A BELFAST business support programme has helped create over 1,000 jobs and secure more than £20 million in investment in less than four years.
The Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator programme relaunched yesterday at its new home in the bank's main Belfast headquarters, with its impact since inception laid bare.
The Belfast hub, one of 12 Entrepreneur Accelerator hubs in the UK, has supported 400 entrepreneurs, who have gone on to create over 1,000 jobs predominately based in Northern Ireland, while securing more than £20m in investment for local business.
Last year the programme supported more than 110 businesses, secured £3.4m in investment and contributed £2.7m in overall turnover.
Of those entrepreneurs supported in 2018, over half (53 per cent) were female.
Lynsey Cunningham, Ulster Bank’s director of regional entrepreneurship welcomed the growth of female entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland.
“Despite this positive outlook, we know that women are still less likely than men to start their own business so we are working hard to address this imbalance and better understand the challenges and barriers which are preventing some women from embracing their entrepreneurial skillset," she said.
“Our current cohort of entrepreneurs is performing exceptionally well, securing over £750,000 worth of investment in January 2019 alone. This is a clear demonstration of the passion and drive of our entrepreneurs."
Ulster Bank head of Northern Ireland, Richard Donnan added:
“Having the Belfast Hub in house is an significant move for Ulster Bank and we are pleased to be so closely aligned with dynamic work that they do. Teams across all business divisions in Ulster Bank are being energised by the vibrancy of our entrepreneurs who in turn are given even closer access to coaching from our business leaders and connections to our expanding customer network.
“We have invested over £400,000 to create the new space for the Belfast hub as a further demonstration of our long term support for the Accelerator programme which is already showing positive signs of growth in 2019.”
As part of yesterday's launch event, four of the current intake of entrepreneurs took part in a pitching competition. The £1,000 prize was won by Julie Brien of west Belfast medical devices company, Trimedika.
