Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Joy Kyalo
Northern Ireland’s science and technology sector has been boosted after the UK government, through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), announced that Belfast, among other cities, will receive a minimum of £30 million. Confirmed by the UK Science Minister Lord Vallance, this opportunity is set to unlock innovation in AI and green energy.
What does this mean for business owners and entrepreneurs who have businesses or want to incorporate a company in Northern Ireland? Existing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tech businesses will have access to localised funding and R&D collaboration. For new companies, there will be easier access to infrastructure, mentorship, and seamless scaling through innovation hubs.
This creates the perfect backdrop for company registration in Northern Ireland for entrepreneurs and innovators. The country has already recorded an increase in UK company formation with global entrepreneurs tapping into its economy.
According to the Northern Ireland inter-departmental business register statistics in 2025, the country recorded a 1.4% increase in local businesses and a 20.2% increase in foreign-owned companies. Northern Ireland’s economic environment is attracting global entrepreneurs.
Key Takeaways
- Northern Ireland’s £30 million innovation boost attracts entrepreneurs in AI, tech, and green energy.
- The region saw a rise in local and foreign businesses, proving its economic appeal.
- Low costs and dual-market access make it ideal for startups and expanding firms.
- With BusinAssist, you can easily register your company in Northern Ireland using a virtual office address.
Sneak peek into industries that are booming in Northern Ireland
According to the Northern Ireland Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR), the industry sectors that have expanded include production, services, construction, and agriculture.
The production sector expanded by 2.5% which corresponds to an addition of 135 businesses, marking the largest rate of growth across sectors. The production sector includes manufacturing, construction, and mining. The volume of construction was the driver of production growth, where it was mostly repair and maintenance rather than new construction projects.
The service industry registered growth of 1.6%. There was a record of an additional 725 businesses; the largest growth, however, was a lower percentage than that of the production sector. The service sector includes accommodation and food services, business services, finance, wholesale, and retail.
Additionally, agriculture saw a growth for the fourth consecutive year, 140 businesses or 0.7%.
Pro Tip: Entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland
Focus on Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing sectors like technology, green energy, and tourism. Starting your business in these industries now can help you secure early growth opportunities and long-term stability.
Other sectors that entrepreneurs can start a business in are the tourism and hospitality sectors. Northern Ireland offers a wide range of tourism attractions and experiences, allowing entrepreneurs to venture into the tourism industry. With key destinations, Belfast, Derry~Londonderry, and the Causeway Coast, tourists can experience historic sites, cultural heritage experiences, Game of Thrones tours, outdoor adventures, and much more.
Apart from tours, you can niche in hospitality and have accommodations or restaurants. As a business owner, you can operate restaurants and guesthouses remotely; however, it requires a strong team on-site and a robust technology infrastructure for easier and effective management of operations.
The technology sector is also experiencing significant growth, particularly in AI and cybersecurity. With technological advancements, businesses need to stay ahead and competitive in the market space, creating the demand for digital marketers, software developers, virtual assistants, online retailers, fintech consultants, and many more.
This sector is expected to grow, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to operate locally or remotely.
Additionally, the green business sector is slowly growing, especially in renewable energy and sustainable transport. Entrepreneurs who want to explore this industry in Northern Ireland have an opportunity to incorporate a company and kickstart their business venture.
Finally, there are also opportunities for health and wellness businesses in Northern Ireland. Entrepreneurs can focus on various areas, including corporate wellness, specialised medical support, or mental health support. There is a growing need for mental health services that can be provided virtually.
Why start a business in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland offers several opportunities for entrepreneurs in various industries, including finance, engineering, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, tourism, agriculture, technology, business services, and many more.
Northern Ireland offers a dual market, which gives businesses an opportunity to expand and create more jobs. This gives businesses a competitive edge since they can freely move goods without tariff barriers or customs declarations.
The country also boasts a skilled workforce, thanks to its globally recognised universities that offer customised training and recruitment programs for investors. This is ideal for business owners looking to operate both physically and remotely, and who require staff from Northern Ireland to help with the growth and expansion of their company.
Additionally, the Northern Ireland government supports businesses through investment, customised training, and recruitment programs, contributing to business growth and access to qualified personnel.
Finally, the country has lower operational costs compared to other regions. Operating in Northern Ireland is significantly cheaper than in other Western European locations, such as London or Dublin. Apart from operational affordable costs, prime office space is also more affordable, making it accessible for those looking to rent office space in the UK region.
Private limited companies are the most registered structures in Northern Ireland. Among all the limited companies registered in the UK, Northern Ireland accounts for 1.3%, according to Hithorizon.com.
Here is a table showing growth across sectors in the year 2024-2025.
| Sectors | Growth (%) |
| Production | 2.5% |
| Services | 1.6% |
| Construction | 0.8% |
| Agriculture | 0.7% |
Companies you can incorporate in Northern Ireland
Private company limited by shares (Ltd): This is the most popular company structure that business owners choose for their start-ups and SMEs. It offers limited liability to business owners and directors. Shareholders are limited to their investment.
Public limited company (PLC): This structure is for large companies that aim to raise capital publicly. The structure requires a minimum of two directors and a minimum of £50,000 share capital.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): Common in professional services – such as legal, accounting, and consultancy firms. It combines aspects of partnerships with limited liability protections. This is popular in professional services (legal, accounting, etc.)
