Competitions & Funding

Delivered through Techstart NI, this grant supports entrepreneurs throughout Northern Ireland. Compete to win a proof of concept grant worth up to £10,000.

Learn more and apply for a grant

A free course that covers finance, marketing, business planning and sales. Made for anyone aged 18-30 that is looking to start their own business.

Get access to cashflow and business plan templates, along with other free resources

Grants of up to £500 and loans up to £25,000 are also available

Contact: e.donnelly1@ulster.ac.uk

Turn your smart idea into a great business idea. Delivered through Enterprise Ireland, the Student Entrepreneur awards provide an opportunity to receive business advice with a chance to win cash prizes totaling €35,000.

Apply before 15 March 2024

Santander Universities and Engineers in business have made equity free seed funding available to encourage entrepreneurial activity at Ulster University.

Enterprise Hub Bursaries of £1,500 are now available to help student entrepreneurs to develop a business idea, or support a new startup business. (Less than two years old)

Applications are open until 7 March 2025

Available only to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Ulster University students, studying in person at one of the NI campuses.

The Bursaries are limited and awarded on merit, at the discretion of the Ulster University selection panel during March 2025.

(The selection panel's decision is final and there is no right of appeal, feedback on applications is available on request. Bursary funding must only be used for early-stage business startup related expenditure.)

Contact Emma Donnelly for an application form: e.donnelly1@ulster.ac.uk

Applications must be submitted to the Enterprise Hub to Emma Donnelly (e.donnelly1@ulster.ac.uk) before 5pm 7 March 2025.

Applicants may also consider registering on the SantanderX global entrepreneur platform

(Full terms and conditions are detailed within the application form)

INVENT is a competition that celebrates exciting innovators and entrepreneurs.

Discover mentorship, support to fuel your idea, and the opportunity to win a share of the £50,000 prize fund.

Find out more and apply for INVENT 2024

Get connected with training, resources and people that your business needs to grow.

The Santander X Awards are for University linked start-ups.

Apply from Summer to September

Discover support for female business founders.

Available through InvestNI, win financial support of up to £15,000 in salary subvention.

If you have graduated in the last six months and have taken steps towards starting your own business, this programme may be for you.

Find out more information on how to apply