Turning Innovation into Investment

How Pinnacle Growth Group Helped a Startup Win – and Prepare to Deliver – BIG Funding 

The Business Innovation Grant (BIG) from Invest NI is a valuable opportunity for Northern Ireland-based businesses to access between £5,000 and £25,000 in support to test, develop or trial innovative products, processes or services. But for many businesses, especially startups and SMEs, navigating the application process and aligning their project with funder expectations can be complex. 

At Pinnacle Growth Group, we help clients in two key ways: 

1. We help businesses secure the BIG grant – providing end-to-end support for planning, preparing and submitting a strong, fundable application. 
2. We deliver the services that BIG funding can pay for – acting as subcontractors or strategic delivery partners to help execute the funded innovation project. 

We recently supported a client through both of these scenarios, helping them unlock funding and position for scalable growth. 

 

Client Case Study: Supporting a Pre-Revenue Digital Platform Startup 

One of our clients was an early-stage technology company with a bold idea: a subscription-based digital platform aimed at transforming a traditional service sector through real-time scheduling, operational automation, and white-label scalability. 

While their technical vision was strong, they faced several challenges common to innovation-driven startups: 

• Demonstrating that their idea met the criteria for innovation, and wasn’t simply a digitised version of an existing model 

• Evidencing economic value for Northern Ireland, including inclusive growth and partnerships 

• Justifying public investment through risk assessment and clear additionality 

• Developing a compliant and persuasive grant application under tight deadlines 

Our Role 

Pinnacle Growth Group provided a blend of strategic insight, technical grant writing, and investment-readiness support, including: 

• Innovation framing to align the platform with Innovate NI’s definition of innovation 

• Narrative development that emphasised the novelty, scalability and regional impact of the project 

• Risk and additionality support to justify the public funding and outline key delivery risks 

• Cost structuring to ensure compliance with Invest NI’s eligibility criteria 

The Outcome 

• The client’s application was awarded in full by Invest NI. Although delivery is still in the early stages, the impact has been significant: 

• It has enabled deeper strategic discussions with Invest NI around long-term innovation support 

• It has increased the client’s credibility with potential investors and partners 

• It has positioned the business to move from concept validation to commercial planning with confidence 

 

How Pinnacle Growth Group Can Help You 

We offer targeted services for businesses at any stage of the BIG funding journey: 

1. Helping You Secure the Grant 

We’ll work with you to: 

• Assess your eligibility 

• Develop a fundable innovation story 

• Write and structure your BIG application 

• Identify risks and financial justification 

• Create a compliant, funder-ready budget 

 

2. Delivering BIG-Funded Projects 

We also provide expert services that align with BIG eligibility, including: 

• Innovation strategy and project scoping 

• Market research and feasibility studies 

• Technology development and process redesign 

• Subcontracting support as a delivery partner 

 

Whether you are just starting out or have already secured BIG funding and need expert delivery support, we can help. 

 

Talk to Us 

If you want to discuss how Pinnacle Growth Group can support your business to: 

1. Apply for the Business Innovation Grant 
2. Deliver a project already funded through BIG 

 please contact us at team@pinnaclegrowth.group. 

 

We’re ready to help you turn innovation into investment.