Support for clients

When a business becomes an Invest NI client we assign it a Client Executive, who is the business’s main point of contact in the agency. This person will work in partnership with the client and draw on expertise in Invest NI to deliver the specific support the client needs.

We offer support under the themes of people and strategic development, achieving operating efficiencies, developing new markets and commercialisation of innovation. Several of our programmes support research and development activities.

Our approach is to work closely with each growing client to identify the support programmes and services that will best meet their development needs. We begin with a comprehensive analysis to benchmark the business. This identifies strengths and weaknesses and will help the client move forward in a structured way. Find out how to take a Business Health Check.

Financial assistance

As we work within tight financial constraints we have to focus our financial assistance on projects that have the greatest potential to generate economic growth and prosperity. To be eligible for financial assistance, a project must be viable, show a need for Invest NI support, and generate a positive return to the economy.

Your project will have to meet some of the following criteria:

• have a strategic focus on markets outside Northern Ireland;
• feature innovation by using advanced technologies or strengthened design capabilities;
• result in new, value-added products or services;
• lead to increased employment and greater value-added opportunities;
• create new skills or expertise;
• feature university or research linkages;
• accelerate business growth towards challenging targets; and
• demonstrate that the maximum amount of private sector finance has been raised.

Advisory support

Much of our support for clients is in the form of advice and guidance. We can help with everything from strategic planning through to technical advice, property advice and in-market support in overseas markets. Our aim is to increase the capability of companies, as this will increase their productivity, GVA and international competitiveness.