The AIB Start-Up Academy is in full swing, and this week saw the latest event taking place in McHugh's Bar and Restaurant in Belfast.  Guests heard from some of Northern Ireland's most experienced entrepreneurs, including Brendan Monaghan, MD of Nueda.com and Philip Bain, CEO of Shred Bank. There was also a strong presence of female entrepreneurs at the event with Lee-Anne Daly from OrbySwim, Laura Nagamine from Pretty in Petite and Rachel Gawley from AppAttic all showcasing their innovative business ideas. Check out some of the best tweets from the night below.

We're in Belfast for tonight's @AIBBiz Start-Up Academy event. Packed house here in @McHughsbar1711 #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/BLTXQrxkhl

— Her.ie (@Herdotie) November 17, 2015

Edel McCooe First Trust Bank welcomes the audience to the AIB Start-up Academy in @McHughsbar1711 #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/TOnowe6L37 — AIB Business (@AIBBiz) November 17, 2015

@aibbiz Startup Academy in Belfast tonight. Amazing turn out #getinvolved #backedbyaib pic.twitter.com/eXe8sxw277

— Fiona Mahon (@fimahon) November 17, 2015

At the AIB Start-up academy info night, downstairs in McHughs ? #startup #backedByAIB pic.twitter.com/8Stq2mVLQw — ivea labs (@iveaLabs) November 17, 2015

Our first pitcher of the night OrbySwim @leebodaly #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/aDqL5Bo1sn

— AIB Business (@AIBBiz) November 17, 2015

Things kicking off for the very first @AIBBiz start up night in #Belfast with the @IrishTimesBiz #backedbyaib pic.twitter.com/7YOKfs9pxI — Mark Brennan (@markbrennan_) November 17, 2015

First up is @leebodaly giving a great pitch on ORBY Jet Suits, which launched 21 days ago. #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/nqucxsYL2S

— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) November 17, 2015

Super first pitch from @leebodaly Her Orby Jet Suits aim to transform how we learn to swim in Ireland ? #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/IpILfjNOEf — Her.ie (@Herdotie) November 17, 2015

Brilliant presentation by @deadlytoes from @appattic my winner of the night! #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/aXklK5b4mV

— Accountsify (@Accountsify) November 17, 2015

@neuedaconsult Brendan Monaghan shares his story -get out and sell yourself. #backedbyAIB @IrishTimesSales @AIBBiz pic.twitter.com/mPLQ6UdlrC — Fiona Mahon (@fimahon) November 17, 2015

It only takes seven seconds to make a lasting first impression, according to the founder of @petiteHQ #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/C9Lp52sZ5P

— Her.ie (@Herdotie) November 17, 2015

Great principle - "if you gut says it's broken walk away" #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/EdcTJxfKen — Mark Brennan (@markbrennan_) November 17, 2015

First speaker of the night Brendan Monaghan @neuedaconsult takes us through his design principles #backedbyAIB ?? pic.twitter.com/J53ihfZBPd

— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) November 17, 2015

Picking up the phone is the best way to make sales today, says @neuedaconsult founder Brendan Monaghan #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/4L2xjjICCR — Her.ie (@Herdotie) November 17, 2015

Great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs from Brendan Monaghan founder of @neuedaconsult #backedbyAIB ? pic.twitter.com/frfif2ozVo

— Her.ie (@Herdotie) November 17, 2015

Enjoying Philip Bain @ShredBank presentation @McHughs Belfast #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/HOw4byLBOQ — Des Moore (@DesMoore3) November 17, 2015

Philip Bain explains what a great leader is & how important it is for any organisation to function #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/6xfuHP5i10

— AIB Business (@AIBBiz) November 17, 2015

"If your business doesn't solve a problem, you're not in business," says @ShredBank founder Philip Bain #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/lKum2pE0k5 — Her.ie (@Herdotie) November 17, 2015

The @AIBBiz Start-Up Academy is in Belfast! Very interesting pres from @ShredBank #backedbyAIB @FirstTrustBank pic.twitter.com/sVcG20l9Qd

— John Carey (@Johnny_C51) November 17, 2015

Great atmosphere here at the AIB Start-up Academy, great audience putting the panel through their paces #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/xGkXKRGwy4 — AIB Business (@AIBBiz) November 17, 2015

Great night in @McHughsbar1711 for the Start-up Academy, really good banter with the audience here #backedbyAIBpic.twitter.com/q2PBRqGnQD

— Gràinne O Reilly (@LadyGra) November 17, 2015

  To get more information on the AIB Start-Up Academy, click here. To apply for a place on the AIB Start-Up Academy training and mentoring programme with The Irish Times Training Department come right this way.