Go Succeed Start | NI Business Support

You've got an idea,
let's make it a business.

What is Go Succeed Start?

Go Succeed Start is the new go-to source for expert business advice led by Northern Ireland's eleven local councils. It provides advice and guidance for people who have an idea for a new business and need help turning it into a reality.

Who is Go Succeed Start for?

If you’ve got a passion for owning your own business…if you’re currently running a side hustle from your kitchen table and think you could make a living from it (with some help)... or if you dream about working for yourself but are not sure how to go about it - Go Succeed Start is for you!

This part of the service focuses on providing you with a wide range of tools and the plans you need to get your business started.

How can Go Succeed Start help me?

Go Succeed Start’s dedicated mentors will work with you to create a tailored plan that best suits your business needs. We will also help you develop a business idea, if you don’t have one yet. The mentor assigned to you will have a deep understanding of your business sector and area and you will have the opportunity to contact them at any stage for advice. A host of learning materials will also be made available and you can attend any of our business masterclasses and events. We can also help you with applications for funding support (where applicable) to help your business progress.

Benefits of Go Succeed Start

On Start you will have access to:

One to one advice and guidance of up to 13 hours* from an extensive range of experts across a wide range of sectors
Masterclasses & events
Grant funding (Early stage trading businesses that demonstrate potential to become employer enterprises)
Peer to peer support

How to start your business with Go Succeed Start

Go Succeed Start’s dedicated business expert(s) will work with you to create a tailored plan that best suits your business needs. We can also support you to develop a business idea, if you don’t have one yet. Rest assured, the expert(s) assigned to you will have a deep understanding of your business sector and area and you will have the opportunity to contact them at any stage for advice. A host of learning materials will be made available and you will be invited to attend business webinars and events. We can also help with applications for funding support if it is needed to help your business progress.

Step 1

Register with Go Succeed and within three working days a member of the team will be in touch.

Step 2

Sign up for events, workshops and masterclasses through our events page. Your mentor will also support you to identify events and peer support networks that meet your needs.

Step 3

Your mentor will create a bespoke plan based on your requirements to help make your idea a reality or take your start up to the next level. Your needs will be tailored based on what stage you are at.

Success Stories

Co Antrim artist Danielle Morgan is turning her love of pottery into a career after receiving support to grow her business through Go Succeed, a new programme funded by the UK Government and powered by the UK Levelling Up Fund.

Danielle Morgan
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Nicole Crane
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Danielle Morgan
Nicole Crane
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FAQs  

Yes, Go Succeed is for you and we can support you to develop your business idea. Go Succeed is the new go-to source for expert business advice led by Northern Ireland’s eleven local councils. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur just starting out; are looking to grow your business; or are planning to scale up; our team of industry experts will provide tailored support and guidance to help you achieve your business goals.

We can support your business if it is legally registered in Northern Ireland. This includes online businesses that sell products abroad. Please talk to us about your circumstances if you are unsure.

This service is free of charge with funding provided from UK Shared Prosperity Fund. We can support businesses with grant funding however we do request a 30% match fund from the business. Your mentor will be able to advise you on this.

Go Succeed Start aims to support individuals who might have a business idea and who are thinking of starting a business. We can support you with masterclasses, access to grant funding, online business plan resources, one to one mentoring and peer support networks.

The Go Succeed Grant is for businesses currently accessing support via the Go Succeed service and who have identified a barrier to growth. You must have completed 50% of the mentoring with your mentor before applying and be actively trading. The grant supports businesses who are or who have the potential to become an employer business or social economy enterprise with a minimum of one full time employee and less than 50 full time employees.