Apply for the OPTIMAL programme

23 August 2019

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Tailored and specialist business support for micro and small enterprises

The OPTIMAL (Outstanding Performance Through Individual Mentoring And Leadership) Programme from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is open for applications.

The programme provides tailored and specialist business support to micro and small enterprises to support the development of a more prosperous economy within the council area.

The OPTIMAL programme aims to:

• support the creation of new sustainable jobs in the council area
• refer businesses to Invest NI that are capable of accessing financial support from Invest NI
• strengthen the local business base by assisting businesses to become more competitive in indigenous and export markets
• promote business growth and innovation
• provide accessible, need driven business support that is tailored to business requirements
• engage with key business support stakeholders to develop a portfolio approach to business support in the council area, ensuring that there is no duplication of effort

Mentors are available to help your business. They are selected based on the business needs to enable them to share appropriate advice, skills and knowledge from a range of specialisms including:

• strategic planning
• financial management, including accessing funding
• marketing and sales
• HR
• IP and legal issues
• research and development
• business efficiency
• ecommerce and SEO

Businesses can avail of either one and a half days, three days or five days of free mentoring support.

Who can apply?

The programme is open to small to medium-sized businesses with a registered business address in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area.

How to apply

Apply for the OPTIMAL programme by completing an online form.