Go Succeed powers up more than 1,000 businesses across Mid & East Antrim

Around 2,500 new businesses creating over 3,500 jobs have taken off in Northern Ireland over the last two years thanks to the region’s free business support service Go Succeed. The figures were revealed at an engagement event held at Parliament Buildings addressed by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald pictured, centre, with Chris Moore, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and Marie Ward, Newry, Mourne, and Down District Council

More than 1,000 businesses in the Mid & East Antrim borough have been supported to start, grow and scale through the free enterprise programme Go Succeed, new figures have confirmed.

The service — funded by the UK Government and all 11 local councils — revealed the milestone during a special event at Parliament Buildings to mark Global Entrepreneurship Week.

According to the latest data, 1,069 businesses in Mid & East Antrim have received direct support from Go Succeed over the past two years, underscoring a strong appetite for entrepreneurship within the borough.

Across Northern Ireland, Go Succeed has played a central role in driving economic development, contributing to the creation of around 2,500 new businesses and more than 3,500 new jobs since its regional launch in November 2023.

£401k in Grants to Local Firms

Businesses in Mid & East Antrim have also benefitted from 127 Go Succeed grants worth more than £401,720, enabling companies to invest in new technology, upgrade equipment, and enhance their capacity for growth.

The service delivers a wide package of free support, including mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks and business planning. Within the borough alone, 937 entrepreneurs have taken part in Go Succeed masterclasses, while businesses have received almost 6,732 hours of one-to-one mentoring.

Minister: “An incredibly significant impact”

Speaking at the Global Entrepreneurship Week event at Stormont, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald highlighted the essential role of Go Succeed in fostering economic resilience and innovation.

Dr Archibald said:

“Go Succeed has had an incredibly significant impact across the north.

“The service has provided entrepreneurs and small businesses with tailored support and expert guidance, helping thousands of people to turn ideas into viable enterprises.

“Given the importance of Go Succeed it is critical that the British Government continues to fund the service through its Local Growth Fund.”

Go Succeed was developed to integrate council-led business support across Northern Ireland, ensuring entrepreneurs receive tailored advice that meets their specific needs. Councils hold statutory responsibility for business start-ups and continue to play a leadership role in shaping and delivering the programme.

Earlier this year, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund confirmed renewed funding for Go Succeed until March 2026.

“An incredible collaborative effort”

Marie Ward, Chief Executive of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council — speaking on behalf of Go Succeed — praised the collaborative approach behind the initiative.

She said:

“Go Succeed has brought together all council authorities, alongside our delivery partners and the wider business and entrepreneurial ecosystem in an incredible collaborative effort to drive business growth in this region.

“Supporting the goals of Northern Ireland Executive and the Department for the Economy, Go Succeed brings together the expertise and local knowledge needed to drive innovation, job creation and improve regional balance.

“The success of Go Succeed is evident in both numbers and stories - a growing network of entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale-ups who are strengthening Northern Ireland’s economy from the ground up, the ongoing critical need for this type of support service.”

Support at Every Stage of the Journey

Go Succeed provides free, easy-to-access support for entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses, including:

• Masterclasses

• One-to-one mentoring

• Peer networks

• Access to grant funding

• Business planning at all stages

Participants can also access a dedicated Members Area featuring templates, tutorials and a new Business Benchmarking tool that helps companies assess their performance against similar businesses.

More information is available at Go Succeed’s official website: www.go-succeed.com.