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Are you thinking of starting a business or are you maybe ready to start your business.

Either way, you will need a business plan.

The Go For It Programme will assist you with developing a business plan. A business plan is a written document that describes your business. It covers objectives, strategies, sales, marketing and financial forecasts.

A business plan helps you to:

• clarify your business idea
• spot potential problems
• set out your goals
• measure your progress
• access finance to start and grow your business

Key benefits of the Go For It Programme include:

• An initial business assessment meeting
• Tailored guidance to develop and complete your business plan with a dedicated Business Advisor
• One-to-one finance and business planning meeting
• Access to additional training and support through our other initiatives

Through this support, you will receive the expert guidance you need to help you get started.

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The Go For It programme will provide you with confidential and impartial advice on a one-to-one basis on all aspects of starting up your business.

Go For It is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs in Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

This includes the development of a business plan for your business which can be used to access funding such as grants and loans.

• Initial meeting with Business Advisor to discuss your business idea and identification of potential support available
• Financial business planning session to gather information for and discuss business plan
• Sign off meeting to review business plan and identify next steps

What will I get out of it?

• Bespoke business plan that can be used to source funding such as grants and loans
• Opportunity to attend FREE business workshops
• Access to dedicated Business Advisor for guidance and advice on range of business start-up issues

“Participating on this programme has been really worthwhile as it has helped me to take a step back and look properly at my idea. I’ve always been in employment so the thought of going it alone was a daunting one but I’m now feeling much better prepared and through my business plan have a clear vision of how I will set up and grow my new business”

Mark O’Neill – The Roof Window Specialist

This programme is funded by Invest NI and European Social Fund .

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Go For It – Support for starting a business

Thinking of starting a business? You’ll need a business plan. We’ve helped hundreds of people to start their own business – and you could be next! Through the Go for it programme we provide free support to entrepreneurs in Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballycastle and the surrounding towns and villages to turn their ideas into a reality.  

This programme is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014 – 2020) Programme.

The Go for it programme provides you with professional business mentoring and support tailored to your business idea and will help you develop your business objectives, strategies, sales, marketing and financial forecasts.

The programme will help you to:  

• Clarify and focus your business idea.
• Spot potential problems.
• Complete your research.
• Set out your goals.
• Understand finance forecasting.
• Measure your progress.
• Develop your written business plan  
• Access finance to start and grow your business.

We have a team of business advisors located in Coleraine, Ballymoney and Ballycastle who will provide step-by-step support and mentoring through the business planning process.  

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Ready to start your business we would love to help you get started.

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If you want to start a business, you will need a business plan. As well as your product or service, you will need to think about what you will call your business, what sort of structure it will have and how you are going to run it.

The Go For It programme, run free of charge through the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is perfect for anyone thinking about starting a business or in the first 6 months of their business. It will help you to develop your business plan for FREE which is like a roadmap to success for your new business idea. Every year Go For It helps hundreds of people to start up their business in Northern Ireland. By matching individuals with an experienced business mentor, they will receive step by step advice and mentoring to produce their own business plan and to go on to register for self-employment.

Be Inspired by People who "Went for It!

You’ll also need to think about how you are going to attract customers and where the money will come from for setting up.

Go For It will:

• Help you to identify what you need to do and where you can find the information you need
• Help you to develop your business plan.
• Give you guidance on registering as self-employed, setting up your financial planning and understanding the legal requirements that must be met when starting up a business.

We’ll also help you to figure out how to finance your start-up and what effect it will have on your personal finances while you wait for profits to show.

Go For It is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014 – 2020) Programme.

Visit goforitni to find out more or complete the form below to register for a callback with more information.

Interested in discussing?

Roe Valley Enterprises Ltd (RVE) is a local enterprise agency in the Causeway Coast & Glens council area. 

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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.

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

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.

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.

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FAQs  

Can i still receive support if i don’t have a business set up.

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.

I am a resident of NI but my business is based elsewhere. Can I get support?

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.

Do I have to pay for the service?

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.

What is involved in this service?

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.

Am I eligible for grant assistance?

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.

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Go Succeed Business Support

Get expert business advice with go succeed, register for go succeed, case study of a growth business, how go succeed can help you, case study of a start-up business, go succeed start workshops.

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.

Register for Go Succeed  (link opens in new window)

Go Succeed can provide advice and information to help you start , grow or scale a business.

Starting your business

You have a great idea but you're not sure how to turn it into a business, or you have already started in business and need mentorship on your next steps. 

Our Go Succeed Start experts will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running.

Growing your business

Your business is already established and is ready to expand. But growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress. 

Our Go Succeed Grow experts have seen this before in most sectors, so they'll provide tailored support to help shorten the journey to business growth.

Scaling your business

Your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally. But you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. 

Our Go Succeed Scale industry experts will help tailor your plans to penetrate new markets, identify investment opportunities and scale up your operations.

