Helps a business research demand for a product or service and test whether it can last, including consultancy, expert advice, design, patents and prototypes.
Amount: Up to 50% of the investment or €15,000, whichever is less (Dublin City LEO). LocalGov.ie says 60% or €15,000 in the border, midlands and west region.
Who it is for
- The enterprise should be exploring a manufacturing or internationally traded service business
- No more than 10 employees
- You must meet a business advisor before applying
Source: LEO Dublin City: Feasibility Grant, LocalGov.ie: Feasibility grant (LocalGov.ie page last updated 18 March 2024)
A start-up grant for businesses in their first 18 months. It can help with salary costs, capital items, consultancy, innovation and marketing.
Amount: Dublin City LEO: up to 50% of the investment or €50,000, whichever is less. LocalGov.ie (page last updated June 2024) gives €80,000 instead. The two official pages disagree, so confirm the current cap with your LEO.
Who it is for
- Business is 0 to 18 months into start-up
- Must be creating at least one new full-time paid job and have paying customers
- No more than 10 employees
Source: LEO Dublin City: Priming Grant, LocalGov.ie: Priming Grant (LocalGov.ie page last updated 24 June 2024)
A growth-stage grant for businesses past their first 18 months, with the same cost headings as the Priming Grant.
Amount: Dublin City LEO: up to 50% of the investment or €50,000, whichever is less. LocalGov.ie (page last updated June 2024) gives €80,000. Confirm the current cap with your LEO.
Who it is for
- Business has passed its first 18 months
- Must be creating at least one new full-time paid job and have paying customers
- No more than 10 employees
Source: LEO Dublin City: Business Expansion Grant, LocalGov.ie: Business Expansion Grant (LocalGov.ie page last updated 24 June 2024)
Funds new business software and the training and set-up that goes with it. The LEO page lists e-commerce software and online booking or payments among eligible software.
Amount: 50% of eligible costs, from a minimum of €500 up to €5,000 per application. A business can be approved for a maximum of two projects, up to €5,000 in total.
Who it is for
- 1 to 50 paid employees
- Established and trading for at least 6 months
- Completed a Digital for Business project in the previous two years
- Not a client of Enterprise Ireland or IDA
- Current Revenue tax clearance
Not covered
- Custom or bespoke software
- Bespoke website development
- Systems for regulatory compliance
- Any cost incurred before the application is submitted
Source: LEO: Grow Digital Voucher, Grow Digital self-assessment
An LEO support that reviews a business's digital systems, looks for gaps and guides new or improved digital tools. It leads into the Grow Digital Voucher.
Amount: The page does not state an amount.
Who it is for
- 1 to 50 paid employees
- Established and trading for at least 6 months
- Not a client of Enterprise Ireland or IDA
- Current Revenue tax clearance
Source: LEO: Digital for Business
Helps small businesses explore new export markets, including marketing materials and export-related websites.
Amount: 50% of eligible costs (net of VAT) up to €2,500 in any calendar year.
Who it is for
- No more than 10 employees
- Must be engaged in manufacturing or internationally traded services
- Must not have received other funding for the same proposal
Source: LocalGov.ie: TAME grant (LocalGov.ie page last updated 18 March 2024)
A voucher to work with a registered knowledge provider on a business problem or opportunity, such as a new product, process or business model.
Amount: €5,000 voucher.
Who it is for
- Small and medium-sized limited companies registered in Ireland
Source: LocalGov.ie: LEO Innovation Voucher (LocalGov.ie page last updated 18 March 2024)
A loan, not a grant, from a not-for-profit lender for small businesses that may find it hard to borrow elsewhere.
Amount: Loans from €2,000 to €25,000 over 1 to 5 years. A reduced rate of 5.5% APR applies if applied for through an LEO.
Who it is for
- Sole trader, partnership or limited company based in Ireland
- Fewer than 10 employees
- Annual turnover up to €2m
Source: LocalGov.ie: Microfinance Ireland loan (LocalGov.ie page last updated 18 March 2024)
Shop Front Enhancement Grant
Grant Local authority
Local authorities may part-fund improvements to the appearance of a shop front, such as painting or new signs. It is for physical premises, and each council decides whether to run it.
Amount: Typically covers 50% of the cost up to a maximum set by the council. No maximum is stated on the page.
Who it is for
- Local businesses with a shop front on a public street
- Grant must be approved before works start
Source: LocalGov.ie: Shop Front Enhancement Grant (LocalGov.ie page last updated 18 March 2024)
Digital Marketing Capability
Grant Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland support to improve a company's online presence by engaging a digital marketing agency.
Amount: Maximum award €35,000.
Who it is for
- The page lists SME and large company audiences but gives no eligibility criteria, sector rules or application route. Check with Enterprise Ireland.
Source: Enterprise Ireland: Digital Marketing Capability
Access Advice: Digital Discovery
Grant Enterprise Ireland
Funding to hire an expert to put in place digital foundations or take a first step in artificial intelligence.
Amount: Up to 80% grant funding to a maximum of €5,000.
Who it is for
- The page lists SME and start-up audiences but gives no eligibility criteria. Check with Enterprise Ireland.
Source: Enterprise Ireland: Digital Discovery
Digital Process Innovation
Grant Enterprise Ireland
Funding towards an internal team and outside expertise to bring in new production or delivery methods using digital technology. It is about operations, not online selling.
Amount: Up to 50% grant funding on the scheme page. The listing page says up to €150,000. The two pages differ, so check with Enterprise Ireland.
Who it is for
- The page lists start-up, SME and large company audiences but gives no eligibility criteria.
Source: Enterprise Ireland: Digital Process Innovation
Market Research Grant
Grant Enterprise Ireland
Funding to carry out market research for a new or existing market.
Amount: Maximum grant €35,000.
Who it is for
- The page lists start-up, SME and large company audiences but gives no eligibility criteria.
Source: Enterprise Ireland: Market Research Grant
New Markets Validation Grant
Grant Enterprise Ireland
Funding to develop market entry strategies and validate a chosen market.
Amount: Maximum grant €150,000.
Who it is for
- The page lists start-up, SME and large company audiences but gives no eligibility criteria.
Source: Enterprise Ireland: New Markets Validation Grant
A skills programme (workshops, on-demand content and one-to-one support), not a grant. No funding amount is stated.
Amount: No funding amount stated.
Who it is for
- The page lists start-up and SME audiences but gives no eligibility criteria.
Source: Enterprise Ireland: Get Exporting
A 10-week hybrid accelerator for women founders aiming for pre-seed to seed investment. It is a programme, and no funding amount is stated.
Amount: No funding amount stated.
Who it is for
- Suited to high-potential women founders seeking pre-seed to seed investment
Source: Enterprise Ireland: NextWave
Enterprise Ireland's national entrepreneur development programme with a support package. It is not a cash grant.
Amount: A support package valued at over €40,000 without giving away equity (a package value, not a grant amount).
Who it is for
- The page gives no eligibility criteria. Check with Enterprise Ireland.
Source: Enterprise Ireland: New Frontiers
Not that we found. Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland and your local authority each publish their own pages, and LocalGov.ie says its own list is not exhaustive.
Not necessarily. We read the Dublin City LEO pages and the national LEO portal. Each LEO sets its own area rules and budget, so ask your own LEO.