Private Capital in Northern Ireland

The data makes clear that Northern Ireland is an exciting destination for private capital, whose investment supports the development of 186 businesses which call this nation home. These businesses bring value to local communities through the 47,000 jobs they support. 

In 2024 alone, private capital invested £95m in Northern Ireland. This level of investment is unsurprising when you consider the nation is a fast growing advanced manufacturing hub especially with Belfast now acting as an investment hub, and universities like Queen’s and Ulster University producing more innovative business spin-outs. 

However, while there is much to celebrate about the scope and scale of investment in the nations’ businesses, it could be even more substantial and close the gap with other parts of the United Kingdom. Policymakers, regulators, and industry all have a role to play in helping to facilitate greater levels of investment in Northern Ireland, to ensure that opportunities are not lost. 

Together we can address the main barriers by closing the scale up gap, boosting access to skills and talent and improving regional infrastructure. Unless otherwise stated, all data in this report is sourced from the BVCA’s Report on Investment Activity 2024 and Economic contribution of UK private equity and venture capital in 2025, produced by EY.