You can register online for Go Succeed (link opens in new window), call the Go Succeed programme on 0800 027 0639 or visit your local enterprise agency.

Go Succeed is funded by the UK Government.

Watch the video to find out how Active Wellness benefitted from the council's support to guide them through their start-up stage. The video plays for two minutes and five seconds.

Marie's business, Titanic Denim, started off as an inspiring hobby and grew into a thriving multi award-winning luxury sustainable denim brand. Read more about her story .

Watch the video to find out how the council and the Go Succeed NI service played a crucial role in helping Titanic Denim grow to new heights. This video is 1 minute, 51 seconds. 

Book a workshop and get business insights on financial planning, marketing and exporting. 

• Book a Go Succeed Start workshops  online (link opens in new window)

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Budding entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland urged to Go For It with free mentorship programme

The Go For It programme offers free support and guidance for people with a business idea in Northern Ireland

• 13:29, 27 JUN 2023

Four of Northern Ireland’s top new entrepreneurs came together this week in South Belfast to discuss their unique business journeys, and the help and support they have received from the Go For It programme , a free advice and mentoring scheme part-funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund.

Go For It offers would-be entrepreneurs the opportunity of six hours of free mentorship from a business expert in their local area, who can help with anything from producing a business plan to marketing, social media, SEO, financing, accounting and - in many cases - the validation and confidence boost they need to make their business dreams a reality, whatever their idea.

The discussion was hosted by Caroline O'Neill, founder of popular social media account Digg Mama and the director of Digg For Success, which helps business owners grow their brand and business online. Caroline believes that open and honest conversation, both in business and in life, empowers people to make changes for the better.

Maia White, a 22-year-old baker and entrepreneur from Cullybackey outside Ballymena , says the programme gave her the extra impetus she needed to realise her dream of opening her own café.

Six years after leaving school and serving an informal apprenticeship in a number of local businesses, she is now the proud owner of The Ticket Bakehouse, a thriving café and bakery located at Cullybackey railway station near Ballymena.

A talented baker, Maia’s break came when she was offered the space out of the blue, and despite her limited experience and business know-how, she found that the Go For It programme gave her the confidence and skills to make the leap towards running her own business.

“Go For It was great for the business plan,” she says. “It was fantastic for setting the groundwork and informing my business idea.

“I just said, 'Look, I want to open a bakery, but I have no idea about accounts, costs and figures and all that there'. [My mentor] Peter helped me out and he said, 'You should make these targets - if you're meeting them you're doing well, and if you're exceeding them you're doing amazing. And if you're a wee bit below, bring it back and we'll talk about it'.

“But as well as the logistical stuff, it was the confidence that it gave me. It geed me on and it made me feel like, 'Okay, this man's telling me that I could do this, so I'm gonna go and do it'.”

Maia says that she has seen huge benefits from the doors that Go For It helped to open for her, introducing her to business contacts and local people keen to share their knowledge and experience.

“Even though my mentorship was only six hours, there's 100 other paths, and it's [about] getting your name out there," she adds.

“Honestly, you have to be a chatter - you can't be in business if you don't open your mouth. Some people say that I talk too much, but it gets you places and you find out things about people, and people are like 'Oh, I know that person and I can link you up', and then you're straight in.”

For Melanie Harrison, the owner of the hotel we’re sitting in, The Harrison Chambers of Distinction on Belfast’s Malone Road , Go For It was all about the pathways that it has set her on.

A single mother in her 50s with a varied career history, she’s at a different stage in life to Maia White, but the programme has been no less helpful. Having moved home from France following the end of a relationship, she felt she had nothing to lose, but Go For It helped her not just to get the hotel open and off the ground but to take it to the next level.

“I went along with the business plan and they reformatted it into a document that you could go and show to the bank,” she says. “And they signposted me and helped me to go into Belfast City Council , the mentoring: there's a whole raft of other opportunities. I didn't know about all of this sort of stuff before.

“Everyone has different needs and different wants, and they're all at different stages in their life and their business, so it can be tailored around what people really need and what they really want.”

John McCourt, a heavily-bearded 32-year-old from Newtownabbey, was shopping online for beard care products when a friend suggested that he should have a go at making his own.

Having recently been made redundant from his job in the motor trade during the pandemic, he was ready for a new challenge, and after tinkering with balms and oils at his kitchen table, he founded beard care brand Big Phat Beard.

He now offers 28 different products on his website and he’s recently opened his first barbershop on north Belfast's Shore Road. When he got in touch with Go For It, however, he was finding the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship overwhelming.

“We developed my business plan and once we completed it, it was good to be able to have a roadmap that I could follow step by step, each part of the journey,” he says. “You know, how to source my materials, how to source my packaging, how to market, how to get a logo, and dealing with your taxes and stuff, because it was a massive thing for me.

