To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what financial support is available from Invest NI to small and medium enterprise start-ups which are not seeking to expand into export markets.

Invest NI’s financial support for start-ups is primarily for businesses which demonstrate potential to grow exports and create jobs. However, locally focussed start-ups can access funding from Invest NI under the following measures:

The NI Small Business Loan Fund is a £5 million revolving loan fund for individuals, private companies and social enterprises in the SME and micro enterprise size range based in Northern Ireland.

Innovation Vouchers are worth up to £5,000 and enable small and medium sized enterprises to engage with one of the 39 universities, colleges and other publicly funded research organisations throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The voucher allows businesses to access specialist skills and expertise to provide an innovative solution to a business issue that cannot be easily solved by the private sector or other support mechanisms.

In addition, the Regional Start Initiative, now delivered on behalf of local Councils by Enterprise NI, provides individuals who wish to start their own business with advice and the capability to produce their own business plan. The intention is that this business plan will provide a template for the new entrepreneur to plan and access sources of funds for the business.

Advice and guidance is also available to all businesses throughout Northern Ireland through nibusinessinfo.co.uk - the official online channel for business advice provided by Invest NI, in partnership with NI Direct. Businesses can avail of a range of advisory assistance on business related topics including sales & marketing, design and finance as well as information on events.