Business programmes

We provide a range of programmes to help businesses in Belfast enhance their own competitiveness and growth potential. All our business programmes are listed below. Also take a look at our business events

Currently open for recruitment

Retail Therapy Programme Retail Therapy Programme
Would you like to make your business more competitive? This programme is tailored specifically for the independent retail sector.

HARTE Programme Hospitality and Retail Training for Employment Programme
This programme targets the long-term unemployed by providing job training opportunities in the hospitality and retail industries. Rural Development Rural Development Programme
£8.7 million is available to invest in projects in rural areas in Belfast, Lisburn and Castlereagh.



Current programmes (closed to recruitment)

Belfast Enterprise Academy Belfast Enterprise Academy
This programme supports university students through a tailored mentoring programme to develop business ideas and plan business opportunities.

Stepping Stone to Success Programme Advanced Industry Materials Saving Programme
This programme will help businesses save money by analysing the flow, quality and sustainability of materials incorporated in products and services.

BITES Business Improvement through Environmental Solutions Programme (BITES)
BITES is a business development initiative designed to help businesses reduce waste and energy, boost profits and help the environment.

Stepping Stone to Success Programme Pre-enterprise Social Economy Programme
This programme helps community organisations or individuals who want to find out more about becoming a social enterprise.

Sales Growth Programme Sales Growth Programme
The programme aims to improve the selling skills of business owners and mangers.

South by SouthwestSouth by Southwest
South by Southwest (SXSW) is a set of interactive, film, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring in Austin, Texas.

Market Start Up Programme Market Start Up Programme
Want to start a food or craft business? Then our Market Start Up Programme is for you!

Digital Media Connections Digital Media Connections
This programme helps small creative companies develop new forms of creative intellectual property.

Franchising Initiative Franchising Initiative
This initiative is aimed at helping entrepreneurs and businesses to start or expand their businesses through franchising.

Exploring Exporting Programme Exploring Exporting Programme
This programme aims to help small businesses and social enterprises enter into new markets outside of Northern Ireland for the first time.

Enterprise Skills for Youth Programme Enterprise Skills for Youth Programme
This programme helps young people, aged 18 - 30, find out what it's like to run a business. They also get to meet other young business owners.

Rural Development REEL Business
Gain access to and awareness of opportunities in the film and TV industry.

Strategy in Business Initiative Strategy in Business Initiative
This programme helps small businesses to develop the practical skills necessary to think strategically and develop plans for future growth.

Smarter Procurement Programme Smarter Procurement Programme
This programme helps small businesses identify and take advantage of new sales opportunities in the public and private sectors.

Business of Finance Programme Business of Finance Programme
This programme will help small business and social enterprises enhance their potential to become more competitive.

Construction Supplier Model Construction Sales Growth Programme
This initiative helps small construction and construction-related businesses access and successfully secure sub-contracts from major contractors.



Case studies from past programmes

BITES case studies BITES case studies
Smallworld Music and Anderson Spratt both found ways to reduce waste and energy, while boosting profits.

HARTE Programme case study HARTE Programme case study
Rachel Gordon took part in the Hospitality and Retail Training for Employment (HARTE) programme and was employed by Ramada Encore.

Strategy in Business Initiative case study Strategy in Business Initiative case study
Frank Design found our Strategy in Business Initiative extremely useful as it has contributed to their business growth.

Retail Therapy Programme case studies Retail Therapy Programme case studies
Crumbs!Cakes!, Dawson Wright Hardware, Equinox and Orchid Lingerie have all benefited from our Retail Therapy Programme.

Retail Therapy Programme case studies Sales Growth Programme case studies
Artfrique and Flying Colours Image Consultancy both took part in our Sales Growth Programme.


Business events

We organise and run a series of events to help businesses.