Deadline Date: April 21, 2026
The Concept Plus Grant offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to explore the viability and commercial potential of innovative concepts.
The fund focuses on supporting activities such as concept and prototype development, market research including focus groups, expert consultancy, and trade show attendance, market validation through testing concepts with potential customers, market testing activities to determine optimal routes to market, assessment of the uniqueness of intellectual property, and employment costs where a clear deliverable is defined.
The Concept Plus Grant is available on a competitive basis to sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies based in Northern Ireland, with a total funding amount of £30,000. Applicants must demonstrate an innovative or novel concept and be the principal founder of the venture. If applying through a limited company, the principal applicant must be a director and majority shareholder. Residency in Northern Ireland is required, and limited companies must be registered locally. Employment costs may be covered up to 30% of the grant for founders contributing directly to project outputs at a set daily rate of £200, provided the work is clearly defined and directly contributes to the project. Third-party costs must be supported by quotations, with formal supplier quotes required before the grant offer is issued. Applicants are limited to a maximum of two unsuccessful applications per grant period and may submit only one application per round. Previous funding through Catalyst Co-Founders’ Proof of Concept Grants cannot overlap, and university-owned companies are ineligible if the university holds IP or ownership stakes.
Desirable applications balance technology or product development with market-facing activities such as customer discovery and market validation, emphasizing steps toward commercial exploitation and engagement with potential customers. The grant seeks to help entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into viable commercial opportunities by providing the necessary financial support and guidance.
For more information, visit Techstart Ventures LLP.