“Just to have that all in one place was so simple and it took a lot of fear away, instead of having to worry about all these different things in different places.”

John freely admits that that sense of fear has never left him, but the confidence he has gained from taking part in Go For It and now running a successful business himself has helped him to use it as fuel for his career as an entrepreneur.

“I think that if you don't have the fear and you become comfortable, that's when things can start to go slack,” he says. “If you're always on edge, you'll always be on the cusp of innovation and progression and certainly, the fear does help.

“Before I started, I saw a quote which was, 'Whenever you're afraid is the perfect time to jump'. So I just jumped straight into it because there is never going to be a right time.”

The last word goes to Ryan ‘Duff’ Tracey, who runs the children’s soft play centre and café Duff Land in Beragh, County Tyrone. He’s a busy man with a wife and seven children, and previous careers in local government and as a children’s entertainer - in 2017 he appeared on Britain's Got Talent where he broke the world record for making balloon models blindfolded against the clock. His message to budding entrepreneurs is simple: the time is now.

“Get up, get after it and stop hanging about, because time slips away very quick,” he says. “I'm 41 and I came to it later in my life, but thankfully, I still have plenty of years left to do this.

“The sooner you start the easier it will be to some extent, because you have a bit of longevity, but at the same time it doesn't matter what age you are.

“You need to be brave enough to take a step. You are brave, it's in you - find it, use it and step forward with your passion.”

Do you need a business plan to drive your business forward? Call 0800 027 0639 or visit www.goforitni.com to set up your free appointment.

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Go For It: NI programme marks 5500 business start-ups

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The ‘Go For It Programme' has helped mentor over 5,500 entrepreneurs from across Northern Ireland launch their own business plans in the last two years.

Successful applicants were taken through the process of creating a business plan covering financial forecasting , marketing and long-term business growth.

The programme’s manager, Eugene McGuckin, said that “through its network of enterprise partners, the 'Go For It Programme' offers budding entrepreneurs expert mentoring on the real challenges facing local start-up businesses.

“This tried and tested business plan provides candidates with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and it gives them the final push they need to finally launch their business. I would encourage anyone who has an idea for a business to get in touch and seek the support that the 'Go For It Programme' provides.”

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Welcoming the 5,500 milestone, Alan McKeown, Invest NI’s Executive Director of Regional Business said: “This is an encouraging result for local councils as they work collaboratively to encourage self-starters across Northern Ireland to fulfil their potential. Entrepreneurs and micro-businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy and 'Go For It' is a valuable first step towards thousands of new businesses in Northern Ireland.”

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business call 0800 027 0639 or visit: visit  www.goforitni.com

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Niamh is a Sync NI writer with a previous background of working in FinTech and financial crime. She has a special interest in sports and emerging technologies. To connect with Niamh, feel free to send her an email or connect on Twitter .

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028 9082 0947

6 June 2024

Go Succeed is the new source for business advice led by Northern Ireland’s eleven local councils.

Whether you…

• are a budding entrepreneur just starting out, the business team will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running.
• if you are looking to grow your business the Go Succeed Grow experts will provide tailored support to help shorten the journey to business growth.
• or if you are planning to scale up the Go Succeed Scale industry experts will help tailor your plans to penetrate new markets, identify investment opportunities and scale up your operations.

Your business can avail of between 10 and 21 hours of tailored mentoring support, and the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £4,000, (70% subvention rate). You’ll also get the chance to attend webinars, workshops and bootcamps with some of Northern Ireland’s leading experts in topics such as prospecting, understanding customer needs, developing a pitch, overcoming objections and closing a deal.

Find out more about getting a mentor here and joining the programme.

Find guides and resources here.

Find events in your area here!

The Go Succeed team of industry experts will provide tailored support and guidance to help you achieve your business goals. Contact the team today.

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Go For It Programme supports over 7,200 entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland

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• Go For It Programme supports…

The Go For It Programme has supported over 7,200 would-be entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland in the last three years.

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has joined forces with Council areas across Northern Ireland to urge local entrepreneurs to ‘Go For It’ in 2021 with the support of the Go For It Programme.

The Go For It programme is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced business advisors across Northern Ireland. It provides expert advice and help with developing a robust business plan, covering everything from financial forecasting to marketing and long-term sales growth. 

Councillor Laura Devlin, Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said: “The Go For It Programme, delivered by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, helps candidates create a business plan tailored to their business idea, focusing on important elements such as financial forecasting and accounts, sales and marketing, and how they can potentially access funding.

“This tried and tested business plan provides candidates with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and it gives them the final push they need to finally launch their business.

“So if you’re thinking about starting a business in 2021, I would encourage you to get in touch and seek the support that the Go For It Programme provides.” 

