Start

Download Start brochure

Our Start programme offers financial assistance for industrial research and is targeted towards businesses on their own, or businesses working in partnership with Northern Ireland universities.

The Start programme helps to increase the amount of industrial research undertaken by the businesses and universities which have technologies identified in Northern Ireland’s Regional Innovation Strategy as being strategically significant. The programme seeks to:

• provide a strong research and development (R&D) capability within Northern Ireland businesses and universities
• stimulate industrially relevant R&D and accelerate the exploitation of local research
• drive innovative R&D, which will in turn lead to new industries and technology transfer from universities to industry

The project is managed on an open call basis and the financial assistance is in the form of discretionary grants.

Start projects typically run for 18 months to three years, but can be longer or shorter if required.

Who is eligible?

The venture chosen must be able to satisfy project criteria, which includes additionality (project would not proceed without public support), benefits to the wider economy, innovation, industrial relevance, viability and market potential.

Download the Start application form (DOC)	Download the Start company claim form (DOC)
Download the Start guidance notes (DOC)	Download the Start university claim form (DOC)

Contact

Contact your Client Executive, or:
Colin McManus
T: 028 9069 8775
E: colin.mcmanus@investni.com