If you are considering starting a business, you can get free start-up support from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Go Succeed Start

If you have a great idea but you're not sure how to turn it into a business, or you have already started out in business and require mentorship on your next steps, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's Go Succeed Start experts will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running.

This support is available to anyone interested in starting a business. Complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for free advice and guidance from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

My New Business

My New Business is a free online service that covers everything you need to start, plan and run a business. It has checklists, videos, tools, tutorials and case studies to help you get your business started - find out more about My New Business.

Get a business licence

You may need a licence to operate certain types of business in Antrim and Newtownabbey. Find more information on how to apply for business licences on the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council website.

There are several organisations in Antrim and Newtownabbey which offer support to help you grow your business.

Growth and support schemes for established businesses

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council runs support programmes for business growth and development. Current programmes include:

Community Festival Funding Grant Aid Programme 2026-28

Funding of up to £5,000 is available for a one-year grant, or up to £10,000 for a two-year grant to community, voluntary or charitable organisations for their community festivals.

Find out more about the Community Festival Funding Grant Aid Programme 2026-28.

LEP Business Digitisation Programme

Ask Programme

The Ask Programme offers up to ten hours of free one-to-one mentoring. Mentors help businesses overcome challenges, embrace innovation, develop new skills, improve efficiency, and access funding opportunities.

Find out more about the Ask Programme.

Go Succeed - Grow and Scale

Support is available if your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress. Or if your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. Business advisors will provide tailored support to help your business achieve its ambitions.

Find out more about the Go Succeed support for existing businesses.

Social Enterprise Thematic Programme

Support for social enterprises to elevate their skills through one-on-one mentoring and online workshops, focusing on fundraising, digital marketing, and social impact planning. Find out more about the Social Enterprise Thematic Programme.

Support scheme for female entrepreneurs

Women into Leadership Programme

The Women into Leadership Programme provides personalised support, development of leadership skills, and the opportunity to earn an accredited qualification.

Find out more about the Women into Leadership Programme. 

Local enterprise agencies

Enterprise Northern Ireland agencies provide business improvement programmes, financing, events, workspace and meeting space. There are three local enterprise agencies in Antrim and Newtownabbey:

• Antrim Enterprise Agency
• LEDCOM
• Mallusk Enterprise Park

Tender for council contracts

You can seek tender opportunities as a way to grow your business in Antrim and Newtownabbey. The council offers public tenders throughout the year in a wide range of business areas.

Find out more about tendering for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council contracts.

Invest Northern Ireland support for business

Invest NI can help your business compete successfully and function more efficiently by providing support across a variety of areas.

Find out more about the Invest NI support for business.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is an excellent location for doing business.

Local infrastructure

Antrim and Newtownabbey businesses benefit from direct access to markets across the world.

The M2 motorway running through the council area linking to Belfast and north towards Derry. A rail connection links to those two cities and on across the island.

Belfast International Airport is situated within the council area. The motorway and rail network also provides fast and reliable access to major ports at Belfast, Larne and Dublin.

The council area is within an hour’s overland travel into the European Union - find out more about cross-border trade support with InterTradeIreland.

Local workforce and business supply chains

There are around 145,852 residents in Antrim and Newtownabbey.

There are 4,220 businesses operating in Antrim and Newtownabbey, which is 5% of all businesses in Northern Ireland. The majority of the base is micro and small businesses:

• 86% micro (0-9 employees)
• 11% small (10-49 employees)
• 3% medium (50-249 employees)
• 0.6% large (250+ employees)

Some major business investors in the council area include Schrader, CDE 2020V and Mivan Marine. Service businesses make up the largest sector in Antrim and Newtownabbey:

• 62% services
• 17% agriculture
• 13% construction
• 8% manufacturing

You can download an Invest NI council briefing on Antrim and Newtownabbey (PDF, 3.36MB).