Our Go For It team in partnership with our Local Council representatives are delighted to reach the milestone of 5500 business plans created and completed through the Go For It programme.
Since its launch, the programme has aimed to help anyone with goals to start their own business. From early stage ideas to new businesses trading for 6 months or less, the programme offers step-by-step advice and mentoring bespoke to each person. The Go For It Programme is available throughout the 11 council areas at 27 various locations.
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 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. 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.”
Over 6000 individuals have completed the program since it began, and now have their own business plans. Over 4080 businesses have launched and more than 80% of those businesses continue to trade after the first 12 months. We are delighted to have worked with individuals in a vast range of business fields, from tourism to finance, health and wellbeing to retail, creative industries to education among many more. On average each business launched creates 1.5 jobs and 65% of those jobs continue to exist after 12 months of businesses trading.
Northern Ireland is one of the fastest-growing regions of the United Kingdom and offers small and medium-sized enterprises excellent opportunities for growth. In the UK in general, 99.9% of it’s 5.7 million businesses are small or medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and account for 60% of all private sector jobs. With such an overwhelming impact on the economy, we are delighted to support many of those in the NI area who are launching their own small businesses.
5500 and counting…!
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 contact the Go For It Programme on 0800 027 0639 or visit: www.goforitni.com.