Endometriosis diagnosis tool secures 'The Ultimate Pitch' in Fermanagh and Omagh

ENNISKILLEN woman, Dianne Reilly, has come out on top of the Fermanagh and Omagh heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, securing £1,000 in investment for her business which aims to dramatically improve the diagnosis of endometriosis.

She was chosen for the top prize after wowing the judges with a pitch that showcased Endovia, a digital tool for speeding up the diagnosis of the condition.

Dianne will now progress to the region-wide final of the competition, organised by the government-backed enterprise service Go succeed, where she’ll be in with the chance of capturing a further £5,000.

Dianne developed the idea for a pre-consultation tool to capture accurate symptom data that would help clinicians diagnose faster and improve care, after gaining a deep understanding of systems following more than 20 years working in the NHS.

She was one of eight local entrepreneurs that pitched at the Fermanagh and Omagh final held at the Killyhevlin Hotel, among others, including Shelley Cowan of Access Avenue, who was named the local winner of the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award.

The accessibility consultant from Tamlaght set up Access Avenue and its Travel Ease app, which helps users find truly accessible travel accommodations and destinations, based on lived experience as a wheelchair user.

Councillor Barry McElduff, chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said: “Many congratulations to all those who took part in The Ultimate Pitch in what was a truly inspiring local heat.

This was a real showcase of the very best in entrepreneurship that the Fermanagh and Omagh District has to offer.

Dianne and Shelley’s pitches really resonated with the panel of judges, that’s for sure.

All of the business ideas which were advanced contain the seeds of great potential. As well as having strong products, each of the competitors had to make their pitch just right. And they did just that.

Best wishes to our winners and to all of our local entrepreneurs for their future business success.”

Heat winners from each of Northern Ireland’s 11 councils will progress to The Ultimate Pitch regional final in Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, County Derry on November 19.

The overall winner at the regional final will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, £5,000 investment, and a prize package including a photography session supplied by Brian Thompson Photography, podcast recording session supplied by Attention X Studio NI, membership of Toastmasters, and a media training session supplied by LK Communications.

Winners of sub-categories at the regional final, which include the Go Succeed Impact Award for the best social enterprise, the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award, and the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16–25-year-old entrepreneur, will also receive £1,500 towards their business idea.

Meanwhile, members of the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite regional finalist to win the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Ardmore Group, with the winner also receiving a £1,500 cash prize.

Go Succeed (www.go-succeed.com) is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils.

The service supports entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses with easy-to-access advice and support – including mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks, access to grant funding and business planning – at every stage of their growth journey.