Mango entrepreneur wins major pitching event in Belfast

Colin Mackey who founded and runs Belfast-based social enterprise Mango Street, pictured with Lynsey Cunningham, Entrepreneur Development Manager, Ulster Bank, celebrates winning a major pitching event in Belfast.

Colin was one of six entrepreneurs shortlisted to pitch, in front of an audience of around 70, to a panel of judges including Jim Duffy, ‘Chief Executive Optimist’ at Entrepreneurial Spark, at Ulster Bank headquarters.

The event was run by Entrepreneurial Spark and Ulster Bank, who are set to open a new ‘Hatchery’ for entrepreneurs in central Belfast. Powered by Ulster Bank, the Hatchery will provide free space for up to 80 entrepreneurs.

Based in Lombard Street, the new accelerator and growth hub is now open to applications from new and existing businesses with exciting growth potential and will add to seven other Entrepreneurial Spark locations that are already open in Scotland and England.

Judges said that Mango Street was an ‘investable enterprise’ with great potential. It hand-crafts nutrient-rich, cold-pressed juice made from locally-sourced fruit and vegetables. It uses profits and products to support various local charities, initiatives and organisations that tackle issues in the local community, namely: combating homelessness, alleviating food poverty, encouraging environmental sustainability, and promoting health and well-being.

Colin’s prize for winning the pitching session includes mentoring by Ulster Bank and SmallBusinessCan.com.

Entrepreneurial Spark is the world’s largest free business accelerator for early stage and growing ventures from all sectors that is completely free for the entrepreneur and takes no equity in supported businesses.

For more information on the Belfast hatchery and details of how to apply visit www.entrepreneurial-spark.com