Frequently asked questions

The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland (IFNI) will deliver a £70m commitment of new funding through investment strategies that best meet the needs of the businesses in Northern Ireland. IFNI is designed to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across Northern Ireland. IFNI will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses in Northern Ireland, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

IFNI does not invest directly in businesses. It invests through product funds which are managed by IFNI’s appointed fund managers. The Fund will offer two commercial finance options with Debt Finance from £25k to £2m and Equity Finance up to £5 million.

IFNI will offer two commercial finance options with Debt Finance from £25k to £2m and Equity Finance up to £5 million.

Enquiries and applications are made direct to IFNI’s selected fund managers, full details of which can be viewed here. IFNI cannot provide financial or business advice to businesses seeking funding and businesses may wish to engage their own accountant or business adviser if application assistance is required.

IFNI covers the whole of Northern Ireland, including rural, coastal and urban areas. Investments can be made in businesses that are headquartered in Northern Ireland or have a significant operating presence there.

IFNI has been designed to help address market failures by increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for UK smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment. The product funds that IFNI supports provide commercially focussed funding to businesses across Northern Ireland. IFNI’s product funds can invest alone or alongside other funders, and indeed IFNI fund managers are encouraged to leverage-in additional private capital.

IFNI’s product funds can invest alone or alongside other sources of debt or equity capital where appropriate.

IFNI will have an inclusive approach, but some eligibility criteria do apply to IFNI funding and fund managers will be able to advise on suitability.