If you are considering starting a business, you can get free start-up support from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Go Succeed Start

If you have a great idea but you're not sure how to turn it into a business, or you have already started out in business and require mentorship on your next steps, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Go Succeed Start experts will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running.

This support is available to anyone interested in starting a business. Complete a short enquiry form or call 0800 027 0639 to register for free advice and guidance from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Start-up and early stage business support programmes

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council runs or part-funds business support programmes to help you start a business. Current programmes include:

Designerie Uncovered 

Tailored support and mentoring for designers / makers - find out more.

Seed Fund Programme

People who are unemployed or economically inactive to start a new business can apply for a business start-up seed fund bursary of up to £1,000, business advice, training and mentoring - find out more about the Seed Fund Programme.

My New Business

My New Business is a free online service that covers everything you need to start, plan and run a business. It has checklists, videos, tools, tutorials and case studies to help you get your business started - find out more about My New Business.

Get a business licence

You may need a licence to operate certain types of business in Causeway Coast and Glens. Find more information on how to apply for business licences on the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council website.

There are several organisations in Causeway Coast and Glens which offer support to help you grow your business.

Growth and support schemes for established businesses

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council runs support programmes for business growth and development. Current programmes include:

Derry Strabane Tourism Development Programme

Collaboration opportunities and business development support pogramme open to tourism businesses with growth ambitions, actively trading and based in Derry City and Strabane District Council area or Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council areas - find out more.

Go Succeed - Grow and Scale

Support is available if your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress. Or if your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. Business advisors will provide tailored support to help your business achieve its ambitions - find out more about Go Succeed support for existing businesses.

LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme 2023-24

Grants up to a maximum of £500 for local community and voluntary organisations - find out more about the LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme.

Social Enterprise Thematic Programme

Support for social enterprises to elevate their skills through one-on-one mentoring and online workshops, focusing on fundraising, digital marketing, and social impact planning - find out more about the Social Enterprise Thematic Programme.

Town Centre Experience Fund

Grants, up to a maximum of £2,000, to support local organisations to create a new experience for their town centre - find out more about the Town Centre Experience Fund.

Local enterprise agencies

Enterprise Northern Ireland agencies provide business improvement programmes, financing, events, workspace and meeting space. There are two local enterprise agencies in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council:

• Enterprise Causeway
• Roe Valley Enterprises

Tender for council contracts

You can seek tender opportunities as a way to grow your business in Causeway Coast and Glens. The council offers public tenders throughout the year in a wide range of business areas.

Find out more on tendering for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council contracts.

Invest Northern Ireland support for business

Invest NI can help your business compete successfully and function more efficiently by providing support across a variety of areas.

Find out more about Invest NI support for business.

Business events

Many organisations run business focused events in Causeway Coast and Glens, across a range of topics to help you develop your business.

You can find business event listings on the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council website.

You can search for business events in Causeway Coast and Glens and across Northern Ireland using our Events Finder.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is an excellent location for doing business.

Local infrastructure

Causeway Coast and Glens businesses benefit from direct access to markets across the world.

There is direct road and rail links to Belfast and Derry~Londonderry.

Belfast International Airport and City of Derry Airport are both within an hour's travel time from the council area. There is also fast and reliable access to major ports at Belfast, Larne and Londonderry.

The council area has close road access into the European Union - find out more about cross-border trade support with InterTradeIreland.

Local workforce and business supply chains

There are around 141,746 residents in Causeway Coast and Glens.

There are 6,280 businesses operating in Causeway Coast and Glens, which is 8% of all businesses in Northern Ireland. The majority of the base is micro and small businesses:

• 91% micro (0-9 employees)
• 7% small (10-49 employees)
• 1% medium (50-249 employees)
• 0.2% large (250+ employees)

Some major business investors in the council area include Main Surface Finishing, Armstrong Medical, Woodland Kitchens and Dowds Group. Service businesses make up the largest sector in Causeway Coast and Glens:

• 31% agriculture
• 17% construction
• 6% manufacturing
• 46% services

You can download an Invest NI council briefing on Causeway Coast and Glens (PDF, 3.37MB).