David Set for the Ultimate Pitch

A former participant of SERC’s Step Up into Enterprise Programme is preparing to deliver his business idea to a Dragon's Den-style panel on Thursday 21 November.

David Barr (41), from Newcastle, won the Inclusive Entrepreneurship award at the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council local heat of the Go Succeed: Ultimate Pitch Competition, securing his spot at the finals which will be held at the Innovation Factory in Belfast this week.

The family man is keen to develop his business idea, Mindful Movement for Health, which focuses on the health benefits of Qi Gong, a traditional Chinese medicine based on breathwork and movement.

Explaining how his business ideas started, David said, “I was in a car accident several years ago and was in a lot of pain – my neck, my back, my wrist, my ankles and legs – everything ached.   My wife was on maternity leave at the time, and I had to work, but found I couldn’t function on the high dose pain killers I was being prescribed for the level of pain I was experiencing.   I just had to manage the pain as best I could with paracetamol and ibuprofen, but I knew I needed a long-term solution."

He continued, “After a bit of research, I discovered Qi (life balance) Gong (continual practice) and started a course.  It is recommended you practice the technique for at least 90 days to see the benefits, and I found it really helped me get out of the cycle of pain which was an everyday part of my life.”

He became so passionate about the benefits of the technique, David went on to qualify as a Qi Gong teacher and currently holds classes in Newcastle on a Monday evening. You can find him on Facebook: mindfulmovement for health or Instagram @mind_fulmovementforhealth.

David said, “The course at SERC helped me take my idea for a business to the next stage, and I guess I wouldn’t have gone for The Ultimate Pitch if I hadn’t come to SERC.   I am looking forward to the opportunity to share my ideas with the panel.  When you are passionate about something and believe in it, I think that comes across.”

David will be pitching for the overall Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship award (Sponsored by Ardmore Advertising). As well as a financial award, winners will receive a package of support including marketing and other business support services.

We wish David all the very best of luck for the Go Succeed: Ultimate Pitch on Thursday.