Scaling the Edge NI
March 2025

Fully funded 8-week programme helping existing SME businesses to accelerate their new product and process innovations through Value Proposition Design, Business Model Canvas Design, Business Ideas Testing, Market Engagement

Supporting innovation driven companies to validate and accelerate their ideas into scalable products and services as well as support to apply for non-dilutive funding through Innovate UK and other funding agencies.

What is SCALING THE EDGE PROGRAMME?

Unlock your business’s potential with Scaling the Edge NI—an intensive programme built to help innovation-driven companies validate, refine, and scale their ideas into market-ready products and services. Perfect for businesses seeking to secure first-time Innovate UK funding or to create strategic partnerships with QUB, this programme gives you the resources, support, and expertise to bring your innovations to market.

Our expert team will collaborate closely with yours, leveraging Strategyzer’s Lean methodology to shape compelling Value Propositions, build successful Business Models, and apply advanced Digital Testing methods. This approach delivers fast, precise market feedback, minimizing the risk of market failure, accelerating time to market, and helping you identify your target markets with confidence.

WHAT’s Included?

 Our unique program accelerates rapid business strategy development and de-risks new product and market exploration through a data-driven digital testing approach.

Over an intensive 8 weeks, Northern Ireland businesses will gain the tools to innovate faster, stay competitive in global markets, and boost productivity. With guidance from a highly experienced team of entrepreneurs and business coaches, you’ll have expert support every step of the way to transform ideas into scalable successes.

We provide £5,000 for market validation activities such as attending trade shows, explainer videos, surveys, landing pages, etc.

WHY ATTEND?

Inject Innovation into your business through: Design thinking, digital testing and data driven decision making as well as be guided through the application process for Innovation UK funding opportunities and establish collaborations with Queen’s University Belfast (KTP, Business Alliance and Consultancy).

WHEN*:

 Bootcamp – 12^th & 13^th March 2025*

Market Validation – 14^th March – 15^th May 2025

*Please Note: To be eligible for the Scaling the Edge Programme you and your team must be available to fully attend the 2-day online Bootcamp training.

WHO:

Eligibility Criteria:

Unlock the potential of your breakthrough product or service with our market validation programme. If your focus is in Sustainability and Net Zero, Digital ICT, Construction, Agri-food and Drink, Life and Health Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering; and Financial Professional and Business Services, we’re here to help you reach new heights. We strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups including, companies with female-led project teams, companies located outside of greater Belfast area.

*Companies must be based in Northern Ireland

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

• Expert training by seasoned entrepreneurs at a 2-day online bootcamp delivered by a renowned team with substantial innovation to commercialisation expertise.
• A fully funded 8-week programme with an allocation of up to 4 ‘Seats’ per team.
• £5,000 funding available for market testing and validation
• 4 step methodology with ongoing tailored support and guidance for market discovery and digital testing:
  • Value Proposition design
  • Business Model Canvas Design
  • Business Ideas Testing
  • Market Engagement
• Upskill and incentivise staff and radically change innovation culture.
• Cutting time to market and improved bottom line through commercially validating new/improved product ideas and markets.
• Identify routes to follow on funding with partners including Innovate UK and potential collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast.