For an established small business, the grants split into growth (jobs and capital), digital, export and innovation. Which one fits depends on your sector first, because the LEO core grants exclude retail.
Grants / Grants and funding for small businesses in Ireland
| Scheme | Amount | What to know for this page | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Expansion Grant | 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. | For growth after the first 18 months. Needs a new job and paying customers. | LEO Dublin City: Business Expansion Grant LocalGov.ie: Business Expansion Grant |
| Grow Digital Voucher | 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. | Software and training: 50% up to €5,000. | LEO: Grow Digital Voucher Grow Digital self-assessment |
| Digital for Business | The page does not state an amount. | Required first step for Grow Digital. | LEO: Digital for Business |
| Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) | 50% of eligible costs (net of VAT) up to €2,500 in any calendar year. | Export websites and marketing, up to €2,500 a year. | LocalGov.ie: TAME grant |
| Innovation Voucher | €5,000 voucher. | €5,000 to work with a knowledge provider. | LocalGov.ie: LEO Innovation Voucher |
| Microfinance Ireland loan | 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. | The loan option: €2,000 to €25,000. | LocalGov.ie: Microfinance Ireland loan |
| Digital Marketing Capability | Maximum award €35,000. | Up to €35,000 for a digital marketing agency. | Enterprise Ireland: Digital Marketing Capability |
| Access Advice: Digital Discovery | Up to 80% grant funding to a maximum of €5,000. | 80% up to €5,000 for expert digital advice. | Enterprise Ireland: Digital Discovery |
| Market Research Grant | Maximum grant €35,000. | Up to €35,000 for market research. | Enterprise Ireland: Market Research Grant |
| New Markets Validation Grant | Maximum grant €150,000. | Up to €150,000 for market entry. | Enterprise Ireland: New Markets Validation Grant |
| Get Exporting | No funding amount stated. | Export skills programme, no money attached. | Enterprise Ireland: Get Exporting |
Everything above except Microfinance Ireland is a grant or voucher you do not repay, but most of them pay a share of your own spending, so you need the money first. Microfinance Ireland is a loan, with an interest rate and a term.
The LEO Other Capital Options page also names Revenue incentives, Business Angels and the Credit Guarantee Scheme. We have not reviewed those, so we do not state any terms for them here.
The Priming Grant is for the first 18 months of a business. The Business Expansion Grant is for the growth phase after that. Both have the same cap on the Dublin City LEO pages.
Microfinance Ireland lends €2,000 to €25,000 to businesses with fewer than 10 employees and turnover up to €2m.