Business Support Finder

The business support finder is a searchable database that can help you find local publicly-funded and not-for-profit sources of 
assistance you may be eligible to apply for. Support may be available in a number of forms, including financial assistance and free 
or subsidised advice services. There may also be specific initiatives to help with starting up, managing or growing a business.

209 schemes available

  • Advice and training support to help Belfast tourism businesses become more accessible for visitors with disabilities.

  • Opportunity for local employers and employees to boost their business skills and gain a Chartered Management (CMI) qualification.

  • A range of events, activities, training, information, and support to enable a shift towards active travel to work.

  • Support for businesses to identify and address barriers to diversity and inclusion for disabled people in the workplace.

  • Specialist advice and support for businesses employing people with disabilities.

  • Venture capital scheme helping eligible businesses raise capital by offering tax reliefs to investors buying new shares.

  • Support to help individuals explore business ideas, develop enterprise skills, and launch a start-up through mentoring.

  • Start-up support for people aged 18–30 with access to business training, funding, mentoring, and practical help to launch and grow a business.

  • Enterprising Women is a free female network which provides access to workshops and events for female entrepreneurs in Mid and East Antrim.

  • Practical support for businesses exploring augmented and virtual reality technologies to drive innovation.

  • Free short training courses to increase awareness and knowledge of topical farming issues.

  • Help for farming family businesses to develop a succession plan and consider what development the successor might need to take over the business.

  • A practical, fully funded programme of support including mentoring and training in export strategy development, export market analysis, and business networking opportunities.

  • A range of support for Food and Drink businesses to grow using market research, data analysis and consumer insights.

  • Networking opportunity for agri-food and drink producers and hospitality providers.

  • Advisory service for SMEs who are looking for new or alternative sources of funding to finance business growth.

  • Tailored support for young social entrepreneurs including financial literacy resources, peer-to-peer learning, workshops, and expert advice and guidance.

  • This programme helps to identify workforce health needs and includes the development of a bespoke physical activity package.

  • Support for innovative SMEs to explore global markets, build partnerships, and grow internationally.

  • Support and funding for SMEs to explore international R&D collaboration and global market opportunities.

  • Local council support offering expert advice, tailored guidance, and mentoring to help you start, grow, or scale your business.

  • Tender training and mentoring to help businesses across Ireland access public sector contracts and access the procurement market.

  • Funding and support from Invest Northern Ireland to help businesses plan, test, and deliver innovative R&D projects.

  • Funding for small and growing local charities, voluntary groups or social enterprises that are making a big impact on communities, people, or the environment.

  • Training for electrical operatives in Electrical Energy Storage Systems, Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment, and Small-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems.

  • Government-backed loan scheme supporting SMEs to access finance for cashflow and investment.

  • Funding and support for social purpose organisations to prepare for and secure investment, and grow their social impact.

  • The HBAN programme encourages business angels to operate within syndicates and provides a matching service between companies seeking investors and business angels.

  • Hardship Rate Relief for a non-domestic property is intended to help a business recover from a temporary crisis, financial or otherwise, as a result of exceptional circumstances.

  • Grants, advice and guidance for charities, social enterprises, and not-for-profit groups to help communities find sustainable new uses for disused historic buildings.

  • Free programme to help people explore entrepreneurship, spark ideas, and take first steps toward starting a business.

  • A work-based programme offering recognised training and qualifications designed around the needs of employers.

  • Tailored ICT advice for businesses with the aim of improving efficiency, reducing costs and exploiting export markets through online selling.

  • One-day bootcamp focused on idea development, confidence building, and practical steps to start your own business.

  • Small grants of up to £500 are available to help businesses to be more inclusive.

  • Manufacturing businesses occupying qualifying industrial properties can qualify to pay 30% of the normal occupied rates.

  • Bespoke support for innovation-driven SMEs in Northern Ireland to grow, scale, and access global markets.

  • Fully funded training for small businesses to undertake innovation activity and drive growth.

  • Funding to help SMEs access academic expertise, hire a project manager, and deliver innovation projects.

  • Knowledge transfer network matching industry challenges with innovative companies across different sectors.

  • Expert help for Northern Ireland businesses to protect their intellectual property, including patents, trade marks and designs.

  • Financial support for trade and development missions for businesses who want to be equipped with the relevant in-depth knowledge, know-how and confidence to successfully operate in new markets

  • This fund provides commercial loans to fund the growth of Northern Ireland businesses.

  • This fund aims to increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for ambitious and growth-focused businesses in Northern Ireland.

  • Businesses relocating or searching for new premises in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area can access free support from the Investment Team.

  • £15, 000 match funding to support creative partnerships between commercial businesses and arts or cultural organisations in Northern Ireland.

  • A job vacancy advertising website where employers can manage their recruitment online for free.

  • Opportunities for arts practitioners to explore issues of difference and identity through literature and creative writing.

  • A subsidised partnership linking a business, a graduate, and a university or college to deliver strategic innovation projects that drive growth.

  • Funding for capital projects to either purchase new assets or support the refurbishment of existing assets.

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