Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund: Up to £40,000 for Early-Stage Innovators in Northern Ireland

Are you an entrepreneur in Northern Ireland with an revolutionary enterprise thought? The Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund provides up to £40,000 in grant funding to make it easier to take a look at and validate your idea. Whether your thought is in tech or not, this pre-commercial grant might be the launchpad you want to discover market viability and business potential.

About the Program

The Proof of Concept (PoC) Grant Fund is managed by Techstart Ventures LLP and is part of an built-in program supporting revolutionary startups and early-stage companies in Northern Ireland. The grant fund provides two important streams:

• Concept Grant: Up to £15,000

• Concept Plus Grant: Up to £40,000

The Concept Plus Grant is presently open for purposes, with a deadline of 26 August 2025, 5:00 PM BST. Pitch classes will happen the week of 15 September 2025.

Whether you’re refining a health-tech prototype or testing a brand new product-market match in retail, this grant might help you de-risk your thought and put together for future funding. Techstart’s PoC Grant Fund is one of Northern Ireland’s key public funding instruments to help innovation from the bottom up.

Who Can Apply?

This alternative is open to:

• Sole merchants, partnerships, and restricted corporations

• Applicants with a novel and revolutionary idea (each tech and non-tech concepts are eligible)

• Residents of Northern Ireland (Limited corporations should even be registered in NI)

Note: Community Interest Companies and university-owned corporations are not eligible.

What Does the Grant Cover?

The PoC Grant helps actions reminiscent of:

• Concept or prototype improvement

• Market analysis and validation

• Customer discovery and testing

• Assessment of IP uniqueness

• Employment prices (for Ltd corporations solely; up to 30% of grant at a every day fee of £200)

Ineligible Costs

Funding can’t be used for:

• Marketing and promoting prices

• Product improvement past the core idea

• Rent, workplace house, tools purchases, or inventory

• IP safety or firm registration

• Overhead prices like administration or challenge administration

• VAT (if VAT registered)

Grant Structure

• Funds are paid in arrears, primarily based on proof of expenditure

• Employment-related funding requires timesheets and clear deliverables

• Innovate NI Assessment is obligatory earlier than drawing down grant funds

Application Process

1. Submit a web-based application

2. Pitch your thought to the Techstart workforce

3. Get notified about funding choices

4. Attend a briefing session if chosen

5. Begin your PoC journey!

Visit the Techstart Grants website to apply. Questions? Email grants@techstart.vc or book a meeting.

Deadline to Apply for Concept Plus Grant: 26 August 2025 at 5:00 PM BST
Pitch classes start: Week of 15 September 2025

For extra alternatives like this, go to Opportunities for Youth.