Want to apply for Groundwork for Growth?

Check your eligibility

What is Groundwork for Growth?

Is your business ready to grow into new markets?

Groundwork for Growth supports ambitious and innovative local businesses with the potential to sell outside Northern Ireland. Each successful applicant can receive up to £15,000 in funding to help accelerate business growth.

We’ve designed the programme to help you target new markets, get your products export ready and upskill your team so you can compete on a global stage.

Successful applicants will also be able to connect with other like-minded business owners.

The application call for Groundwork for Growth will close on Monday 2 November 2026 at 12 noon.

How can my business benefit from the Groundwork for Growth programme?

Your business could benefit from:

  • Becoming an Invest Northern Ireland client
  • Receiving up to £15,000 in grant support for market, product, or skills development
  • Participation in an export-focused workshop to help you increase your capability to sell in new markets

Our Groundwork for Growth programme provides a clear pathway for businesses to become an Invest Northern Ireland client and with this receive targeted grant and capability support.

Karen Finlay, Inclusive Entrepreneurship Manager

Who can apply for the Groundwork for Growth programme?

Groundwork for Growth is open to any Northern Ireland business that meets the eligibility criteria and:

  • Is not currently an Invest Northern Ireland client
  • Has the potential to increase sales outside Northern Ireland
  • Has an annual turnover under £2 million, or sales outside Northern Ireland of less than £250,000
  • Can demonstrate the need for government support 

You can find the full criteria in our Groundwork for Growth guidance notes (PDF).

How do I apply for the Groundwork for Growth programme?

The call for applications is now open and will close on Monday 2 November at 9:00. Check your eligibility to apply.

Is your business currently an Invest NI client?
Is your business currently based in Northern Ireland with at least one director, partner or proprietor residing here, and have less than 250 full-time equivalent staff?
Is your business currently trading and generating sales?
Does your business have either an annual turnover under £2m or annual sales to customers outside Northern Ireland of less than £250,000?
Is your business a manufacturing and/or tradeable services business?
Manufacturing and/or tradeable service business are businesses which manufacture goods, or provide services, which are sold to, and consumed in, markets outside of Northern Ireland. It does not cover businesses which provide services to customers that must travel to Northern Ireland to consume them.
Are any of the following the main activity of your business?
  • Cosmetic and beauty services (in-person)
  • Distribution
  • Energy generation, distribution & its infrastructure
  • Healthcare services (in-person)
  • Primary agricultural production
  • Retail (including online)
  • Steel, lignite and coal sectors
  • The fishery and aquaculture sector (production and processing)
  • Tourism accommodation
  • Transport and its infrastructure
  • Visitor attractions
  • Wholesale
Does your business have the potential to achieve at least 25% of sales to customers based outside of Northern Ireland (or at least £250,000 external sales, whichever is lower) within five years?
Does your business have the potential to employ at least 10 staff in total, within five years?
Does your business have access to the balance of funds needed to deliver your Groundwork for Growth project?

Sorry, from your answers your business does not meet the eligibility criteria for Groundwork for Growth.

Outside of Groundwork for Growth, there is a wide range of support available to help grow your business in the form of advice, guidance and funding.

Please visit our website for further details on available support or contact us.

Sorry, from your answers your business does not meet the eligibility criteria for Groundwork for Growth.

Outside of Groundwork for Growth, there is a wide range of support available to help grow your business in the form of advice, guidance and funding.

Please visit our website for further details on available support or contact us.

Find out more about becoming an Invest Northern Ireland client company.

Based on your answers your business is eligible to apply for Groundwork for Growth.

Please click on the below link to start your online application. If you do not already have an account on Invest NI’s customer portal you will be asked to complete that registration process before you can complete the Ambition to Grow application form.

Apply now

You can save your application and return to it at any time, before the closing date of Monday 2 November at 12:00 noon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most common questions we expect about the programme, along with clear answers to help you get started. More in-depth questions and answers can be found in our Groundwork for Growth guidance notes (PDF).  

What type of business is Groundwork for Growth aimed at?

Groundwork for Growth is for manufacturing or tradeable services businesses that are not Invest Northern Ireland clients, meet our client criteria, and do not have immediate plans to create new employment. 
 
To find our client criteria visit How we support business. 

Is Groundwork for Growth suitable for start-up businesses?

To be eligible, your business must already be generating sales and have at least £8,000 available to invest in your project. 

Is the grant money paid up front?

No. We pay grant support in arrears as a percentage of money spent on eligible activities, following an offer of support. 

Do I need to be exporting already to apply?

No. You do not need to be exporting yet, but you must demonstrate how you plan to increase sales to customers based outside Northern Ireland. 

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