Information session gives Derry companies digital transformation and growth boost

PICTURED ABOVE: Danielle McNally, Business Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council; Andrei Gurca , QUB; and Maria McKeever, Business Officer, at Derry City and Strabane District Council at the Digital Transformation Programme Fund (DTFF) information session at the White Horse Hotel earlier this week.

Scores of local companies attended an information session hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council this week where they were able to find out about a new funding opportunity which offers up to £20k to help them transform their business digitally and promote growth.

The session took place in the White Horse Hotel yesterday (Thursday, 20th June). Delivering the workshop alongside the William J Clinton Institute at Queen’s University Belfast, members of Council’s Business Team offered tailored advice and information about the Digital Transformation Programme Fund (DTFF). Eligible businesses can apply for capital grant funding between £5,000 and £20,000 to support their business’s transformation journey to accelerate digital ambitions.

Those in attendance were able to access advice on the types of technology funded, the application process and the importance of leveraging this unique opportunity to address financial barriers to the adoption of advanced digital technologies.

Delighted to see so many local businesses interested in availing of the DTFF, Danielle McNally, Business Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council said, “We were thrilled to see such an expression of interest from a diverse range of businesses here in the Derry City and Strabane region. This is a unique and innovative funding opportunity for businesses to introduce new technologies that might not have been accessible to them before.”

A number of on-line support sessions are also available which may be of interest to businesses looking to find out more about the DTFF. The ‘Innovation Support and Grant Funding for Digital Transformation’ workshop will take place on Wednesday 26th June from 09:30-11am. An online Masterclass looking at top tips for writing a successful grant application is scheduled for Wednesday, 17th July. ‘Grant Funding for Growth’ will run from 12-1.30pm.

Encouraging any business which feels they could benefit from support to grow their business digitally, Danielle added, “The Business Team would love to hear from anyone who might be eligible for this funding. Anyone who would like some advice or support should get in touch to see how we can assist you in leveraging an opportunity that has the potential to take your business to the next level.”

The Digital Transformation Fund (DTFF) is delivered by all local authorities in Northern Ireland under the Full Fibre Northern Ireland Consortium (FFNI) and supported by Invest NI. The project is part funded by the NI Executive, UK Government, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and all local authorities in Northern Ireland.

Some of the attendees at the Digital Transformation Programme Fund (DTFF) information session at the White Horse Hotel earlier this week

Applications are open until Friday 12th July 2024 at 12pm. For more information or to complete an Expression of Interest form, please visit www.derrystrabane.com/dtff.

Email business.support@derrystrabane for additional support and guidance in relation to the fund from Council’s dedicated Business Support Team.