Dr Eugene McGuckin, Programme Manager, Northern Ireland Business Start Up Programme said: “The Go For It Programme continues to be a fantastic asset in helping entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland access the advice and support they need to develop a business plan.

“Over 7,200 new business plans in three years is a remarkable milestone, and local Councils are really proud that so many entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to establish the business of their dreams with the support of the Go For It Programme.

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business call 0800 027 0639 or visit: visit www.goforitni.com

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‘Remarkable milestone’ as almost 9,000 Northern Ireland entrepreneurs Go For It!

The scheme, which aims to help local entrepreneurs to translate their business idea into reality, is part funded by Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs NI (2014-2020) Programme.

All 11 councils in NI have banded together to urge entrepreneurs to Go For It in 2022 with the support of the programme.

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The programme is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced business advisors across NI. It provides expert advice and help with developing a robust business plan, covering everything from financial forecasting to marketing and long-term sales growth.

Thanks to the Go For It programme, Melanie Harrison revamped a Victorian townhouse in south Belfast, transforming it into a quirky boutique hotel that celebrates the city’s rich literary heritage.

“For anybody starting a business, Go For It opens the gateways for so many other opportunities,” she explained.

Meanwhile, nutrition student Amy Fry transformed her garage in Cullybackey into a skincare studio specialising in problem skincare thanks to support from the scheme: “Go For It is fantastic - there was no unnecessary preparation for opening, but everything was in place and ready to go.”

Former Gaelic player Eoghan Heaney from Armagh launched a fitness studio, Tribe Fitness, and was able to adapt the business plan to a remote model during lockdown.

He said: “For somebody who is starting out and needs some clarification on how to manage and structure a business, the Go For It programme is definitely the thing to do.”

And Karl Simmonds was able to transform his furlough hobby - making sourdough bread - into Northern Ireland’s newest artisan bakery, Flat & Brown Bakehouse, during lockdown with help from Go For It: “It gave me a push to set up a proper business rather than selling bread to neighbours and friends. It was an incentive to carry on and expand.”

Dr Eugene McGuckin, programme manager, NI Business Start Up Programme, added: “The Go For It Programme continues to be a fantastic asset in helping entrepreneurs across NI access the advice and support they need to develop a business plan. Almost 9,000 new business plans in four years is a remarkable milestone, and local Councils are really proud that so many entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to establish the business of their dreams with the support of the Go For It Programme.

“The Go For It Programme helps candidates create a business plan tailored to their business idea, focusing on important elements such as financial forecasting and accounts, sales and marketing, and how they can potentially access funding. This tried and tested business plan provides candidates with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and it gives them the final push they need to finally launch their business.

“So if you’re thinking about starting a business in 2022, I would encourage you to get in touch and seek the support that the Go For It Programme provides.”

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business call: 0800 027 0639 or visit: www.goforitni.com

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9000 entrepreneurs supported by Go For It Programme

Almost 9,000 entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland have been supported by the Go For It Programme over the past four years, with more than 3000 new business plans drawn up in 2021 alone.

The scheme, which aims to help entrepreneurs across the country to translate their business idea into reality, is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

All 11 councils in Northern Ireland have banded together to urge local entrepreneurs to Go For It in 2022 with the support of the programme.

The Go For It programme is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced business advisors across Northern Ireland. It provides expert advice and help with developing a robust business plan, covering everything from financial forecasting to marketing and long-term sales growth.

Thanks to the Go For It programme, Melanie Harrison revamped a Victorian townhouse in south Belfast, transforming it into a quirky boutique hotel that celebrates the city’s rich literary heritage.

“For anybody starting a business, Go For It opens the gateways for so many other opportunities,” she says.

Meanwhile, nutrition student Amy Fry transformed her garage in Cullybackey into a skincare studio specialising in problem skincare thanks to support from the scheme.

“Go For It is fantastic – there was no unnecessary preparation for opening, but everything was in place and ready to go,” she says.

Former Gaelic player Eoghan Heaney from Armagh launched a fitness studio, Tribe Fitness, and was able to adapt the business plan to a remote model during lockdown.

“For somebody who is starting out and needs some clarification on how to manage and structure a business, the Go For It programme is definitely the thing to do,” he says.

And Karl Simmonds was able to transform his furlough hobby – making sourdough bread – into Northern Ireland’s newest artisan bakery, Flat & Brown Bakehouse, during lockdown with help from Go For It.

“It gave me a push to set up a proper business rather than selling bread to neighbours and friends. It was an incentive to carry on and expand,” he says.

Dr Eugene McGuckin, Programme Manager, Northern Ireland Business Start Up Programme said: “The Go For It Programme continues to be a fantastic asset in helping entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland access the advice and support they need to develop a business plan.

“Almost 9,000 new business plans in four years is a remarkable milestone, and local Councils are really proud that so many entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to establish the business of their dreams with the support of the Go For It Programme.

