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About the Proof of Concept programme
The Invest NI Proof of Concept (PoC) programme provides grant funding for the pre-commercialisation of leading edge technologies emerging from Northern Ireland’s Research Organisations – Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and NHS Health and Social Care Trusts.
Applicants from Research Organisations must demonstrate that their ideas have originality and strong commercial potential. Businesses are not eligible for support. The financial assistance provided by the programme helps researchers to develop their ideas and inventions from the laboratory for the global market.
Projects can be typically defined as occurring after advances made during curiosity-driven or strategic research. The programme finances projects with strong commercialisation potential. It is not an alternative source of academic research funding.
What benefits does Proof of Concept programme offer?
There are three stages to PoC:
STAGE 1 (Commercialisation verification)
Designed to allow the applicants to fully explore the commercialisation potential of their discovery whilst giving them the necessary training to fully exploit their customer engagement and determine future commercialisation direction.
STAGE 2 (Commercialisation consolidation)
Projects would enter this stage after the completion of Stage 1 or equivalent. Stage 2 allows for technical development in parallel to the development of a comprehensive commercialisation strategy. Technical development at this stage is defined as moving the technology to a Technology Readiness Level, with a relevant data set, where it can attract further investment.
STAGE 3 (Commercialisation acceleration)
Additional support to accelerate the realisation of economic outcomes for outstanding PoC projects.
The PoC grant covers up to 100% of eligible project costs.
Who is eligible for the Proof of Concept programme?
Explore more
Find out how ProAxis benefited from Proof of Concept support from Invest Northern Ireland.
Contact us
If you are interested in more information on proof of concept, contact our Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 or complete the enquiry form.
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Proof of concept TECHstart
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Technical Advice
Our technical experts can assist you by offering specialist advice and seminars on key areas.