Programmes
Success Starts Here
Take the
Next Step
We offer business support and programmes to create opportunities which will enhance your skills, career prospects and business success.
Exploring Enterprise Programme
This is a free programmes provides an insight into starting a business as well as improving your employment prospects. The programme offers one to one mentoring, training and helps you work towards a qualification in Understanding Business Enterprise.
This is an Enterprise Northern Ireland initiative which is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020, the Department for the Economy, Local Enterprise Agencies and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Email: anne.taylor@ledcom.org for further information or to register.
Go For It Programme
The Go For It Programme is a free business where participants will be guided through the process of business planning and financial projections to ensure the viabilitly of their business idea. Participants will also from business mentoring sessions and business skills workshops.
Go For It is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fun under the Investment for Growth and Jobs in Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.
Email: catherine.henderson@ledcom.org for more information.
ENI Start Up Loans
The NI Small Business Loan Fund provides access to finance for small businesses, sole traders and partnerships which are keen to develop their business, but find it difficult to access funding through traditional sources.
Since its launch in 2013, the fund has provided over £6m in loans to over 270 businesses Northern Ireland.
Start-up businesses trading less than two years can access up to £15,000 whereas companies trading longer than this can apply for a loan of up to £100,000.
Funding can be provided for a wide range of purposes including the following,
• Working capital,
• Plant and machinery,
• Commercial property,
• Start-Up and fit out costs
• Growth plans,
• Stock purchases
Email: david.gillespie@ledcom.org to find out more.
,Innovation and Incubation Support
We support innovation and incubation at LEDCOM and we aim to focus on supporting knowledge based and export orientated start-ups. We can support eligible projects with bespoke facilities, attractive rental periods, onsite business support training, networking and sourcing finance.
Email: info@ledcom.org
Co-Innovate
The Co-Innovate Programme helps you to unlock the benefits of innovation, identify opportunities for growth in your business and create a vision to make it happen. The programme offers support, workshops, business audits and one to one mentoring.
This programme has been supported by the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUBP). It is managed by Enterprise Northern Ireland and delivered by LEDCOM.
Email: david.gillespie@ledcom.org
Business Start Up Coaching Programme
The Business Start Up Coaching Programme provides additional coaching/mentoring support to those participants who have completed their business plan under the Go For It programme.
If you would like to increase your confidence to progress with your business and feel that an additional five hours of coaching could help, speak to your Go For It advisor. If eligible, you will be assigned a dedicated mentor to support you over those crucial initial months of starting up. In addition, upon completion of the programme and with evidence of business registration, you may be eligible for a bursary of £200 towards start up costs.
Email: david.gillespie@ledcom.org
Business Escalator Programme
A bespoke one to one mentoring service to support the growth of your business through the following areas:
• Strategic Business Growth
• General Business Planning
• Leadership and Management
• HR and Staff Development
• Financial Management
• Innovation
• Marketing
• Sales
• Export
• Customer Experience Management
• ICT and Ecommerce
To access support, your business must be trading more than six months and employ less than 50 people.
Email: david.gillespie@ledcom.org
Fresh Frontiers (Complete)
Fresh Frontiers Youth Exchange Programme is a cross community youth development project for 16-24 year olds from the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area. Participants will benefit from personal development workshops, one to one mentoring, involvement in a community project, voluntary work placement and a cross border visit.
This programme is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). For more info visit www.seupb.eu
Email: anne.taylor@ledcom.org
Women Interacting Sharing and Engaging (WISE) (Complete)
The WISE Programme is a cross-community women’s development project for women aged 18 onwards from the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council area. The project promotes the role of women in civic leadership. It also enhances the capacity of women to form positive and effective relationships with others of a different background and make a positive contribution to building a cohesive society.
The programme is delivered by LEDCOM and involves women from across Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Council Capacity Building & Engagement Programme (ANCCBEP) (Complete)
The ANCCBEP programme works individually with five groups from each of the 7 District Electoral Areas (DEA) and will also enable partnership working between groups within each DEA. It offers a baseline assessment, up to 4 days free mentoring and advice on funding, practical community development and sustainability.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Funding of support for this project has been secured under the PEACE IV Local Action Plan by the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council through the Special European Union Programme Body (SEUPB). ANCCBEP is delivered by LEDCOM.
“I really cannot say enough wonderful things about all at LEDCOM. They help make a difference to others and the community.”
“I believe the programme was fantastic, it helped me come out of my shell, and gain confidence. With a giant boost to my CV !! With such amazing memories gained, that I will always cherish.”
“Really enjoyed the programme and meeting new people was a great experience, thank you!”