“The Go For It Programme helps candidates create a business plan tailored to their business idea, focusing on important elements such as financial forecasting and accounts, sales and marketing, and how they can potentially access funding.

“This tried and tested business plan provides candidates with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and it gives them the final push they need to finally launch their business.

“So if you’re thinking about starting a business in 2022, I would encourage you to get in touch and seek the support that the Go For It Programme provides.”

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business visit: visit www.goforitni.com

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Go For It Programme - 5,500 New Business Start-Ups in 2 Years

The Go For It Programme has helped over 5,500 entrepreneurs from across Northern Ireland launch their very own business plan in the last two years.

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

The Go for it programme has mentored would-be entrepreneurs across all 11 Council areas of Northern Ireland by taking them through the process of creating a business plan, covering everything from financial forecasting to marketing and long-term business growth. 

Eugene McGuckin, Programme Manager, Northern Ireland Business Start Up Programme said: “The Go For It Programme continues to be a fantastic success across Northern Ireland.  Over 5,500 new business plans in two years is a remarkable milestone.

“We’re really proud that so many entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to establish the business of their dreams with the incredible support and expert advice on offer through the Go For It Programme.

“Through its network of enterprise partners, the Go For It Programme offers budding entrepreneurs expert mentoring on the real challenges facing local start-up businesses.

“It will help candidates create a business plan tailored to their business idea, focusing on important elements such asfinancial forecasting and accounts, sales and marketing, and how they can potentially access funding.

“This tried and tested business plan provides candidates with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and it gives them the final push they need to finally launch their business. I would encourage anyone who has an idea for a business to get in touch and seek the support that the Go For It Programme provides.” 

Welcoming this important milestone, Alan McKeown, Invest NI’s Executive Director of Regional Business said: “This is an encouraging result for local councils as they work collaboratively to encourage self-starters across Northern Ireland to fulfil their potential. Entrepreneurs and micro-businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy and Go For It is a valuable first step towards thousands of new businesses in Northern Ireland.”

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business call 0800 027 0639 or visit: visit  WWW.GOFORITNI.COM

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Go Succeed - NI Business Support  

Starting your own business is a big step.  Before you decide, you need to make sure your idea is viable and that your business model is sustainable. We have the experience and advice you need to turn an aspiration or idea into a successful and profitable business.

Have you ever dreamed of running your own business or thought about working for yourself?  Go for it!

Go Succeed is a NI wide service designed for people thinking about starting a business and is delivered by Enterprise North West in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland and the 11 NI Councils. 

Enterprise North West has helped hundreds of people explore the potential for setting up their own business and successfully guided them through the process of doing so.

Self-employment is not the easy option, it takes lots of planning. You need to think about many things including sourcing funding and whether there is a gap in the market.

We can guide you through this task step by step and provide you with free, confidential and impartial advice that can help you make the right decisions for you and your business.

Go Succeed will help you to –

Identify all the elements of your business, including people, markets and finance.

Pinpoint any gaps in your idea and help you to produce a comprehensive Business Plan that you can use to access funding from banks or other organisations

Provide guidance on registering for self-employment and understanding the legal issues that may affect your business.

For further information feel free to contact us on 028 71352693 or email  [email protected]  

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New Centra store for Larne following £650,000 investment

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Amy turns business idea into a reality with help from ‘Go for It’

The scheme, which aims to help entrepreneurs across the country to translate their business idea into reality, is part funded by Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

All 11 councils in Northern Ireland have banded together to urge local entrepreneurs to Go For It in 2022 with the support of the programme.

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The Go For It programme is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced business advisors across NI. It provides expert advice and help with developing a robust business plan, covering everything from financial forecasting to marketing and long-term sales growth.

Thanks to the Go For It programme, Cullybackey nutrition student Amy Fry transformed her garage in Cullybackey into a skincare studio specialising in problem skincare thanks to support from the scheme. She said: “Go For It is fantastic - there was no unnecessary preparation for opening, but everything was in place and ready to go.”

Dr Eugene McGuckin, Programme Manager, NI Business Start Up Programme said: “The Go For It Programme continues to be a fantastic asset in helping entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland access the advice and support they need to develop a business plan. Almost 9,000 new business plans in four years is a remarkable milestone, and local Councils are really proud that so many entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to establish the business of their dreams with the support of the Go For It Programme. The Go For It Programme helps candidates create a business plan tailored to their business idea, focusing on important elements such as financial forecasting and accounts, sales and marketing, and how they can potentially access funding. This tried and tested business plan provides candidates with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and it gives them the final push they need to finally launch their business.So if you’re thinking about starting a business in 2022, I would encourage you to get in touch and seek the support that the Go For It Programme provides.”

