Northern Light Incubator

Northern Light Incubator Programme

In partnership with Studio Ulster, CoSTAR Screen Lab and Ulster Screen Academy, Northern Light provides a structured six-month pathway for ambitious screen businesses to build the strategic foundations for long-term commercial growth driven by advanced media production.

The programme will provide companies with:

• targeted hands-on creative and technical support
• access to industry leading facilities, and 
• expert business development mentorship to explore advanced production in IP development, to validate new workflows and explore new market opportunities. 

The programme runs annually for two years, supporting six businesses per cohort through a two-stage model: a diagnostic and orientation stage open to up to 14 shortlisted applicants, followed by a six-month intensive incubation programme for the six selected companies.

Businesses will have access to:

• dedicated desk space for six months within a professional working VP studio and environment.
• access to VP studio facilities and resources for IP development, testing and validation 
• structured mentorship programme with leading industry experts in business, creative and technical fields.
• Industry masterclasses

For screen businesses, Northern Light is an opportunity to derisk advances into new creative and technical areas and test new ideas when making the leap into new production workflows and pipelines.  

Northern Light is delivered by Ulster University at Studio Ulster and CoSTAR Screen Lab.

For more information and guidance on applying visit: Northern Light Incubator - About Northern Light | Belfast City Council

For an application form, email [email protected].

Closing date for applicants is Friday 11 December 2026 at 4pm.

Funded through the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) in partnership with the Department for the Economy and Invest NI