Grants for an ecommerce business in Ireland

If your ecommerce business already sells, or wants to sell, outside Ireland, the export schemes are the relevant ones. The first decision is whether you go through a Local Enterprise Office or Enterprise Ireland, because the pages we read treat them as separate routes.

Grants / Grants for an ecommerce business in Ireland

Choosing between LEO and Enterprise Ireland

  • LEO route: for micro and small businesses. TAME, the Grow Digital Voucher and the core grants sit here, and the LEO pages say Enterprise Ireland clients are not eligible.
  • Enterprise Ireland route: its scheme pages give maximum amounts but do not set out eligibility, so the first step is a conversation with them.

Export schemes on the official pages

These are the amounts as stated on each scheme's page. They are maximums, not what you will receive.

SchemeAmountWhat to know for this pageSource
Grow Digital Voucher
Voucher, Local Enterprise Office		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.LEO route only, and for software that is new to the business.LEO: Grow Digital Voucher
Grow Digital self-assessment
Digital for Business
Advice and support, Local Enterprise Office		The page does not state an amount.The entry point to the LEO digital route.LEO: Digital for Business
Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME)
Grant, Local Enterprise Office		50% of eligible costs (net of VAT) up to €2,500 in any calendar year.The closest thing to a website-for-export grant, but limited to manufacturing and internationally traded services.LocalGov.ie: TAME grant
Digital Marketing Capability
Grant, Enterprise Ireland		Maximum award €35,000.Pays for a digital marketing agency. No eligibility rules are listed, so ask Enterprise Ireland.Enterprise Ireland: Digital Marketing Capability
Access Advice: Digital Discovery
Grant, Enterprise Ireland		Up to 80% grant funding to a maximum of €5,000.Small and quick: an expert to plan digital foundations or a first step in AI.Enterprise Ireland: Digital Discovery
Market Research Grant
Grant, Enterprise Ireland		Maximum grant €35,000.For testing a market before you spend on it.Enterprise Ireland: Market Research Grant
New Markets Validation Grant
Grant, Enterprise Ireland		Maximum grant €150,000.The bigger market-entry scheme. The page gives the maximum only.Enterprise Ireland: New Markets Validation Grant
Get Exporting
Programme, Enterprise Ireland		No funding amount stated.Training and advice rather than money, with no fixed start dates.Enterprise Ireland: Get Exporting

Where this helps an online seller

  • TAME lists export-related websites and marketing materials among its uses, which suits a store testing a new country.
  • Market Research and New Markets Validation are for testing a market before you commit to it.
  • Digital Marketing Capability is about improving your online presence with a digital marketing agency, up to €35,000.
  • Get Exporting is a programme of workshops and advice, not a grant. It has no fixed start dates.

What the pages do not say

None of the Enterprise Ireland pages we read mention e-commerce or retail by name, and none state eligibility rules or closing dates. TAME is limited to manufacturing and internationally traded services. If you resell other people's products, ask before you plan around a grant.

Frequently asked questions

Do I apply to Enterprise Ireland or my LEO?

It depends on your size and exports. The LEO pages we read exclude Enterprise Ireland clients, so you cannot normally use both for the same business. Ask your LEO first if you are a micro business.

Is there money for a website to sell abroad?

TAME lists developing export-related websites as an eligible use, covering 50% of eligible costs up to €2,500 in a calendar year, for manufacturing or internationally traded services.

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