Founder Labs is a six-month accelerator programme designed for ambitious, high-potential technology startups in Northern Ireland. Created by founders for founders, its mission is to empower new ventures to successfully launch, grow, and scale their businesses. The programme is delivered by Ormeau Labs in partnership with key ecosystem players including Dogpatch Labs, Queens University, and The AMP, providing a comprehensive support structure for emerging entrepreneurs.
Program Benefits and Financial Support
• Grant Funding: Participants are eligible to receive £25,000 in grant funding from InvestNI, paid in four tranches upon completion of programme milestones, with no equity or repayment expectations.
• Technology Perks: Access to over £500,000 in credits from technology partners such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Stripe.
• Workspace: Companies receive 12 months of dedicated office space to support their operations.
Core Programme Components
• Workshops: Engage in targeted workshops covering essential business areas including Product, Technology, Sales, Marketing, Legal, and Finance.
• Founder Firesides: Learn directly from the experiences of seasoned founders who share honest stories of their successes and failures.
• Mentorship: Connect with experienced mentors and Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) for practical advice, insights, and tailored feedback.
• Pitch Development: Receive hands-on support to develop and refine your business pitch, culminating in a Demo Day after three months.
• Fundraising Support: Gain direct exposure to active investors through regular Investor Days and dedicated fundraising events.
• International Trips: Travel with the programme team to key global hubs like San Francisco, New York, London, and Dublin to meet with top founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders.
Eligibility and Commitment
• Ideal Candidate: The programme is for founders with an ambitious, transformative, and tech-focused idea. It is open to ventures at the idea stage or those that have already launched and acquired early customers.
• Company Stage: While companies that have raised some investment can apply, the programme is designed for an earlier stage. Teams that have raised over £500,000 in a pre-seed round may not receive the full benefit.
• Business Potential: Applicants should demonstrate the potential to achieve over £1 million in revenue or funding, secure external investment, and make at least 60% of their sales outside Northern Ireland by their third year of trading.
• Programme Commitment: Founder Labs is an intensive, six-month programme. Participants are expected to commit fully and work full-time on their business. At least one team member must be present in-person throughout the programme.
• Company Structure: If selected, participants must have or establish a Northern Ireland limited company and a UK bank account.
• Residency: At least one member of the founding team must have a Northern Ireland residential address for the duration of the programme.
Ineligible Business Models
• Services businesses
• Hardware-first solutions
• Retail businesses
• Food-related businesses
• Lifestyle businesses
Application Details
• Application Deadline: The application period is open until 23:59 on Sunday, 15 February 2026.
• How to Apply: Applications must be submitted through the Founder Labs website.
• Selection Criteria: The competitive selection process prioritizes applications that demonstrate a strong team with complementary skills, initial market validation, and a clear, succinct description of their technology-focused product.
• Pre-Application Support: Prospective applicants are encouraged to connect with the programme team through Office Hours for informal chats, attend in-person Ask Me Anything (AMA) events with team members and alumni, or join a Virtual Q&A session.
Startups ready to elevate their vision can apply to join Founder Labs to access the support, funding, and expertise needed for growth. For additional details, prospective applicants can consult the programme's official FAQs page.