How to start a business in Northern Ireland
Select a business idea
As indicated above, Northern Ireland has opportunities in many different industries that one can be able to think of. When deciding on which idea to go with as a business, some of the considerations to make include skills, interest, resources you have, and the demand that the market has for the product you are offering. Market demand is vital in terms of determining the business idea to pursue, as it enables you to know whether the customers need your products or services and whether they are ready to pay for them. Knowledge of market demand also assists in mitigating the risk of a failed business.
Perform market research and analysis of competitors
After making your decision as far as a business idea is concerned, it is important to research the market and also your competitors. You can achieve this by conducting research on your competitors in the market, their strength, their weaknesses, and market positioning. This will enable you to build a competitive advantage in launching the business, and this decreases any potential risks.
Pro Tip: New Business Owners in Northern Ireland
Before registering your company, always validate your business idea through proper market research and competitor analysis. Use trusted company formation agents like BusinAssist to simplify registration, ensure compliance with Companies House, and get a professional virtual office address for credibility and smoother operations.
Create a business plan
A business plan will serve as a blueprint for a company planning to start a successful business. It provides information regarding how to go about it step by step, its goals, vision, and mission. The strategy ensures a systematic approach to handling the various elements of the firm and responding to future changes.
Choose the place of registration
There are several solutions available in Northern Ireland: Belfast, Lisburn, or Derry.
Choose a legal business structure
The common business structure is a private limited company, which is limited by shares. This company is a separate legal entity, meaning they are not tied to the business owner. The company offers personal liability protection, and directors, shareholders, or business owners are not liable for the company’s debts.
We will focus specifically on incorporating a private limited company in this article.
Choose a company name
A company name is a legal requirement, and it must be unique and compliant with Companies House name regulations.
Choose a registered office address
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can use your home address as a registered office address, and if not, you can use a virtual office address in Northern Ireland.
Appoint a director
If you are the sole owner of the business, you can be the director. However, if you are many, you can choose one to act as the director. At least the company should have one director.
Decide on shareholders
Choose at least one shareholder that can bring value to your company. Their details should contain the stake they have in the company.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
These are company documents used to state the company’s legal structure and operational rules. The company’s relationship with the outside world, objectives, and share capital are all stated in the MOA. The AOA, on the other hand, focuses on the company’s internal management, governance, and member relations.
Register the company
The UK company registration process in Northern Ireland doesn’t take long, depending on the method you choose to incorporate it. Within 24 hours, a company can be up and running if registered through an online service; however, if processed through a paper application, it may take 8 to 10 days.
UK Company formation agents are conversant with the process of company registration. By using their services, the registration process of your Northern Ireland company will be quick and seamless. Knowing the statutory requirements and the intricacy of company incorporation, they can certify that the company registration procedure will be problem-free and expedient.
Register taxes
Once your company is incorporated, you will have to register for taxes, including corporate taxes, VAT, and PAYE.
To conclude, starting a company in Northern Ireland offers entrepreneurs and innovators an opportunity to tap into several advantages, from government support to low operating costs. With the dual market, Northern Ireland is perfect for business owners to expand their business into the UK market.
BusinAssist makes it easier for local and international traders looking to incorporate a company in Northern Ireland. With a virtual business address in Northern Ireland, business owners can register their company in a few simple steps.
Contact us today at info@businassist.com to enjoy the perks that come with incorporating a company in Northern Ireland.
FAQs
Q: Do Northern Ireland businesses need UK VAT registration?
Ans: Post-Brexit, Northern Ireland has a dual VAT system, EU and UK. Meaning, Northern Ireland businesses must register for VAT in the UK once their annual taxable income exceeds the VAT threshold of £90,000.
Q: Is a registered office address necessary for company registration in Northern Ireland?
Ans: The Companies Act 2006 applies to Northern Ireland, meaning that a registered office address is legally required when incorporating a company.
Q: Can non-UK residents register a company in Northern Ireland?
Ans: Yes, you can register a company in Northern Ireland as a non-UK resident. There is no residency requirement to start a company in Northern Ireland as a foreigner.
Q: Do I need a virtual office for company registration in Northern Ireland?
Ans: You do not have to use a virtual office if you have a registered office address in Northern Ireland. If you do not want to use your residential address, or you are a non-UK resident, you can use a UK virtual office, which is legal to be used as a registered office address.
Q: Can I use my home address as my registered office address in Northern Ireland?
Ans: Yes, you can legally use your home address as a registered office address in Northern Ireland. However, this may not be a good reason since the address will be made available on the public register.
Q: Is it easy to dissolve a company in Northern Ireland if I change my mind?
Ans: You can dissolve your company after reaching an agreement with directors and shareholders.
Read Also:
- Best Company Formation Agents in the UK 2025: Choose BusinAssist for a Smooth Start
- How to Incorporate a Company in the UK: Key Steps and Requirements
- How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Limited Company UK?
- How to Form a UK Company as a Non-UK Resident? – A Complete Guide
- 50 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2026: Low Investment and High Potential
- How Many Bank Holidays in 2026? Full List of UK Dates You Should Know
- What is a Tax Office Reference Number and How Can I Find It?
- How to Fill Out a Stock Transfer Form J30: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Understanding Your Rights: What to Do If Your Employer Doesn’t Issue a P45
Joy is a content writer at BusinAssist with 6+ years of experience in content marketing and social media strategy. She specialises in company formation and virtual operations, guiding entrepreneurs through global markets with clarity, drawing on her marketing and PR background. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your business success partner.