Got a novel business idea you want to explore or develop?
Businesses and entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland can now apply for Concept Plus Grants worth up to £30,000 to help turn early‑stage ideas into viable products or services.
The funding, delivered by Techstart Ventures and supported by Invest Northern Ireland, aims to help innovators test the commercial potential of new and original business concepts.
Who can apply
You can apply as a sole trader, a partnership or a limited company if you
- are based and registered in Northern Ireland
- have an innovative or novel idea to prove
- are the founder or (for limited companies) a director and majority shareholder
For Concept Plus grants, your project should balance product or technology development with early market testing, and show potential for commercial use.
Community Interest Companies, social enterprises and university‑owned companies are not eligible.
Support you can get
Grants of up to £30,000 are available. If applying as a limited company, up to 30% of the grant can cover founder employment costs at a fixed rate of £200 per day. The rest can go towards independent third‑party costs, such as design, testing or market research, as set out in your application.
Successful applicants will need to complete Innovate NI’s Innovation Assessment before they can draw down any funding.
How to apply
Apply online through the Techstart application portal. All eligible applicants will be invited to a pitch session with Techstart Ventures before final decisions are made.
The deadline to apply is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.
The Concept Plus Grant is part of Techstart Ventures’ Proof of Concept Fund, which also includes smaller Concept Grants of up to £15,000 available through regional competitions across Northern Ireland, and an annual Female Founders Grant Competition, delivered in partnership with Women in Business NI.
First published 11 March 2026
