The Regional Innovation Challenge

Concept Grants of up the £15k awarded on a competitive basis via The Regional Innovation Challenge to enable founders to validate novel ideas, develop prototypes and progress towards commercialisation.

For the purposes of this competition, Northern Ireland has been divided into four regions, each aligned with specific council areas and supported by a local innovation hub. Applicants will be grouped by region, and shortlisted founders will pitch their idea to a panel, competing only against others in their region.

Find your region

North - in partnership with The AMP

• Derry City & Strabane District Council

• Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council

• Mid & East Antrim Borough Council

• Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council

West - in partnership with The Workhouse

• Fermanagh & Omagh District Council

• Mid Ulster District Council

South - in partnership with CIDO

• Ards & North Down Borough Council

• Lisburn & Castlereagh District Council

• Newry, Mourne & Down District Council

• Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council

Belfast - in partnership with The Innovation Factory

• Belfast City Council

Competition schedule

• Applications to be submitted by competition closing date.

• Shortlisted founders invited to pitch: Details provided after submission

• Decisions announced: October 2026

Please note that if you have previously received a Techstart Proof of Concept Grant of up to £15k, you are not eligible to apply for this Regional Innovation Challenge.