Welcome to Business-ready, Business-able Ireland.

The Irish government knows that the right incentives and investments in business create a net positive for everyone involved. Availability of funds can present a significant challenge for start-up companies. Initiatives by Enterprise Ireland, InterTrade Ireland, the County and City Enterprise Boards, the National Digital Research Centre, Revenue and Venture Capital groups ensure that funding is available to promote innovation and economic progression at national and international level. Here is a range of funding options:

Business Angel Finance

Managed by InterTrade Ireland, Business Angels are high net worth individuals who provide their own funds to support growth businesses. Individual investments typically range between €25,000 and €250,000, but this can extend to €1m where there is a consortium of Business Angels involved, in return for an equity stake.

Competitive Start Fund

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, this fund is available to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have capability to succeed in global markets by supporting activities such as evaluating overseas market opportunities, building a prototype, developing market entry plans, securing partnerships or identifying routes to market. The maximum support is €50,000 for a 10% ordinary equity stake.

High Potential Start-Up Feasibility Study Grant

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, this grant is designed to assist a new start-up or individual entrepreneur to investigate a new export oriented business or proposition. Relevant to High Potential Start-Ups only as defined within, the maximum level of grant funding currently available is €15,000 or 50% of eligible expenditures.

Innovation Vouchers

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, Innovation Vouchers are available to assist a company or companies explore a business opportunity or problem using the expertise of available researchers. Individual vouchers are worth €5,000 and up to 10 companies may pool their vouchers to create a larger fund (up to €50,000).

Innovative HPSU Fund

This Enterprise Ireland fund is available to support the start-up and development costs of High Potential Start-Up companies. The fund allows EI to offer equity investment to HPSU clients, on a co-funded basis. Available to EI clients, the amount of funding is determined following an assessment of the business plan and supporting evidence Irish Venture Capital Funds provides capital in an equity form to finance start-ups and to fund the growth and expansion of high growth innovative companies. There are currently 11 VC Funds operating in Ireland, with funding levels generally between €250,000 and €10m depending upon the business.

LaunchPad Accelerator

Managed by the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC), this programme is focused on supporting the next generation of digital entrepreneurs to accelerate good ideas to sound start-ups. Investment of up to €20,000 per project is available in addition to facilities and mentoring.

Mentor Network

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, this initiative provides funding towards the engagement of experienced mentors to support your business. Funding of €175 per day for 10 days is available to SMEs (employing 10 -249 people) and new high potential startup companies who are clients of EI, CEB or Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Priming Grant

Managed by the County & City Enterprise Boards, this grant is available to companies within the first eighteen months of setting up a business. Typical grant rates available are 50% of the investment or up to €80,000, although there are some exceptions to this.

Seed Capital Scheme (SCS)

Managed by Revenue, the Seed Capital Scheme (SCS) provides the opportunity for entrepreneurs to avail of a tax rebate to fund start-up activity, based on the individual’s income tax payments over the previous 6 years. The SCS is available to someone who may be starting their own business or investing by way of shares in another company, subject to rules of the scheme.

Contact us for more information or to arrange a consultation.