Grants and Funding Sources for Business

Business Grants and Funding within Council

Please visit our Grants and Funding page for current opportunities to apply for. 

Grants and Funding Outside of Council

These are just a few known sources of funding for small businesses. 

Further details may be found at the Finance Page of NIBusinessInfo website

Rural Development Grants (administered by DAERA)

Grants from DAERA in addition to the Rural Business Development Grant mentioned above.

Farm Businsss Improvement Scheme  

The Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FBIS) is a package of measures aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the farming sector. FBIS is an important part of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 to 2020 and is being rolled out in a phased way.

Invest NI Innovation Vouchers

An Innovation Voucher provides funding to small and medium sized businesses to work with an expert Knowledge Provider from a University, College or other Public Sector Research Body bringing new knowledge to help businesses innovate, develop and grow.  

Invest NI Access To Finance Portfolio

Invest NI’s Access to Finance funds were created to help companies struggling to access the necessary finance to grow their businesses. 

Enterprise NI:  Start Up Loans 

Enterprise Northern Ireland is involved in the delivery of two loan fund products that can help businesses start-up and grow.  Eligible clients can apply for up to £25,000, repayable between 1 and 5 years at an interest rate of 6.2% APR.  Following disbursal of the loan, clients can access up to 15 hours of mentoring support to help you in key areas of your business development.

Enterprise NI Small Business Loan Fund 

The NI Small Business Loan Fund provides access to finance for small businesses, sole traders and partnerships which are keen to develop their business, but find it difficult to access funding through traditional sources.  Start-up businesses trading less than two years can access up to £15k whereas companies trading longer than this can apply for up to £50k.