE coach.
Sinead Welsh – Informed Minds App:
Sinead is an International Child Protection Specialist with experience in NI and Australia. Whilst in Melbourne, she worked alongside Victoria Police regarding the establishment of the Child Sexual Assault and Family Violence Investigation Teams. Sinead has co-created the Informed Minds App with students aged 16 and over in direct response to self-harm and suicide rates both locally and nationally.
Tina Calder – Merlin Arts CIC
Merlin Arts CIC seeks to educate, empower and encourage people to use to use their words to help develop their confidence, enhance and improve their communication skills and overcome personal and societal issues in order to improve the quality of their lives, their relationships, their mental and physical health, as well as their employability.
Representatives from each shortlisted business will make their funding pitch during the conference, which will once again unite a community of inspiring and innovative leaders for two online events, sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills, on 9th and 11th March.
Hundreds of delegates are expected to attend the event, and each will have the opportunity to select the 2022 4K Perfect Pitch winner.
Previous winners include Rachael Coulter, CEO and founder of Stable Manager, a digital platform connecting horse owners with service providers offering the perfect technical solution for horse management, Glenda Burns of Breath NI, which provides support services to parents impacted by trauma and Sarah McAnallen the creator of Ezi-Sock, a device that makes putting on socks easier for people with reduced mobility
The Women’s Leadership Conference will also hear from a host of outstanding speakers including world renowned ethologist and activist Dr Jane Goodall DBE, Dame Inga Beale, Lloyds of London’s first female CEO and Khalida Popal, former Afghanistan women’s football captain.
For further details about the conference and to book a place, visit www.iod.com/locations/northern-ireland/events/
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