To find out more call: 0800 027 0639 or visit: www.goforitni.com

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Murphy launches new Digital Skills Action Plan

Date published: 25 September 2024

• Further education
• Higher education
• DfE's role in further education
• DfE's role in higher education
• Skills strategies

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has launched a Digital Skills Action Plan for 2024-34.

The Action Plan sets out how digital skills will be nurtured and supported over the next decade by creating alternative pathways into the digital sector.

Speaking about the Action Plan after visiting Belfast Met’s e3 campus, the Minister said:

“Investment in the skills and talent of our people is vital for our economic success. In this age of rapid technological change and development, digital skills and a digitally competent workforce are crucial to ensuring the continued competitiveness of our businesses. “This Action Plan will support and develop digital skills, promoting the breadth of career opportunities within the digital sector. We will create alternative pathways into the sector, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups of people and those who need additional support to access the same opportunities as others.”

The Minister concluded:

“Our ambition is to transform the north into a world leading digital hub. Focusing on our digital skills will boost our economy and result in more and better job opportunities and greater earning potential, alongside improved individual wellbeing and social inclusion.”

The Action Plan was developed by the Department for the Economy’s Digital Skills Industry Reference Group and the NI Skills Council.

John Healy, Ex-Chair of the Digital Skills Reference Group, said:

“Digital skills are at the very core of our lives and economy; these skills are essential in how we live and work. To keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital landscape, we need to continue to invest in our people, and embrace the change to enrich many aspects of our lives. “The Digital Skills Reference Group has delivered the Digital Skills Action Plan, which is a significant milestone for the group. This plan sets out alternative pathways into the sector. This would not be possible without the successful collaboration of our local government officials, educators and industry.”

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, which was represented on the Digital Skills Industry Reference Group, said:

“The creative and screen industries are delivering growth, employment and innovation. Through its three Creative Learning Centres, Northern Ireland Screen is continually investing in training and development to improve digital skills for young people and teachers across the curriculum. “We remain strongly committed to the provision of programmes that target the marginalised and most disadvantaged schools and are delighted to support DfE’s Digital Skills Action Plan to provide more opportunities for young people, regardless of background or circumstances, to experience, learn and develop creative and digital skills.”

The Digital Skills Action Plan 2024-34 is available at:  Digital Skills Action Plan 2024 - 2034 - DfE website

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the Department’s internal records management system. The Department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The Department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website. 2. To keep up to date with news from the Department for the Economy you can follow us on the following social media channels:

X – @Economy_NI Facebook – @DeptEconomyNI Instagram – economy_ni LinkedIn – Department for the Economy NI   3. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at [email protected]   4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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Invention for Innovation - Connect Business Plan Guidance for Applicants

• Published: 18 May 2022
• Version: V 9.0 - March 2024

This guidance is relevant to applicants preparing to submit an i4i Connect Business Plan (stage 2) application.

You must complete an online application via the Research Management System (RMS) . The deadline for submission is on 1 May at 1 pm.

Section 1. Application Process

1.1 application deliverables .

As part of the i4i Connect Stage 2 Application, applicants are required to submit a business plan of 15 pages maximum (the minimum font size should not be less than 10pt), a 3 minute video pitch and a SoECAT  form. Note: if you believe a SoECAT is not needed for your project (e.g. there is no recruitment of participants), a document must be submitted in place of a SoECAT to justify why this is not needed.

1.1.1 Business Plan 

The content of the business plan must address the assessment criteria provided in the Expression of Interest (EOI) guidance document . The business plan can be in your own format but it should provide the following information which can be arranged using the following suggested headings:

Technology Overview 

Include a description of the proposed technology, its intended use, the unmet patient need, the value proposition, details of the associated Intellectual Property (IP) ownership and management arrangements.

Business Opportunity and Objectives

A description of your business, outlining the different products and/or services you offer (or value proposition) and business aims.

Market and Competition

Details of the intended market and competitor analysis for your technology.

Sales and Marketing Plan

Details of your sales strategy/channels, pricing strategy, route to market, commercialisation strategy, business model, risk analysis, market validation and marketing plans.

Operating Plan

Details of any suppliers or business relationships that are critical to delivering your products/services or otherwise running your business (e.g. strategic partnerships, manufacturing etc.) and any project risks.

Research Plan

Details of your research plan for this Connect award, outlining work packages and deliverables, and relevant milestones, building on your brief plan provided in the Expression of Interest form.

Management Team

Details of the team members and their roles and responsibilities in the project should be explained. Founders, key executives, shareholders etc should be included in the body of the business plan also. A maximum of 7 co-applicants is permitted.

1.1.2 Finance Analysis

Full details of the spending plan for the i4i Connect project (to be included within the “Detailed Budget” section) and details of the company's cash flow forecast and funding strategy.

