Apply for pre-commercial grants for innovative business ideas
The Techstart Proof of Concept grant fund supports entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland by helping them explore the viability and commercial potential of innovative ideas.
There are two types of grants available
- the Concept Grant, which offers up to £15,000
- the Concept Plus Grant, which offers up to £40,000
The funding can support a range of activities, including concept or prototype development, market research, market validation, market testing activities, and the assessment of intellectual property. Additionally, funding can cover employment costs where a clear output will be delivered.
Eligibility
To apply, you must be a sole trader, partnership, or limited company, and your business must be based in Northern Ireland. The principal applicant must also be a resident of Northern Ireland and, if applying through a limited company, must be the majority shareholder.
Key dates
Applications for the Concept Grant are now open.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on 3 June 2025.
All eligible applicants will be invited to a pitch session with Techstart during the week beginning 23 June 2025. Decisions will be made after the pitch sessions.
For more information, you can schedule a brief virtual meeting with the Techstart team to discuss your business idea.
Find out more and apply to TechStart grants.
Please note that Concept Plus Grant details will also be announced soon.
First published 19 May 2025
