Founder Labs – Accelerating Innovation Programme
Founder Labs programme is currently closed for applications
The six-month Founder Labs accelerator, funded by Invest Northern Ireland, is designed to support early-stage, innovation-driven enterprises (IDEs) in Northern Ireland. The programme empowers high-potential startups with the resources and mentorship needed to achieve rapid growth and success.
What support was available?
Participants in the programme would have received £25,000 in grant funding and gained access to:
- workshops
- mentorship
- pitching opportunities
- shared workspaces
- international study visits
Additionally, the programme would have offered up to £500,000 in credits from select technology partners.
Who could apply?
Founder Labs was aimed at technology-based startups with ambitious, transformative ideas, targeting the following milestones by their third year of trading:
- over £1 million in revenue or funding
- 60% of sales from outside Northern Ireland
- external investment
The programme was scheduled to begin on 18 November 2024. Applicants needed to be based in Northern Ireland at the time the cohort began and be working full time on their startup (or have the intention to do so upon acceptance into the programme).
The application deadline for the Founder Labs programme was 6 October 2024.
Find more information about the Founder Labs programme.
Founder Labs is delivered by Ormeau Labs in partnership with Dogpatch Labs, Queen's University Belfast and The AMP. The programme is funded by Invest Northern Ireland and New Deal Entrepreneurship Funding.
First published 21 March 2024