The Go Succeed Grant is currently inviting proposals, offering financial support that covers up to 50% of eligible capital costs, with a maximum award of £3,000.
This competitive funding is only available for a short window, running from 1st October to 12pm, 5th November. If your enterprise is engaged with the Go Succeed service and ready to take that next strategic step, you’ll want to review the requirements immediately.
Go Succeed Grant Background
The Go Succeed service, launched in November 2023, is Northern Ireland’s dedicated resource for business support. It represents a collaborative effort among the 11 local councils, offering a holistic approach to enterprise and business support services. It’s designed to provide tailored advice that meets the specific needs of entrepreneurs at every stage—whether they are just starting, scaling, or growing.
Since its inception, Go Succeed has directly engaged more than 50,000 individuals and businesses. The grant component has already proven transformative, awarding more than £4 million in Go Succeed grants to date.
These funds enable entrepreneurs to invest in new technology and equipment, which is often the necessary catalyst to drive efficiencies and measurable growth. It’s a vital component in delivering the economic plan for the region, helping new and established businesses thrive and boosting economic growth.
This opportunity is backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The funding commitment for the service was recently extended, securing an additional £9.2 million from the UK government to allow the service to continue for another year. This financial backing was secured through the collaborative effort and support of Northern Ireland’s 11 councils who deliver the service.
Under the SPF arrangement, funding for the service is currently set to end in March 2026. The Spending Review announced that the SPF will be replaced by the Local Growth Fund, but crucial detail on how the new fund will operate hasn’t yet been provided.
Grant Amount
The grant is strictly for capital expenditures and operates on a matching basis. The maximum amount you can receive is £3,000.
Crucially, the grant covers up to 50% of eligible capital costs. This means your business must secure a 50% match fund. For example, if you aim to receive the full £3,000, your total project must cost a minimum of £6,000, with your business committing the remaining £3,000. It’s also worth noting that the grant programme will automatically reject requests that fall outside the specified minimum and maximum limits, so precision here is non-negotiable.
Who Can Apply
The eligibility criteria are specific and designed to support enterprises that are already actively engaged in a growth journey through the Go Succeed service. If you meet these criteria, you should definitely consider applying, but you must confirm every point:
- Service Engagement – You must either be currently receiving or have previously received support through the Go Succeed service.
- Mentoring Completion – This is a major hurdle: you must have completed at least 60% of your mentoring support through Go Succeed before applying.
- Active Trading – You must be actively trading at the time of application within your council area.
- Growth Barrier – You must have identified a specific barrier to growth that the grant funding can realistically help address.
- Size Criteria – You must be (or have the potential to become) an employer enterprise or social economy enterprise with a minimum of one full-time employee (FTE) and a maximum of less than 50 FTEs, including the business owner(s).
Furthermore, if your business has already been awarded a Go Succeed grant in a previous round, you are automatically not eligible to apply for this opportunity.
Context for Social Enterprises
The programme explicitly encourages social enterprises to apply. A social enterprise is an organisation that trades to achieve financial sustainability, but unlike traditional businesses, its primary goal is addressing social, environmental, or community issues. Profits are rapidly ploughed back into the organisation to achieve these social objectives.
Social enterprises are known to be resilient; 70% of them made a profit or broke even in the last financial year, and 22% of them operate in the UK’s most deprived areas. However, they face acute financial challenges. Almost half of social enterprises report that the amount of suitable finance available is insufficient.
Importantly, obtaining grant funding is cited as the most common issue for 48% of those facing financial barriers. For younger social enterprises (less than three years old), 65% cite obtaining grant funding as a specific barrier—almost double the rate for more established organisations. This funding is therefore a critical resource for their survival and expansion.
What Projects They Support
The grant focuses strictly on capital expenditure—long-term assets—linked to boosting productivity, market access, and improved business performance. Examples of eligible capital expenditure include:
- Specialist equipment or machinery to automate production processes and boost efficiency.
