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
30 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. - £30k Concept Plus Grant Closing Date - 21st April 2026 - £15k Concept Grant Closing Date - TBC
Exhibitions and trade missions
This support service from Invest Northern Ireland focuses on Exhibitions and Trade Missions, designed to help local businesses break into international markets and scale globally. By facilitating presence at major global events, Invest NI helps companies showcase their products, meet potential buyers, and navigate the complexities of foreign trade with the help of in-market experts.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
This support service from Invest Northern Ireland and Innovate UK focuses on the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme, a unique program that connects businesses with academic expertise to solve strategic challenges. The initiative facilitates a three-way collaboration between a business, a high-calibre graduate (known as an Associate), and a university or college to drive innovation and competitive advantage.
Operational excellence solutions
The Operational Excellence Solutions support can help your business develop competitive advantage by facilitating improvements to productivity and, in turn, profitability. Operational excellence can be applied in businesses of all sizes across all sectors.
Net zero and the green economy
Support for businesses to transition to a net zero economy
Protect your intellectual property
This support service from Invest Northern Ireland provides specialist advisory and financial assistance to help businesses identify, manage, and legally secure their intellectual property (IP).
Digitalisation solutions
This support service from Invest Northern Ireland focuses on Digitalisation Solutions, helping export-focused businesses adopt advanced technologies to improve efficiency and data management. The program provides expert advisory services and financial assistance to help companies implement robust Management Information Systems (MIS), such as ERP, CRM, and e-commerce platforms.
Support for start-ups
This support service from Invest Northern Ireland focuses on Support for Start-ups, acting as a central hub for entrepreneurs and social enterprises looking to launch or grow a new business within the region. The program bridges the gap between a raw idea and a functional company by connecting founders with expert advice, structured e-learning, and regional support networks.
Agri-Food Investment Initiative
The main aims of AFII are to: Support enterprises to increase their efficiency and improve their productivity Improve the competitiveness of Northern Ireland’s Agri-food sector Support capacity building, growth, innovation and new product development - Small businesses* - The maximum aid intensity that can be granted is 35 per cent of the eligible investment costs, however, the aid intensity for any individual project will be limited to the minimum support required to implement the project, compared to the counterfactual scenario in the absence of aid. Minimum project size is £300,000. - Medium businesses* - The maximum aid intensity that can be granted is 25 per cent of the eligible investment costs, however, the aid intensity for any individual project will be limited to the minimum support required to implement the project, compared to the counterfactual scenario in the absence of aid. Minimum project size is £500,000. - Large businesses* - The maximum aid intensity is 20 per cent of the eligible investment costs, however, the aid intensity for any individual project will be limited to the minimum support required to implement the project, compared to the counterfactual scenario in the absence of aid. Minimum project size is £1,000,000. * As per the EU definition, SMEs are businesses with a staff headcount of fewer than 250 people, and which have an annual turnover no more than €50 million or an annual balance sheet total no more than €43 million. Flat rates of grant assistance do not apply. AFII is a competitive process and grant rates are negotiable. The maximum eligible costs per individual investment project under this scheme will be no more than €25 million. The maximum assistance available under this scheme will be around £5 million.
BridgeAI
A programme providing funding and support for businesses in priority sectors to adopt AI technologies.
EnTRESS 2 – Environmental Technologies & Resource Efficiency Support Service
Supports SMEs with the adoption of environmental technologies and resource efficiency processes to improve business competitiveness.
Enterprise programme for young people - UK
The King's Trust helps young people aged 18 to 30 years who want to set up their own business in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Northern Ireland