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UK Startup

Funding · Northern Ireland

Grants and funding in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is the only UK nation where new founders have access to a fully-funded universal start-up programme — Go Succeed — alongside Invest NI for scaling businesses, Techstart NI for tech equity, and 11 local council enterprise programmes.

USUK Startup editorial· Reviewed against investni.com and gosucceed.comLast updated May 2026Reviewed against UK gov.uk sources

The NI business support landscape changed substantially in 2023 when Go Succeed replaced the previous NIBSUP. It's now the universal start-up support service, free to anyone with a business idea or trading less than 3 years. Above that level, Invest NI handles growth and export-oriented businesses, while Techstart NI is the main equity investor for tech startups.

Direct answer

Northern Ireland is the only UK nation where new founders have access to a fully-funded universal start-up programme — Go Succeed — alongside Invest NI for scaling businesses, Techstart NI for tech equity, and 11 local council enterprise programmes. Use the key facts, step list and official source links on this page to confirm the decision before you spend money or register anything.

Go Succeed support
Free, all founders
Invest NI grants
Project-based, varies
Techstart NI fund
Up to £1.25m
Halo Angels NI
£50k–£500k

Section 01

Go Succeed — the universal start-up programme

Free 1:1 mentoring, workshops, a digital business plan tool and a structured 'Launch' programme. Delivered by all 11 NI councils with a single online front door at gosucceed.com. Includes a dedicated track for under-30s, women-led businesses, social enterprises and rural businesses. The best free start-up support in the UK if you're based in NI.

Section 02

Invest NI

  • R&D grants for innovative projects — typically 25–50% of eligible R&D spend.
  • Capital grants for projects creating jobs (rates vary by location and project type).
  • Trade development and export support, including TradeNI international missions.
  • Account management for high-potential scaleups, with embedded advisors.
  • Innovation Vouchers — small grants (~£5k) to access university expertise.
  • Note: Invest NI focuses on businesses that can grow significantly. Under 10 employees you'll usually be routed via Go Succeed instead.

Section 03

Equity and lending

  • Techstart NI — early-stage equity investment up to £1.25m for tech startups.
  • Co-Fund NI — match-funds angel investments from approved syndicates.
  • Halo Business Angel Network — NI's main angel network, monthly pitch sessions.
  • Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) — CDFI loans where banks decline.
  • Whiterock Finance — lending for established NI SMEs.
  • Crescent Capital — growth-stage venture capital for NI-headquartered businesses.

Section 04

Council enterprise programmes

All 11 NI councils run their own enterprise support alongside Go Succeed, often funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Peace Plus. Belfast City Council's Smart Belfast and Translink Innovation programmes, Derry City & Strabane's Catalyst Inc partnership, and Mid & East Antrim's Manufacturing Made Smarter are among the most active. Schemes change frequently — check your council's economic development page.

Section 05

Sector-specific support

  • Tourism NI — grants and marketing co-investment for tourism businesses.
  • CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise) — agri-food business development.
  • Future Screens NI — funding for film, TV, animation and games.
  • DAERA Rural Business Development Grant — capital grants for rural diversification.
  • Catalyst — NI's main tech ecosystem hub, runs accelerators including INVENT, Co-Founders and CoFoundHer.

Section 06

Cross-border and EU-linked funding

Uniquely in the UK, NI businesses retain some access to EU-linked programmes through the Peace Plus programme (€1.1bn for the 2021–2027 period) and InterTradeIreland's cross-border schemes. These include the Acumen sales programme, FUSION technology transfer programme and the Co-Innovate cross-border R&D programme. Several NI businesses also remain eligible for Horizon Europe collaborations through the UK's associate membership.

Section 07

Realistic next steps

  1. 01

    Register on Go Succeed

    Free, takes 10 minutes. You'll be assigned a council-based advisor within a week.

  2. 02

    Apply for an Innovation Voucher if you're R&D-curious

    Small (~£5k) grants to access university expertise, with light-touch applications and fast decisions.

  3. 03

    Pitch to Halo Angels if you're equity-ready

    Monthly pitch sessions, SEIS/EIS-friendly, NI-specific syndicate dynamics.

  4. 04

    Speak to Invest NI if you employ 10+ or are export-focused

    Get account-managed — the relationship makes future support far easier to access.

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