About Innovate+
Innovate+ is a cross-border initiative helping small and medium-sized businesses across Northern Ireland and the border counties become more competitive, sustainable, and future-ready.
What is Innovate+
Innovate+ is a new cross-border initiative funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It is supported by the European Union, the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government. The project’s focus is to help small and medium-sized businesses across Northern Ireland and the border counties strengthen their competitiveness, improve sustainability and plan for the future.
Innovate+ is open to small and medium-sized businesses in any sector, based in Northern Ireland or the border counties of Ireland (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth).
It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting to explore digital tools or already developing new products, services or processes, the programme offers practical support to help you take the next step.
It’s free to join and open to SMEs at any stage of their innovation journey.
Who can take part?
All support through Innovate+ is fully funded and shaped around the day-to-day needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Whether you’re looking to improve how things run, explore new ideas, or bring in outside expertise, the programme offers practical tools and advice to help you move forward.
The programme starts in January 2026, and we’re now welcoming expressions of interest from SMEs who’d like early access to events, workshops, and other upcoming opportunities.
Why get involved?
What your business gets with Innovate+
Whatever stage you’re at, Innovate+ offers support that fits your business.
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A practical look at how your business is currently doing when it comes to innovation – what’s working well, what could be improved, and where new opportunities might lie.
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A tailored plan that sets out clear steps to help your business develop new ideas, make improvements, and move forward with confidence.
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Get access to expert-led training from Atlantic Technological University, William Clinton Leadership School at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, designed to suit your business challenges and ambitions.
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Work with skilled students who can bring fresh thinking, up-to-date knowledge, and extra support to your business.
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Be part of a cross-border network of like-minded SMEs, sharing ideas, challenges, and opportunities to grow through innovation.
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Tailored support to help your business adopt the right digital tools – from improving day-to-day operations to exploring AI, data, and new ways of working.
Upcoming Courses
The QUB Leading Change and Transition Series
This series offers organisations the chance to build capability through practical, high-quality learning in leadership, innovation, digital transformation and sustainability. With flexibility at its core, businesses can choose to take part in the full three-programme series or select the individual course that best meets the needs of their business and people at any point during the four-year Innovate+ initiative.
INTERESTED?
Register your interest and we will keep you updated as the programme progress.
Delivery Partners
