From Funded to Functional: Building Your PoC with GCD
Thinking of applying for a Techstart Concept Plus Grant for up to £40k funding? You’re at the perfect stage to bring your innovative concept to life.
This grant is designed to support technology and product development, including early stage builds and market validation. And this is where a Proof of Concept (PoC) comes in – a small, powerful build that can demonstrate feasibility, test assumptions and generate market interest.
At GCD, we specialise in helping NI startups build funded PoCs – fast, focused and ready to validate.
What is a Proof of Concept?
A Proof of Concept (PoC) is an early stage, low risk way to test whether your innovative idea can work in the real world. In the context of software and technology, it’s a focused, time limited build that demonstrates the feasibility of your concept – often before you commit to full product development.
At GCD, we think of a PoC as the bridge between an idea and a full solution. It’s the phase where your assumptions are challenged, your riskiest unknowns are explored and your vision begins to take shape in the form of working software – even if it’s just a slice of the bigger picture.
Why is a PoC So Important?
✅ It Validates Feasibility
A PoC proves whether your idea is technically achievable. It tests core features, integrations or technologies (like an AI model, API or custom workflow) before more investment. It’s where questions like “Can we actually build this?” or “Will it work the way we hope?” are answered with evidence, not guesswork.
🔎 It Reduces Risk
Early exploration helps uncover technical or user experience challenges before they become expensive problems. A PoC limits your exposure while giving you maximum insight — especially useful if you’re trying something complex or unproven.
🧭 It Shapes the Path Forward
Through building and testing, you’ll often discover new opportunities, customer needs, or smarter ways to approach the product. A PoC sharpens your vision and often feeds directly into a more confident Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or full roadmap.
💬 It Builds Buy In
Whether you’re pitching to investors or funding bodies like Techstart, a PoC gives you something tangible to show – not just slides or theory. That’s a powerful credibility boost when you’re trying to secure backing.
The Role of a PoC in the Concept Plus Grant
Techstart’s Concept Plus Grant is designed to support precisely this kind of activity – exploring the commercial potential of a product or service idea. If you’re applying, you may need a delivery partner to help you scope and deliver your PoC.
That’s where GCD comes in.
With over two decades of experience helping founders, startups and scale ups turn ideas into validated software solutions, we know how to design and deliver impactful PoCs that unlock investment, follow on funding and product development.
What You’ll Get from a GCD PoC
🔍 A working prototype
📄 Technical assessment & summary report
🧪 AI-enhanced build process
🧭 Recommendations for next steps
📂 Documentation & quotation for your grant submission
Need a quote for your Techstart application?
Chat with one of our PoC specialists here at GCD – Book a free call
