InnovateWest Initiative Grant Competition for Entrepreneurs in the UK

Techstart Ventures has joined forces with The Workhouse in Enniskillen to form the “InnovateWest Initiative” – a Grant Funding Opportunity for Entrepreneurs in the Mid West & South West regions of Northern Ireland, with innovative business ideas (both tech & non-tech).

Objective

• This InnovateWest Initiative will seek to support founders in the Mid West & South West regions of Northern Ireland with a grant directed towards exploring the viability and commercial potential of their innovative business idea.

Funding Information

• Grants of up to £10k. (Grants of different values may be awarded, but the maximum grant awarded to any one applicant will be £10k).

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be a Sole Trader, Partnership or Limited Company to apply.
• Applications from Community Interest Companies and Social Enterprises will not be considered.
• You (i.e. Sole Trader, Partnership, Limited Company) must have an innovative business idea.
• The principal applicant must be resident in Northern Ireland within one of the following postcode areas – BT45 / BT46 / BT68 / BT69 / BT70 / BT71 / BT74 / BT75 / BT76 / BT77 / BT78 / BT79/ BT80 / BT92 / BT93 / BT94
• If the principal applicant is applying through a Limited Company then the Company must be registered in Northern Ireland within one of the following postcode areas – BT45 / BT46 / BT68 / BT69 / BT70 / BT71 / BT74 / BT75 / BT76 / BT77 / BT78 / BT79/ BT80 / BT92 / BT93 / BT94. The principal applicant must be the majority shareholder in the Limited Company. (Please note that Techstart may ask for copy of a recent utility bill for proof of address).
• If you are applying for some of the grant to cover the employment costs, then the application must be made by a Limited Company.
• For independent third-party costs, at application stage you must identify your proposed supplier(s).
• If your proposed supplier has provided you with a quotation, you should append to your application.
• You must not have already received a Techstart Concept or Concept Plus grant.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide formal quotations from their proposed Suppliers in advance of a Letter of Offer being issued.
• Up to 30% of the grant awarded is available to cover the employment costs with a set daily rate of £200. For such costs to be approved, your application must clearly detail what work will be done during the PoC project under these costs and what the output will be. Please note that Administration Time, Project Management Time and similar overhead activities will not be deemed eligible activities to be covered within employment costs.

For more information, visit Techstart Ventures.