In summary
A massive shout out to our five fantastic female members who featured in our #IWD2025 campaign – please visit our socials to find out more about them. We are on the lookout for any members who would like to host a networking event at their premises and showcase their business, drop us a line if interested. Also, we look forward to our usual attendance at Balmoral Show, let us know if you are visiting or exhibiting.
Featured news and events
InterTradeIreland’s Seedcorn Opportunity opens for business
This competition is for start-ups and early stage businesses who will have a chance to win a share of a €800,000 cash prize fund
InterTradeIreland’s Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition, for start-ups and early-stage businesses, mirrors the real-life investment process.
Participants, who are in with a chance to win a share of a €800,000 cash prize fund, are able to secure expert feedback on their business plans and pitches, improve their investor readiness and gain exposure to investors, and boost their profile.
Prizes
There are a range of cash prizes:
- €130,000 for the overall winner
- Two €100,000 prizes for Best Business-to-Business, Business-to-Consumer or Deep Tech company winners
- Nine €50,000 regional winners
- €20,000 impact award
Every business idea/plan submitted is reviewed by investment experts and you are given individual feedback. Shortlisted companies also get a unique opportunity to pitch to investors and business leaders.
InterTradeIreland is holding a series of online information events and one in-person event in Northern Ireland which will provide an overview of the competition, details of the key benefits, hints and tips, and ways to improve your application. To check your eligibility and to book an information session, click here.
Northern Ireland networking, by FSB and HSBC
Join us at Ulster University, York St, Belfast, on Monday 28 April at 10am, and make new introductions, connect with new contacts as well as meeting old friends at our networking with HSBC.
In other news
New inclusive employment initiative from BITC
Business in the Community (BITC) has launched the Opening Doors initiative. This initiative identifies five key commitments to unlocking employment opportunities that ensure jobs are accessible to all. Opening Doors aims to change business behaviours and provide a comprehensive support programme for organisations committed to ’opening the doors on all floors’ in companies.
By signing up to the campaign, employers commit to at least one action across five key commitments within the Opening Doors blueprint:
- Create partnerships that connect untapped talent to your jobs
- Show candidates that you are committed to inclusion
- Use comprehensive job adverts with inclusive language
- Focus on the skills needed to do the job versus qualifications
- Prioritise accessibility and eliminate bias
The five commitments have been developed in consultation with a broad range of charities that support the underrepresented groups targeted by the campaign.
Why get involved in Opening Doors?
Businesses will be provided with a programme of support, developed in consultation with a broad range of charities that support the disadvantaged groups targeted, and can avail of BITC-led webinars, connected events, toolkits, and best practice case studies. Find out more here.
FREE Corporate Insolvency Workshop for Small Businesses
Protecting Against Counterparty Insolvency: Understanding the Practical Effects of the UK's Corporate Insolvency Regime on Small Suppliers
A Free workshop organised in collaboration between Carson McDowell LLP and Queen's University Belfast School of Law During the Pandemic, the UK Government introduced several reforms to existing insolvency laws. Some have the potential to become quite onerous for small businesses in particular, yet there is currently very little awareness or practical guidance available for the benefit of small business owners and directors. This engaging workshop event is designed to highlight the potential pitfalls for small businesses where a counterparty enters into an insolvency procedure, and to consider practical guidance that might help to mitigate against risks.
Speakers include: Gary Adair, Head of Corporate Insolvency at Carson McDowell LLP, Dr Michael Vincent, Lecturer in Company Law & Corporate Governance at Queen's University Belfast.
When: Thursday, 3 April 2025, 3 - 5 pm at Queen's University Belfast School
Book here: https://shorturl.at/zYYQV
Still in the news
Free cyber security support for small businesses in high-risk sectors
In March we celebrated #CyberWeekNI and had a fantastic webinar with NI Cyber Security Centre. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) invites small organisations from specific sectors across the UK to join the Funded Cyber Essentials Programme. This initiative offers free cyber security support to small and micro businesses most vulnerable to cyber attacks.
Currently, the programme is open to practicing barristers, advocates, and those employed within chambers or stables that meet these criteria:
- must be a UK micro or small business (1 to 49 employees)
- has not previously participated in the NCSC Funded Cyber Essentials Programme
- does not currently hold Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) certification, has not been awarded CE+ certification since January 2024 and is not currently in the process of applying for CE+ certification
The programme is also open to emerging technology businesses working on:
- artificial intelligence
- quantum technologies
- semiconductors
- engineering/synthetic biology
- advanced materials
- advanced robotics
- fusion energy
- satellite and space technologies
- specialist national security applications
- advanced manufacturing
Eligible businesses must meet the same criteria, including not holding or having applied for CE+ certification since January 2023.
If your business meets the above criteria, you can register your interest in the programme.
Support available
Eligible organisations can receive up to 20 hours of free remote support from a certified Cyber Advisor. This hands-on support will help you implement essential cyber security controls like firewalls, secure settings, access controls, malware and software updates.
Learn more about the NCSC Cyber Essentials Funded Programme
Free Sustainability Reports for SMEs
Support to gauge environmental performance across areas such as raw materials, energy, carbon, packaging, biodiversity and waste.
Invest Northern Ireland is offering free Sustainability Reports for businesses, an holistic assessment and understanding of your environmental performance across areas, such as:
- raw materials
- energy
- carbon
- packaging
- biodiversity
- waste
This support will enable you to measure, monitor and report on your environmental impacts, demonstrating transparency and accountability, which often leads to consumer confidence and brand loyalty.
Is my business eligible?
This support is available to all Northern Ireland businesses with annual energy and resource spend of more than £30,000, which could include the combined value of your heating, electricity, water, waste disposal or raw material billings.
Find out more about how your business can get a free Sustainability Report.
Member News: Legacy Resources Announced as Headline Sponsor for Lion Heart Racing in Support of Cancer Charities
Legacy Resources is proud to be the headline sponsor of Lion Heart Racing, standing alongside the team and Austrian road racing star Julian Trummer in their mission to raise vital funds for pancreatic cancer research. This partnership is deeply personal to Suzanne and Ricky Quirey, founders of Legacy Resources, who recently lost a family member to cancer. Dwayne’s battle with the illness resonates with them, inspiring their commitment to supporting his journey and helping others facing similar challenges.
As a Northern Ireland-based Security and Risk Management company with a global reach, Legacy Resources is built on principles of resilience, dedication, and community support. By backing Lion Heart Racing and Julian Trummer, Suzanne and Ricky hope to raise as much money as possible to fund critical cancer research and support services—ensuring that other families don’t have to endure the same heartbreaking loss.
"We’re honoured to support Dwayne, Julian, and the team at Lion Heart Racing," said Ricky Quirey. "Cancer affects so many lives, and we want to do everything we can to make a difference. Through this sponsorship, we hope to amplify the incredible fundraising efforts and help those in need."
Julian Trummer, the fastest European to lap the TT Course, is ready to push the limits in 2025, proudly representing Lion Heart Racing and Legacy Resources.
Legacy Resources continues to set the standard in the security industry while also prioritising social responsibility and community impact. This sponsorship is not just about racing—it’s about rallying together for a cause that touches countless lives.
More about FSB NI
- Find out more about activities in Northern Ireland
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Northern Ireland is Roisin McAliskey. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email: [email protected]
- follow us on x: @FSBNIRegion and @FSB_NI
- follow us on Facebook: FSB Northern Ireland
- connect with me on LinkedIn: FSB Northern Ireland