Could Your Business Use £5000 To Solve A Knowledge Problem?

Businesses in Northern Ireland will get a chance to apply for up to £5,000 worth of Innovation Vouchers to improve or create new products or services.

The next call for applications will open on Monday 30 January 2017 and close on Friday 17 February 2017 at 15:00.

What are Innovation Vouchers?

Innovation Vouchers are provided by Invest Northern Ireland and are ideal for small or medium-sized businesses wanting to get that extra edge.

A voucher allows you to access skills and expertise from one of 39 registered knowledge providers – ie universities, colleges or technical institutes – throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

If you’re struggling with an issue that needs expert help to solve, you can team up with the knowledge providers and get help to:

  • develop ideas for new and improved products, processes and services
  • test and validate new or enhanced products and services
  • use or experiment with new materials
  • tap into research and scientific expertise

Who can apply?

Small business can apply – including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. Medium-sized businesses can also apply if they have not yet received assistance through Invest Northern Ireland’s research and development programme in the past five years.

What is excluded?

The aim of the programme is to deliver innovation. Some activities are specifically excluded from voucher support. For example, the voucher cannot be used for:

  • buying equipment
  • standard training
  • general marketing
  • website optimisation
  • standard app development
  • business plans and economic appraisals

To see a full list of activities that are not eligible for voucher support, download Innovation Vouchers FAQs.

Find out more about applying for Invest NI’s Innovation Vouchers.