Lisburn inventor is ‘pitch perfect’

Alexandra has been announced as a finalist in the Northern Ireland Science Park’s INVENT 2015 competition, after pitching to an audience of over 200 people and under the scrutiny of an international judging panel at the dynamic “Quick Pitch” event in W5 in Belfast on Thursday.

Her innovation is a natural anti-inflammatory supplement for horses which can also be used to optimise their general wellbeing.

Alexandra said, “This has been such an exciting night, really fast paced, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come over the next few months in the lead up to the final.

“I definitely want to tap into the export markets and expand with other product ranges and become a leader in the equine supplement industry.

“It’s a long road ahead but this competition is definitely an amazing step up the ladder for new technologies.”

Vying for their chance to be in the final top twelve, 24 companies delivered a high-pressure three minute pitch before facing questions from the judges.

At stake is a position on the NI Tech Mission to California and a chance to compete for a share of the £33,000 prize fund, as well as money-can’t-buy mentoring, networking and business development through the Northern Ireland Science Park’s NISP CONNECT.

Organiser of the competition, Peter Edgar of the Science Park explained: “QuickPitch is the semi-final stage of INVENT, which is all about telling the story of a breakthrough idea which has the potential to change an industry or solve a global problem which can make people’s lives better. It’s fast and exciting.”