- Digital tools such as computers, web development, and e-commerce websites.
- Business software, but only if it’s an outright purchase. Ongoing licence fees are ineligible.
- Mobile machinery, like ride-on lawnmowers, forklifts, and scissor lifts.
Ineligible Expenditure
It’s just as important to know what you can’t claim for. Ineligible costs include general business running costs (staff costs, stock, rent, rates, insurance, and phones), marketing, consultancy, training costs, and motorised vehicles used as transport.
Also, if your business is, for example, a web development company, you cannot apply for a grant to develop your own website, as that constitutes funding your core offering.
Project Requirements
Your proposal needs to be more than a shopping list; it must articulate a clear, compelling case for investment.
First, you need to articulate how your project aligns with the programme’s specific objectives. Since the eligibility requires you to have identified a barrier to growth, your proposal must demonstrate how the capital purchase directly addresses that barrier. You should provide specific, data-driven examples to justify the benefits.
For example, don’t just say you need a new machine; explain how that machine will reduce production time by 20%, thereby addressing a capacity barrier identified during your mentorship. Submitting a clear, well-polished application also reflects professionalism and attention to detail, qualities funders highly value.
Application Process
The process is straightforward but requires adherence to the Go Succeed timeline:
Start your Go Succeed journey – You must register or already be engaged with the service. A team member will be in touch quickly.
Engage with Mentoring – Your mentor helps create a bespoke plan. You must complete at least 60% of this mentoring support.
Seek Guidance – Contact your local council team. They can advise you on eligibility and ensure your proposed project is suitable.
Submit Application – Applications are invited through the open call and must be submitted through the designated portal by the programme’s deadline.
Important Conditions
Trustworthiness is key to securing grants, which means strict adherence to the rules.
Competitive Process – Applications are competitive, and funding is limited. It’s worth noting that simply meeting the eligibility or scoring criteria does not guarantee an award.
No Retrospective Costs – This is crucial. You must not begin your project until you have received and accepted a formal letter of offer. Any costs incurred before this official approval date will be considered retrospective expenditure and will not be funded. In most cases, starting a project early risks the grant being rescinded entirely.
Retrospective Payment – All grants are paid retrospectively. You must finance the project yourself first, and reimbursement follows only after satisfactory completion and verification.
Financial Scrutiny – Reviewers will assess your financial capacity to manage the funding responsibly, looking for sound financial management.
Important Dates
The current funding window is short, so timing is critical.
- Current Application Window: Open from 1st October to 12pm, 5th November.
- Note that a previous application window closed at midday on Friday, 30 May 2025.
- Projects must only begin once the formal letter of offer is received and accepted.
- UKSPF funding for the Go Succeed service is scheduled to end in March 2026.
Application Evaluation
Proposals are assessed via a competitive process. Reviewers score applications based on the distinct requirements and objectives of the funding opportunity.
They are looking for evidence of strategic alignment. Does the project truly deliver on the goal of boosting productivity or improving business performance? They also assess the applicant’s financial capacity to manage the funds. Generally, applicants that present compelling arguments and use clear, active language stand a better chance than those who submit a poorly constructed application, even if the underlying project is sound.
Tips for Competitive Application
Experience tells us that grants are often rejected for five common reasons: ineligibility, weak applications, financial issues, administrative errors, and the competitive environment.
Verify Eligibility Thoroughly
Ineligibility is the single biggest cause of rejection. Many applicants overlook this step, but you must ensure alignment on all fronts, especially the workforce numbers (1–49 FTEs) and the mandatory 60% mentoring completion.
Strengthen Your Narrative
Your proposal needs to clearly articulate why your initiative deserves funding over others. Provide specific, data-driven examples to justify the benefits. For example, explain how the new e-commerce platform will access new markets, not just that you need one.
Ensure Financial Compliance
Only request funding for eligible capital expenses. If you request funding for ineligible costs (like staff time or licence fees), the application may be declined, or the programme may request budget revisions, which aren’t guaranteed.
