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100% FREE
BUSINESS TOOl

Newry, Mourne & Down District Council actively supports entrepreneurs through mentoring, grants, and loans. Whether you're launching or scaling up, this guide provides current funding options and expert resources to help you succeed in 2025.
Purpose: Mentoring and support for early-stage business ideas
Delivered by: NM&D Council with Invest NI and ERDF funding
Contact: Free mentoring via enterprise agencies
Link: Go For It NI or call 0800 027 0639 (Department for the Economy, newrymournedown.org)
Purpose: Advice and assistance for social enterprise development
Delivered by: Social Enterprise NM&D in partnership with the council
Link: See the council’s Grants & Funding portal (Supporting Communities)
Themes: Community Engagement, Sports Facilities, Tourism, Good Relations, EVAWG, Irish Language, etc.
Amounts: Typically £500–£25,000 depending on theme
Next Round (Call 2): Opened 31 March 2025, closed 23 May 2025 (Supporting Communities, newrymournedown.org)
Platform: Apply via Smart Simple EGMS: Grant Portal (newrymournedown.org)
Purpose: Small capital grants for rural micro-businesses
Amounts: £500–£4,999 covering up to 50% of eligible costs (daera-ni.gov.uk)
Eligibility: Rural NI, <10 staff, trading businesses only
Link: DAERA Rural Business Grant guidance (daera-ni.gov.uk)
Purpose: Free training and mentoring in digital, leadership, and civic engagement
Delivered by: SERC in partnership with NM&D Council
Start Date: September 2025 – register interest online (SERC)
Amount: £500–£25,000
Interest: Fixed 6%
Includes: Free mentoring for 12 months
Eligibility: UK residents, age 18+, business <3 years old
Link: GOV.UK Start‑Up Loan
NM&D Council Business Support & Grants Portal
Central hub for all local funding info and applications (newrymournedown.org, newrymournedown.org)
Invest Northern Ireland
Regional body offering grants, loans, and advisory services
Enterprise Agencies & NI-wide Programmes
Go For It mentoring is delivered locally through agencies across NI
Identify need (e.g. mentoring, equipment, community themes)
Check eligibility for a specific grant/loan
Prepare documents: business plan, finances, diagnostics, quotes, ID
Attend workshops (if required) – e.g. funding portal training, diagnostics
Apply via the portal or GOV.UK, depending on the scheme
Await decision – timing varies; rounds close at set dates (e.g. May 2025)
Use networking tools like [GMAX Card – business networking]
Subscribe to workshop alerts via Supporting Communities NI (Supporting Communities, newrymournedown.org, Supporting Communities, newrymournedown.org, Supporting Communities)
Investigate regional programmes like Belfast City Deal for tourism/capital projects (Belfast Region City Deal)
Combine funding options – e.g. rural grant plus Start‑Up Loan
NM&D Council Grants & Funding Unit
Phone: 0330 137 4040 | Email: grantsandfunding@nmandd.org (Down Business Centre, Supporting Communities)
Portal: https://newrymournedowndc.smartsimpleuk.com (newrymournedown.org)
Go For It Programme – 0800 027 0639 / goforitni.com (newrymournedown.org)
DAERA Rural Grant Scheme – via DAERA website (daera-ni.gov.uk)
PEACEPLUS Training – register via SERC through the council’s portal (SERC)
Start‑Up Loans – https://www.gov.uk/apply-start-up-loan
🔹 What is the Go For It Programme?
Free mentoring for early business ideas, delivered via enterprise agencies and funded by the council/Invest NI. (newrymournedown.org)
🔹 Who can apply for social enterprise support?
Individuals or groups developing social enterprise in NM&D; details via the Grants portal.
🔹 What themes are included in financial assistance grants?
Themes include sports, tourism, community facilities, Irish language, good relations, and more. (m.facebook.com, newrymournedown.org, Supporting Communities)
🔹 When is the next funding round?
Call 2 ran from 31 March until 23 May 2025; future rounds are announced via the council. (Supporting Communities, Supporting Communities)
🔹 What is the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme?
A DAERA-provided grant offering up to £4,999 for capital investment in rural micro-businesses. (daera-ni.gov.uk)
🔹 Can I get business loans?
Yes—Start‑Up Loans of £500–£25,000 are available UK-wide with mentoring included.
🔹 Is training available?
Yes—PEACEPLUS-funded digital and leadership programmes begin in Sept 2025 with SERC. (SERC)
🔹 Are there application workshops?
Yes—portal training and funding clinics are held online/in person; check Supporting Communities and council pages. (Supporting Communities)
🔹 Where can I apply and get help?
Applications via Smart Simple EGMS, plus phone/email support at 0330 137 4040 or grantsandfunding@nmandd.org. (Supporting Communities)
Value Ad helps new businesses save 50% to 80% on essential services like marketing and
development. These savings act as an alternative investment, fueling growth.
Service providers gain valuable initial customers, helping them grow and attract investment.
It's a win-win for everyone!
This App/website is not affiliated with any government agency. We collect and organize information from publicly available government websites and provide direct links to these official sources.
For accurate details and to apply for grants or loans, please visit the relevant government websites linked within the App/website.
What is Value Ad?
Value Ad is an innovative policy designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between two key groups: new businesses and service providers. This policy helps startups save significantly on essential services while enabling service providers to gain valuable traction and growth opportunities.
How is it a Win-Win Deal?
For New Businesses:
Cost Savings: Startups can save 50% to 80% on essential services such as website development and marketing. This means they don’t need to invest heavily upfront, making it easier to launch and grow their business.
Alternative Investment: The money saved through these discounts can be reinvested into other critical areas of the business, acting as an alternative investment that fuels further growth and development.
For Service Providers:
Initial Customer Base: Service providers, often tech startups themselves, can attract a significant number of initial customers by offering their services at a discounted rate. This helps them build traction and demonstrate value, which is crucial for attracting venture capital (VC) funding and other opportunities.
Marketing Efficiency: By providing affordable services, service providers do not need to spend heavily on marketing to acquire new customers. The discounted services themselves become a powerful marketing tool, bringing in customers who can spread the word and enhance the provider’s reputation.
Growth and Expansion: Attracting more customers through Value Ad helps service providers expand their client base and build long-term relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and business growth.
Alternative Investment for New Businesses:
For new businesses, the significant cost savings achieved through the Value Ad policy effectively serve as an alternative investment. Instead of spending large amounts on website development and marketing, they can leverage the affordable services provided by service providers. The saved funds can be redirected into other strategic areas of the business, enhancing overall growth and sustainability.
Benefits for Service Providers:
Service providers benefit from the Value Ad policy by gaining access to a ready pool of new customers who are drawn by the discounted rates. This initial customer base is crucial for:
Building Traction: Demonstrating product or service viability to potential investors.
Securing Funding: Enhanced customer traction and a growing user base can make the service provider more attractive to venture capitalists and other funding sources.
Market Penetration: Establishing a presence in the market quickly and efficiently without heavy marketing expenditures.
In Summary:
Value Ad is a strategic policy designed to create a win-win scenario for both new businesses and service providers. By offering significant discounts on essential services, startups can save and reinvest those savings, while service providers gain crucial initial customers and market traction. This mutually beneficial arrangement supports the growth and success of both groups, making Value Ad a powerful tool for business development and investment.
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