As the founder of Rory's Travel Club, I am delighted to share the events of a memorable evening participating in (and winning) the  Ulster Bank Pitch Competition, a testament to our team's dedication and the opportunities out there in the world of entrepreneurship.

It was a privilege to be shortlisted in the top 4 and have this opportunity to compete in the 2024 Belfast Telegraph Business Awards in partnership with Ulster Bank. The ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitching competition consisted of a one minute video pitch followed by a one minute live presentation in front of a panel of judges and the business community of Northern Ireland who were the audience on the night.

Participating in the live Pitch Competition was a significant moment for me. It's not often you get the chance to present ideas to a room filled with respected business leaders. However, with determination and driven by passion and belief in what we offer, I took to the stage alongside three other worthy competitors, ready to showcase our vision.

The competition was strong, I was competing against three other business women, each who have fantastic businesses and will go on to achieve great things. Despite this, Rory's Travel Club managed to stand out, resonating with both the audience and the panel of judges.

Winning the Ulster Bank Pitch Competition was an incredible moment, a culmination of months of hard work and dedication. We are a start up company and this is just the beginning of an extraordinary journey where we hope to get bigger and better.