Go Succeed Grants – Now Open

Go Succeed Grants Now Open

Applications: 1st September – 13th October 2026
Grant: Up to £4,000
Funding: Up to 50% of eligible capital costs

If you’re receiving support through Go Succeed, you could be eligible for a grant.

This grant can help you acquire specialized equipment to increase productivity, or invest in software to streamline operations.

Discover your eligibility to apply – https://go-succeed.com/grants/

🚀 Ready to take your business to the next level?

Join the Go Succeed team for an in-person Strategic Planning for Business masterclass designed to help you understand where your business is now, define where you want it to go and turn your ambitions into practical action.

During this practical session, you’ll explore:

Your mission, vision and values
Your markets, customers and financial position
Strengths, constraints, opportunities and threats
Short-, medium- and long-term goals
Action planning, KPIs and implementation
Available business support

This free workshop is open to people in the early stages of business who are based in the Mid Ulster District Council area or neighbouring council areas.

Places are limited— so book your place and start building a clearer plan for business growth.

Booking Link: https://gosucceed.glistrr.com/e/948

The Ultimate Pitch 2026

The Ultimate Pitch is back!

Entrepreneurs across Mid Ulster invited to become Northern Ireland’s next business giant

Got a business idea, side hustle or early-stage venture you’d love to grow?

Enter for your chance to access funding, expert support and a platform to showcase your business.

The search for Northern Ireland’s next business giant in the Mid Ulster District Council area is on as Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch returns for its third year running.
The pitching competition gives local entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete for up to £6,000 in investment for their business idea.
Launched by Go Succeed, Northern Ireland’s government-backed business support service, the competition is open to pre-trading and newly established businesses that have been operating for less than two years, across all sectors.

The Mid Ulster District Council area heat will take place in late September with hopefuls presenting their business idea in front of a panel of judges from across the local business and civic community.
The final will take place in November, returning to the literary home of one of Ireland’s most celebrated storytellers, Seamus Heaney. Coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week, the event will see the 11 local heat winners deliver their final pitches to a panel of expert judges.

Last year’s Mid Ulster District Council area winner was Noel Doyle of MathsIMade who secured a spot in the final with their AI-powered platform which personalises mathematics for primary school children through their interests to boost engagement. Noel went on to win the Impact Award for best social enterprise at the final.

Winners of local heats will receive a £1,000 investment with a further £5,000 available for the overall winner of the region-wide final. The overall winner who will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate

Pitch Award will also receive a prize package including a photography session supplied by Brian Thompson Photography, a podcast recording session supplied by Attention X Studio NI, membership of Toastmasters, and a media training session supplied by LK Communications.
Additional prizes will include the Go Succeed Impact Award, the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award, the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16-25 year-old entrepreneur, and the Go Succeed People’s Choice Award for the contestant with the most public votes.

Entrants have until 17th August to apply to the competition.

Applicants will also have the opportunity to attend pitching masterclasses on how to make the ultimate pitch ahead of their local heats.

The Final will take place in Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy on Wednesday 18th November, during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

For more Information & To Apply visit: https://go-succeed.com/theultimatepitch/

Applications close 17^th August 2026

Access to Finance – Clear & Practical Business Funding Advice

Are you thinking about starting, growing or developing your business?

Join our Access to Finance Workshop to learn what funding support may be available locally and across Northern Ireland, as well as:

· How to prepare for finance applications, and what lenders or funders may look for.

· Understand different finance options, including loans, grants and investment support.

· Learn how to strengthen your business case and cash flow planning.

· Find out where to go for further support and guidance, including local programmes and funding updates as they become available.

Who should attend: start-ups, sole traders, small businesses and anyone planning to grow or access funding.

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To book your place now please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/access-to-finance-clear…

“Just The Business Workshop”

In collaboration with DS3 we are hosting an in-person workshop for small businesses.

Digital Marketing Made Simple – for Small Businesses

Date: Friday 21^st August 2026

Workshop Time: 10.00am – 11.30am

Location: Workspace Community Hub, Draperstown

Workshop: Digital Equipment Showcase: 12.00pm – 1.30pm

This practical workshop is designed to help small businesses understand the core digital marketing foundations needed before investing time, effort, or budget into online promotion.

Delivered by Darren McSherry and Kieran Swail, the session will cover:

The role of websites, social media and Google search
How customers find and engage with businesses online
Which digital channels matter most for your business
Basic lead generation and enquiry tracking
How to build stronger digital marketing foundations

Following the workshop, attendees will also have the opportunity to explore multimedia equipment from DS3 Work Package 2 Multi-Media Lab, including 360 cameras, a drone, podcasting kit, laptops and more.

This workshop is open to eligible SMEs, micro businesses and sole traders. Full eligibility criteria and further details are included within the registration form.

DS3 is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Funding Opportunities

Funding opportunities for businesses are available from a number of sources.

Keep up to date with all the local funding opportunities in the Mid Ulster Area: https://www.midulstercouncil.org/business/business-support/funding-opportunities

Cookstown Enterprise and Workspace Enterprise present: “Understanding AI in a Business Context”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday business conversation, yet many owners are still unsure what it actually means in practice

This masterclass provides a clear, practical introduction to AI in a business context. It will explore where AI came from, how it has evolved within the wider digital landscape, the different types of AI that exist today, and how these systems are currently being used across business functions.

The session will examine AI from a strategic perspective before moving into practical examples across marketing, sales, operations, finance and leadership. Participants will also gain an understanding of the current tool landscape, emerging trends, and key considerations around responsible use.

The aim is to provide clarity, confidence and a realistic understanding of how AI fits within modern scaling business, without technical jargon or hype.

Workspace, 80-82 Rainey Street, Magherafelt, BT45 5AJ

Friday 12 June 2026

9.30am – 12.00pm

DON’T MISS OUT – BOOK NOW https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/understanding-ai-in-a-business-context-tickets-1989983042850

The Randox Health Mobile clinic will be at Cookstown Enterprise Centre on the 27^th of May 2026, offering comprehensive health assessments to surrounding businesses and the general public.

This partnership shows the enterprise centre’s commitment to their staff and community by making these health checks more accessible.

For business owners and those dealing with staff wellbeing, these health checks are completely tax-free and carry no benefit-in-kind charge. Making this a tax efficient way to support your people.

You can view what’s on offer here https://randoxhealth.com/en-GB/ – When booking your appointment select “Cookstown Enterprise Centre”

For more information contact Dino.Persello@randox.com

Go Succeed

Go Succeed was established to help entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses to maximise both their potential and contribution to Northern Ireland’s economy. Go Succeed provides would-be and existing businesses with flexible, tailored and easily accessible advice and support at any stage of their growth journey.

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

Support to grow
Your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you’re not sure how to progress. Go Succeed Grow experts have seen it all before in just about every sector, so they’ll provide tailored support to help shorten the journey to business growth.

Support to scale
Your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. Go Succeed Scale industry experts will help tailor your plans to penetrate new markets, identify investment opportunities and scale up your operations.

For more information or to register click on the link https://go-succeed.com/

Mid Ulster Business News and Events

Mid Ulster District Council have a dedicated Business Support Section established on its website providing up-to-date information to the business community.

https://www.midulstercouncil.org/business