Local businesses looking to create jobs, develop new products and expand into markets outside Northern Ireland can apply for up to £45,000 through Invest NI’s Ambition to Grow programme.
For ambitious businesses across Omagh and the wider area, accessing finance can make a major difference when it comes to taking the next step in their growth.
Invest Northern Ireland’s Ambition to Grow programme is designed to support eligible Northern Ireland businesses with plans to create employment, develop their products or services and increase sales outside Northern Ireland.
Successful applicants can receive a funding package worth up to £45,000.
Supporting local business growth
For local SMEs, the programme provides an opportunity to invest in areas that can sometimes be difficult to fund while managing the day-to-day costs of running a business.
Funding can be used to support businesses that want to:
- recruit new employees and build their team
- explore and enter new markets outside Northern Ireland
- develop new products, services or business processes
- strengthen the skills of new and existing employees
- build their export capability and long-term growth potential
This could be particularly valuable for businesses in the Omagh area that have developed a successful local customer base and are now considering selling into Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland or wider international markets.
Up to £45,000 available
The Ambition to Grow funding package includes:
- up to £30,000 towards employment costs within the business
- up to £10,000 for market, product or skills development
- £5,000 for completing an Export Health Check, Innovate NI Self-Assessment and two compulsory Ambition to Grow workshops
The support is designed to combine financial assistance with practical business development activity, helping businesses put stronger foundations in place for sustainable growth.
Who can apply?
Ambition to Grow is open to eligible micro, small and medium-sized enterprises based in Northern Ireland.
Businesses will generally need to:
- be based in Northern Ireland
- have a product or service capable of being sold outside Northern Ireland
- demonstrate the potential to create new employment
- show why government support is required to help deliver their growth plans
- have annual turnover of around £2 million or less, or sales outside Northern Ireland of less than £250,000
The programme is primarily aimed at businesses that are not already receiving support from Invest NI.
Businesses should check the full Ambition to Grow eligibility guidance before applying.
An opportunity to plan for the next stage
For smaller businesses, growth does not always require a dramatic expansion. It can begin with recruiting one or two additional employees, developing a new product, improving internal skills or finding the confidence and resources to approach customers in new markets.
Ambition to Grow could provide eligible local businesses with additional support to turn those plans into practical action.
Businesses considering exporting for the first time, increasing sales outside Northern Ireland or investing in new staff and skills may therefore want to explore whether the programme is suitable for them.
How to apply
Businesses should begin by completing the Ambition to Grow eligibility checker on the Invest NI website.
Applicants that successfully complete the eligibility checker will then receive access to the full online application through the Invest NI portal.
The September 2026 application call closes at midday on Thursday 1 October 2026.
Local businesses interested in applying are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and begin preparing their application ahead of the deadline.
