Enterprise Nation

You only need spend two days in Belfast to see there’s plenty of support about for anyone starting and growing a business from home in Northern Ireland. The Go For It programme is promoted far and wide; from TV screens to beer mats, promoting the message that anyone can start a business.

An enterprising welcome

After the lady on the hotel front desk, the next person to welcome me to Belfast was Barry from the economic development department at Belfast City Council. Barry was beaming below a sign saying ‘Enterprising Belfast’ with a heart logo that you couldn’t help but be attracted to. It was a good first impression.

The logos and smiles are backed up, it seems, with solid support.

Go For It

The largest start-up programme is called Go For It and can be seen all around.

It is managed by Enterprise Northern Ireland; a body made up of enterprise agency members who deliver hands-on business support in their local areas. The support  includes events and business mentoring.

• Go For It programme

Enabling technology

In addition to the business support available, home business owners also benefit from super-fast broadband. Just yesterday a headline in the main section of The Belfast Telegraph announced ‘Economy boost as £48m broadband deal is unveiled’ with news that the Department of Enterprise Trade and  Investment has concluded a deal with BT that will see exchanges connected to a next generation network.

The Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster was quoted:

“There are few, if any, parts of the British Isles which will have anywhere near the amount of fibre that is going to be deployed in Northern Ireland, particularly in our rural areas.”

With the support in place and modern networks on the way, it bodes well for a continued increase in the number of people starting and growing a business from home in Northern Ireland. And that’s a mighty fine thing! - Emma Jones