Deadline: 21-Apr-2026
The Concept Plus Grant provides up to £30,000 for entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland to validate and develop innovative concepts. The program supports prototype development, market research, intellectual property assessment, and market validation to help founders transform ideas into commercially viable businesses.
Program Overview
The Concept Plus Grant is designed to help entrepreneurs explore the viability and commercial potential of innovative concepts. It provides financial support for activities that bridge idea development and market readiness, enabling founders to test, refine, and validate their products or services before full-scale launch.
Key Highlights:
- Grant amount: Up to £30,000 per project
- Eligible entities: Sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies based in Northern Ireland
- Focus areas: Concept development, prototype creation, market research, market validation, IP assessment, trade show participation
- Employment costs: Up to 30% of the grant for founders contributing directly to outputs at £200/day
Objectives and Scope
The grant supports:
- Concept and prototype development
- Market research, including focus groups and expert consultancy
- Testing concepts with potential customers for market validation
- Assessing the uniqueness and potential of intellectual property
- Market testing to determine optimal routes to market
- Employment costs where a clear deliverable is defined
- Trade show attendance and promotional activities
Applications that balance technology or product development with market-facing activities are highly desirable. The aim is to help entrepreneurs move from concept to commercial readiness while engaging with potential customers.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be sole traders, partnerships, or limited companies registered in Northern Ireland
- Be the principal founder of the venture; limited company applicants must be a director and majority shareholder
- Have residency in Northern Ireland
- Not have overlapping funding from Catalyst Co-Founders’ Proof of Concept Grants
- Submit only one application per round, with a maximum of two unsuccessful applications per grant period
Exclusions:
- University-owned companies where the university holds IP or ownership stakes
- Applicants who do not meet residency or ownership requirements
How to Apply
- Confirm eligibility based on entity type, residency, and ownership criteria
- Prepare a detailed project plan outlining:
- Concept development and prototypes
- Market research and customer engagement activities
- IP assessment and market validation strategies
- Employment and third-party cost plans with supporting quotations
- Submit one application per round through the designated application portal
- Ensure no overlap with previous Catalyst Co-Founders’ Proof of Concept funding
Benefits
- Financial support to explore and validate innovative ideas
- Assistance in prototype development, market testing, and IP assessment
- Funding for trade shows, expert consultancy, and direct project employment
- Guidance to help transform ideas into commercially viable opportunities
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Exceeding employment cost limits or failing to define deliverables
- Submitting more than one application per round or exceeding the two-application limit per grant period
- Overlapping with previous Catalyst Co-Founders’ funding
- Failing to provide formal supplier quotations for third-party costs
- Applying if a university holds IP or ownership in the venture
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the maximum grant amount?
£30,000 per project. - Who is eligible to apply?
Sole traders, partnerships, or limited companies registered and resident in Northern Ireland, with the principal founder as applicant. - Can employment costs be included?
Yes, up to 30% of the grant for founder contributions at £200/day. - Are university-owned companies eligible?
No, if the university holds IP or ownership stakes. - How many applications can be submitted per round?
One per round, with a maximum of two unsuccessful applications per grant period. - What activities are supported?
Concept development, prototype creation, market research, market validation, IP assessment, trade shows, and consultancy. - Are overlapping grants allowed?
No, previous Catalyst Co-Founders’ Proof of Concept funding cannot overlap.
Conclusion
The Concept Plus Grant 2026 empowers Northern Ireland entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable ventures. By supporting prototype development, market testing, and IP validation, the grant provides both financial resources and strategic guidance to help founders move confidently from concept to market.
For more information, visit Techstart Ventures LLP.