The Go For It Programme should be the first stop on your journey to research, launch, and build your own business in Northern Ireland. The Programme helps provide an opportunity to be an entrepreneur to everyone who is motivated and wants to take control of their own progressional future. We will connect you with the right business professional to guide you through the fundamental steps essential to the launch of your business.

A business idea is just a starting point. The Go For It Programme will help you to focus your transferable skills and produce a researched and strategic Business Plan to help you to turn your idea a reality.

The Programme is open to all individuals 16 years or older.

If you are aged between 16 and 18, you are eligible to participate but will require parental/guardian approval. If you are aged 16-18 and still in full-time education you will be ineligible to participate but we can signpost you to other organisations who can provide support (such as Young Enterprise and the Prince’s Trust).

If you are over 18 years old but in full-time education you can participate in the Go for it Programme.

The Programme is open to new businesses trading for 6 months or less.

Go For It is not open to those living or trading outside of Northern Ireland.

You can look forward to

• Up to 6 hours of tailored mentoring support delivered by your business advisor through a series of 1:1 meetings (please note current COVID restrictions), group workshops and phone calls which will assess and develop your business concepts and develop a researched business plan.
• Comprehensive finance and business planning workshops.
• Bespoke mentoring, support, and experienced guidance in all business areas including sales and marketing, securing funding and the practical launch of your business.
• Best practice business tools, videos, and more to help you get started.
• Access to the Go For It community of entrepreneurs, peers, and experts.

The programme itself is delivered free of charge. It does not provide a grant.

Once clients are connected with their local business advisor they will advise of any funding options available in the local area. Enterprise agencies can sometimes offer start up loans at attractive rates to suitable clients. Once participants have completed the Go For It programme and have a business plan,  we will connect you with your local council’s Economic Development Department who will be a further source of opportunities, training, mentoring, and funding.

Having a great business idea is just the start and figuring out what to do next can feel overwhelming. Let us help, it’s what we do best.

Start with these easy steps and we will guide you with all you need to know about setting up on your own.

1. Contact us
2. Get connected to an experienced business advisor
3. Work with your advisor to build your business plan
4. Grow your network and your confidence
5. Get ready to launch!

Business experience is not always a prerequisite for business success. Many successful entrepreneurs have started in completely different industries, come from mixed educational backgrounds, and do not follow a traditional ‘business’ path. None of these things have prevented them from business success. Being a vision-led individual with relentless drive is something they all have in common and in many cases their success is connected to action and resilience rather than business experience.

There is no magic formula for entrepreneurial success but from our experience it takes a combination of a things

You + Product / Service + Solutions + Effort and Dedication + Market Conditions + Creativity and Flexibility + Sector Trends + Your Team

Taking an idea and converting it into a successful business takes time and commitment. The best way to start is to contact us. We will match you with an experienced business advisor who can talk you through the steps necessary to make your business a reality. You will work with them to create a researched and strategic business plan, to map out your financial and product objectives and to practically realise your idea. The Programme will help to build your confidence, your knowledge and to optimise your network for launch.

A business plan is a written document that describes your business. It covers objectives, strategies, sales, marketing and financial forecasts.

A business plan helps you to:

• Clarify and focus your business idea.
• Spot potential problems.
• Complete your research.
• Set out your goals.
• Understand finance forecasting.
• Measure your progress.
• Access finance to start and grow your business.

Please note the GFI programme provides entrepreneurs with mentoring and a business plan, it does not provide grants however business advisors may be able to make you aware of financial supports in your area.