Overview of Northern Ireland business

If you are starting or expanding your business in Northern Ireland, you will need local advice and support. You will also need to think about where to get professional and legal advice.

Go Succeed

Support to start, grow and scale a business is available from your local council. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur just starting out, are looking to grow your business, or are planning to scale up, Go Succeed industry experts will provide tailored support and guidance to help you achieve your business goals.

Complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for this free advice and guidance.

Invest Northern Ireland support

Invest NI's local office staff have wide commercial expertise. They can provide valuable advice and practical business experience, and can also help you to find useful contacts. Find your Invest NI local office.

Local Enterprise Agency support

Enterprise NI has a network of local Enterprise Agencies. These support small business and community enterprises. They provide:

• information on government help for small business
• professional advisers
• low-cost loans, grant aid and other finance
• support for small businesses that are acquiring new information technologies
• support for business growth and development
• industrial and office space

Find out more about Enterprise Northern Ireland and find your local Enterprise Agency.

Northern Ireland Business Support Finder

The Northern Ireland business support finder is a searchable database that can help you find 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.

Professional advice

It is vital to take proper legal and financial advice when setting up a business. The Law Society of Northern Ireland can put you in touch with employment and commercial lawyers.

You may also be looking for financial and tax advice. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a leading accountancy body, has an online directory and also offers advice on choosing an accountant.

Other support in your local area

There are 11 local councils in NI, all of which can provide local information for business - see local council contact details in Northern Ireland.

Local libraries and business libraries are also good sources of information. Find your local library.