Interested in applying for Founder Labs?

Apply now

What is the Founder Labs programme?

Founder Labs is six-month accelerator programme for ambitious, high-potential technology start-ups in Northern Ireland.  
 
The programme is fully funded by Invest Northern Ireland and is delivered by Ormeau Labs, working with The AMP I Derry~Londonderry, Dogpatch Labs in Dublin, and Queen’s University Belfast. 

The application window Founder Labs closes on Friday 20 November 2026.

How can my business benefit from the Founder Labs programme?

In addition to £25,000 funding, you will get: 

  • Workshops, events, and mentoring to help you grow your business
  • Funding to support your start-up journey
  • Access to a global network of investors
  • Support from the tech start-up community
  • Opportunities for international study visits
  • The chance to pitch your business to both local and international investors 

Founder Labs is an intense, six-month programme. We expect all participants to commit fully and work full time on their business during the programme.  

As a non-technical founder, Founder Labs gave me the tech confidence, strategic clarity and support to think bigger about what MyPromoPal can become. The hands-on programme, Invest NI backing and international exposure broadened my horizons and strengthened my global ambition.

Lee-Anne Schmitz, MyPromoPal 

Founder Labs has significantly expanded our professional network, introducing us to many impactful and supportive connections. The exposure we received, both online and through the programme's events, undoubtedly played a role in securing our pre-seed investment round, enabling us to grow the ConsultTed team.

Stephen Toland, ConsultTed

Founder Labs provided the right mix of challenge, mentorship and networking at a critical stage, helping us sharpen our strategy, accelerate growth and think much bigger about where Farmdrive can go.

Gareth McDonald, Farmdrive

Who is eligible for the Founder Labs programme?

Any start-up in Northern Ireland can apply to Founder Labs if, by their third year of trading, they can: 

  • Achieve revenue or funding of more than £1 million 
  • Make at least 60% of their sales outside Northern Ireland 
  • Secure external investment 

How do I apply for the Founder Labs programme?

The application call for Founder Labs is open until Friday 20 November 2026. 

Apply now

Discover more

Find out why local entrepreneurs applied to Founder Labs and the effect the accelerator programme has had on their start-up.

 

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