Business Grants in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland offers unique business funding opportunities through Invest NI, local councils, and cross-border programmes with the Republic of Ireland. Belfast and other NI businesses can access support for innovation, exports, and growth.
Invest NI Funding
Invest Northern Ireland is the main business development agency for NI. They provide grants, loans, and support for businesses looking to grow, innovate, or export. Their programmes cover R&D, capital investment, skills development, and market entry.
Local Council Support
Northern Ireland's 11 councils offer their own business support programmes. Belfast City Council, Derry City and Strabane, and other councils run grant schemes for local businesses, particularly SMEs and startups.
Cross-Border Programmes
NI businesses can also access cross-border funding programmes with the Republic of Ireland and EU-funded initiatives. InterTradeIreland supports cross-border trade and innovation projects.
Northern Ireland Business Grants
151 grants found
Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund
The Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund is a pre-commercial grant awarding fund. On a competitive basis, the fund supports entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland with grants to explore the viability and commercial potential of an innovative concept. This proof of concept grant is for SMEs wo are located in Northern Ireland. The grant is 100% funded up the given limit of the grant amount. This grant aims to primarily fund who are aiming to use the money to learn about the market.
Business Innovation Grant
Supports sole traders, micro-businesses, and SMEs in Northern Ireland to develop and commercialise innovation activities to market with financial support and advice.
All-Island Circular Venture Awards 2026
An initiative designed to celebrate late-stage start-ups and ventures at the forefront of circular economy innovation across the island of Ireland, providing high-profile exposure, networking, coaching, and a competitive prize pool.
Ambition to Grow
A programme aimed at local innovative and ambitious micro, small, and medium enterprises seeking to create new employment, innovate processes, and sell outside Northern Ireland.
Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme
A subsidised three-way partnership between a business, a high-calibre graduate, and an academic institution designed to deliver strategic innovative solutions, drive organizational improvement, and achieve business growth.
Project Definition
A Research & Development (R&D) grant that aims to support high-risk, technically ambitious projects. It provides support to conduct feasibility studies and supports activities that have a commercial endpoint, helping businesses reduce project risks, identify costs, and identify potential benefits.
Technical Development Incentive
Designed to encourage companies to engage in the innovation activities of product development, process improvement and the identification and protection of intellectual property. The proposed innovative solution must add value by increasing competitiveness.
Operational excellence solutions
The Operational Excellence Solutions programme provides coaching, workshops and specialist advice to help businesses improve productivity, reduce non‑essential work by up to 25% and increase profitability.
Net zero and the green economy
Provides specialist guidance and financial support to help Northern Ireland businesses reduce energy consumption, decarbonise operations, and explore green market opportunities.
Clustering and collaboration
The Cluster Acceleration Programme provides financial support for businesses to collaborate, helping them identify new opportunities and strengthen their competitive edge.
Protect your intellectual property
Provides specialist advice on patents, trademarks, designs and copyrights, and offers financial assistance for an Intellectual Asset Management Audit and to protect IP such as patents, trademarks, designs and licensing agreements.
Digitalisation solutions
The Digitalisation solutions program offers advice and support for export‑focused businesses to implement Management Information Systems (MIS) such as CRM, ERP/MRP, e‑commerce platforms and digital automation, with possible financial assistance for software costs and related setup and training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Northern Ireland