Go Succeed

Say Hello to Go Succeed  

Go Succeed is the go-to source for expert business advice led by Northern Ireland's eleven local councils. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur just starting out; are looking to grow your business; or are planning to scale up; our team of industry experts will provide tailored support and guidance to help you achieve your business goals.

For more information or to register interest please visit https://go-succeed.com/

	How Go Succeed Can Help You
	Starting your business 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. Our 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.
	Growing your business  Your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress. Our Go Succeed Grow experts have seen it all before in just about every sector, so they'll provide tailored support to help shorten the journey to business growth.
	Scaling your business  Your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. Our Go Succeed Scale industry experts will help tailor your plans to penetrate new markets, identify investment opportunities and scale up your operations.

Business Support Workshop

This event is practical and inspiring, designed for people at different stages of their business journey, whether you are thinking about starting, already trading, or exploring how to grow and scale. We welcome entrepreneurs from all diverse backgrounds, including majority and minorities living in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area.

Launching and Expanding Your Business - 24 March, 10:00 - 12:30, Bangor Parish Church, Bangor

The session brings together real entrepreneurs, business support organisations, and education providers to share honest insights on how businesses actually get started and sustained. With a focus on:

-          Food businesses

-          Marketing & Advertising

-          Photographers

-          Health & Well being

-          Website Designers

-          SaaS Business

-          Al Support Professionals

-          Painters & Artists

-          Accountant

-          Insurance Providers

-          Cleaning Businesses

-          Caterers

-          Furniture & Office

-          Gifts Business

-          Fitness Business

The events explore some of the most popular and accessible pathways into entrepreneurship.

Participants will hear directly from panel guest speakers who have built businesses in these sectors, gain insight into the realities of starting and growing a business, and learn how Go Succeed can support them at different stages of their journey. The session will also highlight how regional colleges can support established business aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs through skills development, training, and practical pathways into business.

Whether you have a business idea, are unsure where to begin, or are looking to take your next step, this event offers practical insight, clear support routes, and meaningful connections.

Who Should Attend

➡️ People with a business idea but unsure where to start

➡️ Aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders

➡️ Existing business owners exploring growth

➡️ Creatives, makers, and service-based businesses

➡️ Anyone interested in starting, growing, or scaling a business

What You’ll Gain

➡️ Real stories and insights from entrepreneurs across key sectors

➡️ A clear understanding of local business support through Go Succeed

➡️ Awareness of business support, skills and training pathways via Regional College

➡️ Understand the business support programmes.  

➡️ Opportunities to network with people at similar stages

Please register to join this event and we look forward welcoming you and exploring how best we can help you and your business progress. This event is delivered by The Business Zone in collaboration with Ards and North Down Borough Council as part of the Go Succeed programme. 

Go Succeed represents a significant investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses, funded by the UK Government.

Please note as this is in-person event, the registration numbers for this are restricted. Whilst Go Succeed operates across NI, this event is being hosted by Ards and North Down Borough Council, therefore should the event reach capacity and a waiting list is created, priority access will be given to Businesses based in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area.

Go Succeed Grants - Call 2 - NOW CLOSED

Apply now for a Go Succeed grant to support your business growth

If you’ve previously received support or are currently going through the Go Succeed service, you may be eligible to apply for a grant of between £1,000 and £3,000 to help take your business to the next level.

Delivered through Ards and North Down Borough Council, Go Succeed grants can fund up to 50% of eligible capital costs.

Examples of what the grant can support include:

• Specialist equipment or machinery to improve efficiency
• Digital tools, such as computers or business software
• Website development or e-commerce functionality
• Be actively trading within your council area.
• Have completed at least 60% of your mentoring support through Go Succeed.
• Have identified a barrier to growth the grant can help address.
• Be an enterprise or social enterprise with fewer than 50 full-time employees.

Important info:

• Applications closed on Wednesday 5th November 2025 at 12 noon.
• Use Call 2 application form ONLY, any previous versions will not be accepted.
• Grants will be awarded through a competitive process.
• You must not start your project until a formal Letter of Offer is received, signed, dated, and returned within 14 days to the council.
• All grants are paid retrospectively, after satisfactory project completion and verification.
• You must declare if you have applied to any other grant funding scheme that is open at the same time as or overlapping with Go Succeed Grants Call 2 , eg Rural Business Grant Scheme.

To find out more please visit, go-succeed.com/grants or contact: gosucceedgrants@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk