Business news archives

Latest News - May 2026

  • Depot Charging Scheme

    Grant funding for charging infrastructure to help businesses make the switch to electric vans and trucks.

  • IPO updates design protection guidance

    The UK Intellectual Property Office has updated its guidance on designs covering graphic symbols, icons, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and animated designs.

  • Latest Business Academy webinars

    Upcoming webinars from the Business Academy to help you master the skills you need to reach new customers in the UK and around the world.

Beef Conference 2026

Event on achieving economic and environmentally sustainable beef systems in Northern Ireland.

The SPEAR Centre information session

Opportunity to discover innovation support, facilities and tailored R&D solutions for businesses interested in photonics and AI-driven solutions.

MEGA Lean Manufacturing Apprenticeship

Employers are invited to join the first cohort as founding partners and help shape the new programme.

Nominations open for National Cyber Awards 2026

Nominations are open for The National Cyber Awards 2026, a free-to-enter event celebrating cyber security excellence across the UK.

Free E-DATA sustainability webinars for SMEs

Sustainable NI is delivering two webinars, as part of the E-DATA project, to help businesses cut costs and boost performance.

Safety campaign targets high-risk quarry industry

The objective of the campaign is to promote safer working practices in block making operations.

Enterprise Fund 2026 opens for applications

This programme is aimed at early-stage businesses seeking growth support in Causeway Coast and Glens.

Consultation | Northern Ireland Local Growth Fund

An opportunity to have your say on investment proposals for a new Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland.

Free food safety events for Derry City and Strabane

Food safety events for small food businesses, and community and voluntary organisations.

Ards Peninsula Business Awards 2026

Entries are now open for the Ards Peninsula Business Awards 2026, recognising business achievement across the Ards Peninsula.

New steel import tariffs: what Northern Ireland businesses need to know

Find out more about new steel import controls from 1 July 2026.

Eagle Labs Female Founder Accelerator

Apply to join this free nine-week accelerator for UK female founders to scale tech businesses past MVP stage.

A Giant Taste of the Causeway Coast and Glens: business opportunities

Food and drink businesses are invited to promote their events, products and tourism experiences.

The King's Awards for Enterprise 2027

Northern Ireland businesses are invited to apply for the UK's most prestigious business award.

Develop your IP skills with IPO's masterclass in Belfast

Register to attend the Intellectual Property Office's IP masterclass in Belfast on 19 and 20 May 2026.

Freshen Up Grant for Ards and North Down businesses

Grant for businesses to carry out painting and/or power washing works, helping to enhance the look and feel of shopfronts and strengthen pride of place.

Opportunity for social enterprises at Tedberry Market 2026

Social enterprises are invited to register interest for one of two SENI‑funded stands at Tedberry Market 2026.

Mid Ulster Apprentice Lab Lunch and Learn webinar

This webinar will provide valuable insights into apprenticeships from both education and industry perspectives.

Mapping the UK's immersive production facilities

Submit your details by 22 May 2026 to help create the UK's first free map of immersive production facilities.

Free E-DATA Academy courses open to SMEs

Build cyber security, data science, change management and digital marketing skills through free, self-paced online training.

Protect your business from online threats with Cyber Essentials

The National Cyber Security Centre has launched a new campaign to boost cyber resilience, focusing on Cyber Essentials certification.

Contracts for Innovation: Cyber scale in critical sectors

Organisations can apply for up to £300,000 to test and scale cyber security solutions in real-world environments across critical sectors.