The Belfast HUB-IN Challenge Fund is supporting Belfast’s digital and creative companies to develop and trial innovative digital products and experiences to help animate and enrich Belfast’s Maritime Mile.
Developed as part of Belfast City Council’s Belfast HUB-IN (Hub of Innovation) project, in partnership with the Maritime Belfast Trust, the Challenge Fund aims to explore how digital innovation can help to sustain, enhance, and preserve the unique heritage along Belfast’s Maritime Mile which connects key attractions, sculptures and viewing points on both sides of the River Lagan.
£120,000 of funding has been awarded to six proposals from Belfast’s creative and digital businesses, artists and innovators to develop innovative visitor experiences to:
- enrich and animate the Maritime Mile for both locals and visitors,
- increase footfall, dwell time and local spend,
- connect surrounding communities, workers, students, and visitors with the Maritime Mile, and
- align with the ambitions outlined in the Belfast HUB-IN Roadmap.
They will collaborate with heritage organisations and communities along the Maritime Mile in early 2024 to develop prototypes which use technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.
Available funding
The Belfast HUB-IN Challenge Fund is now closed.
Six applicants successfully applied for a grant of up to £20,000 each.
Map of Maritime Mile
View the Maritime Mile interactive map or downloadable map.
Find out more
If you have a query about the Challenge Fund, please email Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office: innovationfunding@belfastcity.gov.uk
Find out more about the Belfast HUB-IN project at www.maritimebelfast.com/hub-in
The Belfast HUB-IN project is part of a €7.9 million European initiative that aims to transform historic urban areas through innovation and spread public benefits from urban regeneration. It’s funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovative programme under grand agreement No. 869429.