Ignite accelerator teams raise over £1m in funding

The Ignite NI Accelerator supported by Invest NI is an intensive 12 week programme that each year equips NI startups with the skills and capabilities they need to attract investment and grow to the next level. This year saw nine companies going through the accelerator achieve success and raise over £1m in external investment.

The nine teams celebrated the end of the programme at the Ignite NI Accelerator showcase in Ormeau Baths this week, where each company made a 3-minute pitch to the audience to the audience about their businesses. They have previously pitched to around 60 high-level international investors in trade visits to Dublin, London, and San Francisco as part of the Ignite programme.

Several of the companies will also be competing soon for the opportunity to spend three months in San Francisco's startup scene as part of the Ignite NI Landing Pad initiative. Invest NI Director Niall Casey explained: "The Landing Pad will support our Accelerator Teams to reach new levels of success. I am confident with the support and drive of Ignite it will deliver stronger, more capable high potential start-ups, ultimately benefitting the NI economy"
 

Ignite NI Programme Director Chris McClelland said: "This year’s accelerator teams have made exceptional progress and demonstrated their potential, with several of the companies actually managing to close funding rounds during what is an intensive learning process and others currently on the verge of securing investment."

Source: Written based on press release