Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund

The Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund supports entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland with grants to explore the viability and commercial potential of innovative concepts.

📝 About Techstart Proof of Concept Plus Grant Fund

The Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund is a pre-commercial grant awarding fund that supports entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland on a competitive basis. The fund provides grants to explore the viability and commercial potential of novel and innovative concepts.

Key Details:

• Date Published: June 23, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 26, 2025
• Category: Entrepreneurs, Grants
• Opportunity Location: Northern Ireland
• Eligible Locations: Northern Ireland

Types of Grants:

1. Concept Grant: Up to £15k
2. Concept Plus Grant: Up to £40k

These grants are available throughout the year to applicants across Northern Ireland. Additionally:

• Concept Grants will be provided via 4 geographic-specific application calls (Belfast, North, South, and West).
• Concept Plus Grants will also be offered annually through the Female Founders Grant Competition, held in partnership with Women in Business NI.

✅ Eligible Activities

The following activities are eligible for support under the grant:

• Concept/Prototype Development
• Market Research: Activities such as focus groups, domain expert consultancy, or attendance at relevant trade shows.
• Market Validation: Costs associated with testing the concept with potential customers and end-users.
• Market Testing Activities: Expenditure incurred in testing the best way to take the product to market.
• Assessment of uniqueness of IP
• Employment costs: Where a clear output will be delivered.

🚫 Non-Eligible Activities

The following activities are not eligible for support:

• Costs of company registration/legal incorporation
• IP protection costs (e.g., trademarks)
• Product development activities beyond the core product
• Marketing and costs of selling
• Costs incurred before the award of the grant or outside the agreed project timeframe
• VAT (if VAT registered)
• Costs not directly connected with the project
• Tablets, laptops, or similar equipment
• Trading stock/stock for resale
• Rent/office space
• Administration time, project management time, and similar overhead activities
• Subsistence (e.g., food, taxis, trains, car hire, mileage)

🎯 Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applications can be submitted as a Sole Trader, Partnership, or Limited Company. Applications from Community Interest Companies and Social Enterprises will not be considered.
• Applicants must have an innovative/novel concept to prove.
• The principal applicant must be the founder. If applying through a Limited Company, the principal applicant must be a Director and majority shareholder in the company.
• The principal applicant must be resident in Northern Ireland, and Limited Companies must be registered in Northern Ireland. Proof of address may be required (e.g., utility bill).
• For employment costs, applications must be made by a Limited Company.
• Applicants must identify proposed suppliers for independent third-party costs and provide formal quotations before the grant is awarded.
• Employment costs: Up to 30% of the grant can cover employment costs for founders working internally, with a daily rate of £200.
• Applicants can have no more than two unsuccessful applications within the current grant fund period (2025–2030).
• Applicants can only submit one application per round.
• Double-funding is not allowed (e.g., costs covered by other grants cannot be funded again).
• University-related companies are not eligible if the university has an ownership stake in the company or associated IP.

Desirable Criteria for Concept Plus Grants:

• A balance between technology/product development and market-facing activities (e.g., customer discovery, market validation).
• Greater emphasis on steps toward commercial exploitation and engagement with potential customers.

💡 Benefits

• Funding in the form of a Concept Plus Grant of up to £40k.
• All eligible applicants will be invited to a Pitch Session with Techstart. Pitches for this round will take place during the week commencing September 15, 2025.

📅 Application Date and Process

Application Process:

1. Submit your application by the closing date.
2. Eligible applicants will be invited to a short pitch and Q&A session with Techstart.
3. Applications will be reviewed and scored by Techstart.
4. Final decisions will be made by Techstart.

📌 Application Deadline

August 26, 2025 (Tuesday, 5 PM)

🔗 Application Portal

Apply for the Techstart Proof of Concept Plus Grant Fund via the official portal:
Techstart Application Portal

For more details, visit the Techstart Grants Website.

📧 Contact Information

For inquiries, contact Techstart directly at:
Email: grants@techstart.vc

• The funding comes in the form of a Concept Plus Grant (up to £40k).
• All eligible applicants will be invited to a Pitch Session with Techstart. Pitches for this round of applications will take place week commencing 15th September 2025.