1.1.3 Video Pitch

The 3 minute video should complement the business plan and be in MP4 format. We do not expect professionally produced videos (you can use your smartphone), however, please ensure the visual and audio are of good quality. Please ensure that your video submission is not longer than 3 minutes, as it will otherwise be truncated at exactly 3 minutes and only the first 3 minutes will be played at the funding decision (Committee) meeting. Please upload the video to the Dropbox folder provided in the application form, ensuring the company name is in the file name.

1.2 Creating and Submitting an Application

Business plans are to be uploaded to the Research Management System (RMS) as part of your Connect Stage 2 application.

The lead applicant must create the application. Co-applicants can be added to the application at any time and will receive an automatic email from the RMS which will prompt them to accept their inclusion. All co-applicants must accept their invitation to participate in the application by the submission deadline for the application to be successfully submitted.

The 3 minute video must be uploaded to Dropbox via the link provided in the application form.

Both the business plan and 3 minute video pitch are to be submitted by no later than 1 May 2024, 1 pm .

Section 2. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

The NIHR expects active involvement of patients and the public in the projects it supports. It is anticipated that i4i Connect projects make reference to PPI. Plans for PPI must be clearly and fully described throughout your business plan. Applicants should identify the relevant patient/user group(s) for their application and engage those groups at an appropriate stage. To make the contents of your application and the implications of your project clear to members of the public reviewers and the funding decision Committee, a plain English summary is required.

There are a number of organisations that may be able to provide useful resources, advice and support on patient and public involvement in research:

The Research Support Service (RSS) provides advice and support to researchers developing research proposals for submission to the NIHR and other national funding organisations for health and social care research.

The NIHR Centre for Engagement and Dissemination (CED) provides advice and a range of resources on patient and public involvement in research.

Learning For Involvement provides a wealth of training programmes and resources for public involvement in research. 

For best practice in PPI please see UK Standards for Public Involvement.

Section 3. Detailed Budget

Prior to completing the project spending plan, it is important that applicants have familiarised themselves with the Attributing costs of health and social care Research and Development (AcoRD) guidance . The AcoRD guidance clarifies the distinction between the three categories of costs associated with non-commercial research studies:

• Research Costs
• NHS Support Costs
• NHS Treatment Costs

It is important to note that the NIHR will only fund activities attributed to Research Costs. Therefore, NHS Support and Treatment costs cannot be claimed in your application for funding.  Further information on NHS Support and Treatment Costs can be found in the Invention for Innovation - Finance Guidance .

The NIHR covers 100% of the costs for SMEs and NHS bodies including other providers of NHS services in the UK. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should determine the Full Economic Cost (FEC) of their research using the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) methodology - up to 80% of FEC will be paid. There are no set rules on the split between collaborators, however, the contracted organisation will receive funding payments and will be required to distribute the funds to co-applicants/contractors, where applicable, as will have to be set out in the collaboration agreement.

Uploading a Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Template (SoECAT) form

Please be aware that if your planned project includes the recruitment of participants, your application should be accompanied with the Funder Export from the online SoECAT, obtainable via the NIHR Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS) . This online version replaces the previous Excel version of the SoECAT, which will no longer be available for applications. In order to create a SoECAT, you will need to create an account in CPMS. After creating the account, you will need to login to CPMS to activate this account. If any assistance is required in creating the account, please refer to our user guide . Once your account has been created and is active, you can proceed. Guidance for the completion of the SoECAT by the applicant is present in the online tool to assist at each page and stage of the application process and further details can be found on the Online SoECAT Guidance page .

There is also an Online SoECAT Guidance Module  which includes video tutorials and linked resources (an NIHR Learn account is required to access and enrol onto the module) and a helpful Study Representative - Online SoECAT Top Tips infographic . Please note that completion of the SoECAT may not be necessary when applying for funding to support:

• overarching programmes with no specific research study protocol;
• infrastructure;
• fellowships;
• anything where the grant is to be used for direct employment of a member of staff or purchase of an asset; and
• data or diagnostic reviews where recruitment data is not collected.

Such applications should be submitted with an explanation for why the SoECAT is not required, and this should be added to the Justification of Costs section. More information on the SoECAT form is available on the NIHR website:

Online SoECAT Guidance

Section 4. Key Dates

The key dates for i4i Connect are shown on the  Invention for Innovation - Competition and webinar dates website .

Appendix: Video Pitch Privacy Statement

The video submissions that you are providing are used to help evaluate your application for an NIHR award. The data is collected in the public interest and may be subject to Freedom of Information requests. You are responsible for informing the members of your research team and anyone included in the video that their information will be submitted to the NIHR for the purposes of evaluating your application.

The videos will be submitted to Dropbox and then downloaded for use at the Committee meeting. Copies of the videos will be held on our secure server. For unsuccessful candidates, the video will be deleted after 1 year, videos for successful candidates will be retained in line with NIHR retention policies for the handling of award data. 

