Proof of Concept Grant Fund

Summary:

Grants of up to £35,000 that support entrepreneurs at the earliest stage to get their business ideas off the ground by commercialising technology innovation.

Eligibility criteria:
  • You must be a sole trader, partnership or limited company to apply.
  • You must have an innovative/novel concept to prove.
  • The principal applicant must be resident in Northern Ireland, and if the principal applicant is applying through a limited company then the company must be registered in Northern Ireland, with the principal applicant being the majority shareholder in the limited company.
  • Applicants can have no more than two applications, irrespective of the outcome, the entity applying or the concept applied for.
  • Applicants who have previously been awarded a Catalyst Co-Founders' Proof of Concept Grant cannot use the Techstart Grants to cover the same costs. Double-funding must not occur.

University related companies are not eligible to apply for a Techstart Grant where the University has an ownership in the company and/or any associated IP.

Additional information:
  • concept grants of up to £10,000
  • concept plus grants of up to £35,000
  • the funds form part of an enterprise escalator of support for seed and early-stage companies

The fund is managed on behalf of Invest NI by Techstart Ventures.

Support organisation:
  • Techstart Ventures
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