Founder Labs is a six-month accelerator programme designed to help early-stage, innovation-driven enterprises scale at pace. Funded by Invest Northern Ireland, the programme focuses on ambitious startups with strong growth potential, providing the support needed to move quickly from idea to impact.
What the programme offers
Successful applicants can access £25,000 in grant funding, alongside a comprehensive package of practical support, including:
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Hands-on workshops covering business development and scaling
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One-to-one mentorship from experienced industry experts
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Opportunities to pitch directly to investors
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Shared workspaces designed to encourage collaboration
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International study visits to gain global insight
Participants can also unlock up to £500,000 in technology partner credits, helping reduce early costs and accelerate growth.
Who Founder Labs is for
Founder Labs is aimed at founders with ambitious, tech-focused ideas who are ready to scale. By their third year of trading, participants are expected to be working towards:
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Generating £1 million+ in revenue or funding
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Securing 60% or more of sales outside Northern Ireland
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Attracting external investment
Applicants must be based in Northern Ireland and either already working full-time on their startup, or prepared to commit to doing so upon acceptance.
Find more information about the Founder Labs programme.
Delivery partners
The programme is delivered by Ormeau Labs in partnership with Dogpatch Labs, Queen’s University Belfast and The AMP, with funding support from Invest Northern Ireland and New Deal Entrepreneurship Funding.
Applications
Applications for the current Founder Labs cohort closed on Sunday 15 February 2026 at 11:59pm. Omagh-based founders with scalable, innovation-led ideas are encouraged to keep an eye on future rounds, as programmes like Founder Labs can provide a powerful launchpad for regional startups with global ambition.
