Prime Highlights-
- Women-led startups receive £350,000 funding to support early-stage innovation and growth
- Programme combines funding and mentoring to help founders scale their businesses
Key Facts-
- Techstart Ventures is delivering the funding under Invest Northern Ireland’s Access to Finance programme
- The selected startups operate across sectors such as fintech, healthcare, fashion, and property technology
Background-
Ten women-led startups in Northern Ireland have secured a combined £350,000 fund to support early-stage innovation and business growth. The funding aims to help founders test new ideas, explore commercial viability, and prepare for future expansion.
The investment is being delivered by Techstart Ventures as part of Invest Northern Ireland’s Access to Finance programme. In addition to financial backing, the selected businesses will receive mentoring and guidance from Women in Business NI.
Among the recipients is AllPetz, a fintech platform designed to help pet owners manage veterinary costs and better understand insurance options. Founded by veterinary surgeon Carolyn Perkins, the platform focuses on improving transparency in pricing for both customers and clinics. She noted that the programme would help strengthen the company’s growth plans and build on earlier support received through a regional startup initiative.
The selected companies represent a diverse mix of sectors, including financial services, healthcare, fashion, and property technology. Businesses receiving support include AllPetz and several others based in Belfast, Holywood, Derry~Londonderry, Newtownards and Craigavon, reflecting a broad regional spread.
A senior official from Invest Northern Ireland stated that the programme plays an important role in helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into sustainable businesses. She added that the partnership aims to reduce barriers faced by women founders and support them at a critical stage of development.
The official also highlighted the strong pipeline of ideas emerging from women entrepreneurs and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting business growth across the region.
The initiative underlines continued efforts to strengthen the startup ecosystem and encourage more women-led enterprises.