The video submissions should not include any special category of personal data or political opinions or statements.

The NIHR privacy notice includes further information including ways we may use your data, NIHR contact details and details on your individual rights regarding how your data is used. Your data may be shared across the NIHR, including with other NIHR coordinating centres, to allow the establishment of a collaboration or funding opportunities and for statistical analysis.

Trump calls for 100% tariffs on cars made in Mexico as part of US manufacturing plan

Donald Trump has pledged to stop U.S. businesses from shipping jobs overseas and to take other countries’ jobs and factories by relying heavily on sweeping tariffs

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Donald Trump on Tuesday pledged to stop U.S. businesses from shipping jobs overseas and to take other countries’ jobs and factories by relying heavily on sweeping tariffs to boost auto manufacturing — despite warnings that domestic consumers would pay more and a lack of specifics about how his plans would work.

“I want German car companies to become American car companies. I want them to build their plants here," Trump declared during a speech in Savannah, Georgia.

Trump added that, if elected, he’d put a 100% tariff on every car imported from Mexico and that the only way to avoid those charges would be for an automaker to build the cars in the U.S.

His ideas, if enacted, could cause a huge upheaval in the American auto industry. Many automakers now build smaller, lower-priced vehicles in Mexico — facilitated by a trade agreement Trump negotiated while president — or in other countries because their profit margins are slim. The lower labor costs help the companies make money on those vehicles.

German and other foreign automakers already have extensive manufacturing operations in the U.S., and many now build more vehicles here than they send. BMW, for instance, has an 8 million-square-foot campus in South Carolina that employs 11,000 people building more than 1,500 SUVs per day for the U.S. and 120 export markets. Mercedes and Volkswagen also have large factories here.

If German automakers were to increase production here, they likely would have to take it from factories in Germany, which then would run below their capacity and be less efficient, said Sam Abuelsamid, principal research analyst for Guidehouse Insights.

“It makes no sense,” he said.

Trump has sought to press Vice President Kamala Harris on the economy and has proposed using tariffs on imports and other measures to boost American industry — even as economists have cautioned that U.S. consumers would bear the costs of tariffs and other Trump proposals like staging the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.

The former president laid out a broad array of economic proposals during a speech in the key swing state of Georgia, promising to create a special ambassador to help lure foreign manufacturers to the U.S. and further entice them by offering access to federal land.

Additionally, he called for lowering the U.S. corporate tax rate from 21% to 15%, but only for companies that produce in the U.S. Harris, the Democratic nominee, wants to raise the corporate tax rate to 28%. It had been 35% when Trump became president in 2017, and he later signed legislation lowering it.

“We’re putting America first,” Trump said. “This new American industrialism will create millions and millions of jobs.”

And Trump suggested wiping away some environmental regulations to boost energy production, saying America has “got the oil, it’s got the gas. We have everything. The only thing we don’t have is smart people leading our country.”

Tuesday's series of economic proposals raised a lot of questions, but the former president hasn't given specific answers on his ideas, which could substantially affect their impact and how much they cost. He has not specified, for example, whether his U.S.-focused corporate tax cuts would apply to companies that assemble their products domestically out of imports.

Trump also suggested he use a newly created envoy, and his own personal efforts, to recruit foreign companies. But he had a spotty record in the White House of attracting foreign investment. In one infamous case, Trump promised a $10 billion investment by Taiwan-based electronics giant Foxconn in Wisconsin, creating potentially 13,000 new jobs, that the company never delivered .

His calls to offer federal land, meanwhile, might clash with Bureau of Land Management restrictions on foreign entities looking to lease lands. It also wasn't clear whether companies from China would be excluded, given Trump's longtime accusations that China is hurting American business.

The Republican presidential nominee unveiled his plan in Savannah, which has one of the busiest ports in the country for cargo shipped in containers. It was his first visit since his feud with Republican Brian Kemp , came to an end last month with the popular Georgia governor finally endorsing Trump.

But Kemp skipped Trump's rally and instead was campaigning Tuesday in Pennsylvania with Republican Senate candidate David McCormick.

Some Republicans have said they fear Georgia has gotten more politically competitive in the two months since Harris launched her presidential bid after President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection efforts.

Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones assailed Harris for calling Trump a threat to democracy. Jones served as a fake elector and falsely attested that Trump won the 2020 election he actually lost to Biden. A special prosecutor, however, declined to move forward with criminal charges against Jones in the matter.

Heather Mathis, 43, came to Tuesday's event with her 11-year-old daughter and said Kemp had done “a fine job." She said she didn't think any problems between the governor and Trump would harm the former president’s Georgia chances.

“Many people have personality differences. It doesn’t make any of them bad,” Mathis said. “Maybe they just don’t get along, and that’s OK.”

Weissert reported from Washington and Krisher reported from Detroit. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Indiana, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.

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