Avoid Administrative Errors
Submit early! Grant applications must be submitted through the designated portal by the programme’s deadline, and late submissions are simply not accepted. Also, ensure all necessary supporting documents and signatures are included; incomplete applications are often declined outright.
Diversify Your Funding Strategy
Since the funding environment is highly competitive, diversifying your funding approach by applying for multiple grants can significantly increase your likelihood of securing financial support.
Examples of Past Winners
The success stories confirm that these investments are highly targeted and effective, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
Demanu Manufacturing and Design (Ballymena)
Founder JB Dobbin benefited significantly from the Go Succeed mentorship, which helped “round out [his] skills” in areas like finance and marketing. That mentorship pointed him toward the grant, which the company used for equipment to grow the business and increase its manufacturing capacity. It’s easy to overlook how important this kind of advice and investment is when you’re building a company from the ground up.
Driftwood CNC Services (Dunloy, Co. Antrim)
This bespoke joinery company used the Go Succeed grant, alongside others, to purchase upgraded equipment for its main workshop. This investment sped up processing times considerably. Owner Michael Doherty noted that the investment also allowed them to buy portable handheld cutting and finishing devices so they could achieve the same quality of joinery on-site anywhere across the country. By embracing advanced technology, the company is “in the best shape ever to service that market”.
The Apply Link
For more information on the service and support and to begin your application journey, visit the official website: www.go-succeed.com.
Contact
If you have specific queries about your eligibility or project suitability, contact your local council team. They are ready to advise you on starting your Go Succeed journey. For general enquiries, you can also contact the service by calling 0800 027 0639.
Commonly Asked Questions
Q: Is the Go Succeed service free of charge?
A: Yes. The Go Succeed service itself is free, with funding provided from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Q: Do I need prior support from Go Succeed to apply for the grant?
A: Absolutely. You must be currently accessing support and have completed at least 60% of your mentoring before applying.
Q: If I received a grant previously, can I apply again?
A: No. Businesses who have already been awarded a Go Succeed grant are not eligible to reapply.
Q: When is the grant money paid out?
A: All grants are paid retrospectively, following satisfactory project completion and verification.
Q: What if I incur costs before receiving formal approval?
A: You must wait until you have received and accepted a formal letter of offer. Any costs incurred before this date are ineligible, as they constitute retrospective expenditure.
Q: Are ongoing software licence fees eligible?
A: No. Only the outright purchase of computer equipment and software is eligible. Ongoing licence fees are explicitly ineligible.
Have you seen the USDA grant?
Takeaways
The Go Succeed Grant is a strategic investment in the capital growth of Northern Ireland’s small business and social enterprise sectors. Given that almost half of social enterprises report struggling with accessing suitable finance, this competitive grant is crucial for those poised to scale.
Here are two takeaways: First, ensure strict adherence to the 60% mentoring completion rule. Second, never start your project before securing the official letter of offer. By maintaining professional compliance and submitting a proposal that is factual, well-justified, and clearly linked to boosting your productivity, you’ll be in the best position possible to secure this vital funding.
Source Links
- Go Succeed. (n.d.). Grants – Go Succeed. Retrieved from https://go-succeed.com/grants/ Go Succeed
- NiBusinessInfo. (n.d.). Go Succeed Grant Support. Retrieved from https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/go-succeed-grant-support NI Business Info
- Go Succeed. (n.d.). Go Succeed is set to empower thousands more businesses and entrepreneurs with £9.2 million in funding granted. Retrieved from https://go-succeed.com/go-succeed-set-to-empower-thousands-more-businesses-and-entrepreneurs-with-9-2-million-funding-granted/ Go Succeed
- Economy-NI. (2025, July 8). Economy Minister calls for clarification on the future of Go Succeed. Retrieved from https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/news/economy-minister-calls-clarification-future-go-succeed economy-ni.gov.uk
