Michael Hogan from Newtownabbey was one of seven entrepreneurial students to reach the final of a Dragon's Den style competition for his sustainable joinery business idea.

The 24-year-old Belfast Metropolitan College student pitched his business expansion venture to the Business Launchpad panel of judges during a live final held in the College's new e3 building in the Springfield Campus. Michael's idea to grow his bespoke joinery and interior fit-out company, which focuses on using sustainable and recycled materials and products, secured him a place in the final.

'Big Small Bespoke' is already up and running and builds on Michael's five years experience in joinery where he developed his emphasis on fine craftsmanship and traditional woodworking methods. Recently he completed work at One Hyde Park, one of London's most exclusive and expensive development schemes, while working for Mivan. Michael will start his HND in Construction in 2014 to expand his professional expertise in the industry.

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Business Launchpad allows students enrolled on a full-time or part-time course at Belfast Met or North West Regional College to develop their business ideas and provide stepping stones for setting up a business. Throughout the programme, students explored potential business ideas, held interactive workshops with local entrepreneurs, availed of tailored guidance and mentoring and wrote a business plan.

Seven students from more than 170 reached the final stage of the programme and pitched their business idea to a panel of four established local business owners consisting of Mary McCall, Founder and Managing Director of TreatTicket.com, Jacqui O'Doherty, Investment Executive at eSynergy, Dr Paul Beaney, Project Manager at VITAL, and Frankie McCourt, Regional Economic Development at Invest NI.

Siobhan Lyons, Head of Development at Belfast Metropolitan College, congratulated the winners: "We would like to congratulate all of the Business Launchpad participants, particularly the finalists who took part in the live pitching event. The calibre of entries into the inaugural programme has been phenomenal.

"It is inspiring to see young people turn their business dreams into a career reality. We hope that participation in this project will encourage students to take up the challenge of setting up their own business, thereby providing innovative ideas and commerce for the local economy in Northern Ireland."