AQO 4037/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 24/09/2026
Answered On Date: 13/10/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work of the recipients of funding for the Small Business Research Initiative through the Executive Office Challenge Fund.

Answer:

We have invested over £1.1million through the Challenge Fund to support the development of four innovative solutions aimed at tackling the scourge of violence against women and girls. These include interventions focussing on personal safety, AI supported training, signposting tools and online safety.

Although the Challenge Fund support has now come to an end, the suppliers have continued to progress their solutions. This includes ongoing piloting, academic evaluation, commercial development, investment activity, and engagement with potential interested parties.

This is encouraging and reflects one of the key objectives of the SBRI model, which is to support innovative solutions to progress beyond publicly funded research and development towards wider adoption and long-term impact.

Many of the wider societal benefits will take time to emerge, however it is encouraging that all suppliers continue to build on the foundations established through the Challenge Fund and are actively progressing their solutions towards real-world implementation and adoption.