MORE than 3,000 buying entrepreneurs are to get help creating their business plans in 2016.
As part of The Regional Start Initiative, the next generation of businessmen and women are being invited to get help turning their business ideas into tangible business plans that could help them to secure funding from potential investors.
In its fourth year, The Regional Start Initiative is now under the remit of the new 11 councils and is delivered by Invest NI, Enterprise Northern Ireland and the Local Enterprise Agency network.
Since the programme started, companies have been launched in almost all sectors, with an upsurge of businesses in the leisure, food and creative industries. Gordon Gough, chief executive of Enterprise Northern Ireland, said: “To date, the Regional Start Initiative has produced circa 3,400 business plans a year across Northern Ireland.
“We are encouraging people with a great business idea to get in touch. We have business advisers, who offer bespoke one to-one mentoring to help bring people’s business ideas to life, with a variety of workshops open to participants. Business plans are an important first step in the start-up process, helping attract potential investors and secure funding. Northern Ireland has a wealth of entrepreneurs with great business ideas. The aim of this initiative is to help those entrepreneurs put together a business plan to help kick-start their own business.
“We have seen many success stories from this programme since its launch. There is a strong demand for these types of programmes to encourage entrepreneurship and we hope this year it will be even more successful.” Aspire Ballet, based in Belfast, was started after owner Aimee Meehan took part in the Regional Start Initiative in late 2015.
Miss Meehan said: “I’ve always wanted to start my own business and the Regional Start Initiative gave me the opportunity to do so. Putting together a business plan can be a costly expenditure, so the help I received was invaluable. My business has just started out, but is already thriving. I’d recommend anyone with an idea for a business to speak to their local council and Enterprise Agency.
”Councillor Deirdre Hargey, chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee for Belfast City Council, added: “This programme has helped open many businesses in the area.
“I would encourage anyone with an idea for a new business to get in touch with their Local Enterprise Agency.”