How can we help?
Starting your own business is exciting time, and we provide supports for aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups. In this section you will find information on a range of supports from researching your idea, expert advice so you can nurture your idea and transform it into reality.
Whether you are an innovative start-up with international ambitions or early stage focusing on the domestic market, here you can find helpful resources to get started. test here teaser
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Starting a business begins with a strong idea but turning it into a reality takes research, planning, and the right support.
Here are some of the most popular supports to help you test and refine your idea, get expert, advice, and build a solid foundation for long-term success.
10 supports based on your selections
Tax credit for expenditure on research and development (R&D) activities
The R&D Tax Credit can help your business pursue research and development projects and contribute to innovation and productivity.
You may be eligible if:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/reliefs-and-exemptions/research-and-development-rd-tax-credit/index.aspx
Upskill your employees to future-proof your business
Further Education and Training (FET) micro-qualifications are short, accredited, and highly subsidised upskilling programmes for enterprises and employees. Typically, the total learning time amounts to 50 hours, consisting of tutor training and self-directed learning. All FET micro-qualifications are delivered locally through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) nationwide and are provided under the Skills to Advance upskilling initiative.
Employers and employees looking to access bite-sized, accredited upskilling programmes in emerging skill areas, such as sustainability/green skills, digital business, market innovation and more.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Turn market data into better business decisions
Enterprise Ireland's Market Research Centre helps businesses to collect data to uncover trends, potential successes, and challenges in a market. Based on this data, businesses can make smarter choices and gain valuable market research skills.
Businesses that are thinking about scaling up and want to carry out research to understand the market opportunities.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Access expert advice on running a tourism business in Ireland
This extensive range of online resources includes self help guides, resources business and finance calculators, templates, advice and access to training. Gain access to insights, trends and the latest tourism research and reports and expert advice all developed in consultation with industry experts to meet your needs.
Businesses that want to develop their business capability, performance and team skills to stay competitive and/or grow.
You might be eligible if you are a business in the Irish hospitality and tourism industry, such as:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Enhance your tourism business's customer service and local knowledge with this FREE Programme.
An in person training course on Inclusive customer service and local tourism product knowledge delivered in person at numerous locations around the country, to support staff involved with tourism visitors.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Tourism & Hospitality Live learning sessions led by experts
A full annualised and dynamic calendar of online workshops courses and webinars help to build your employees’ industry knowledge, skills and capability of teams and help your business stay competitive and resilient. Courses also support businesses to identify and harness business development opportunities.
Businesses looking for opportunities for skill development on various aspects of the Irish tourism and hospitality industry.
You might be eligible if you are a business in the Irish hospitality and tourism industry, such as:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
An e-learning platform for Tourism and Hospitality businesses
A learning portal with over 150 courses and business development, career development and management training from industry experts.
Businesses looking for opportunities to develop the skills of their employees and improve overall efficiency.
You might be eligible if you are a business in the Irish hospitality and tourism industry, such as:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Advice, consultancy and training in a range of technical activities
Teasgasc provides advice, consultancy and training in a broad range of technical activities including product and process development, plant facilities, compliance with legislation and codes of practice, food safety and quality management systems.
You might be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Your single point of contact for all employment and income supports
Intreo is the Irish Public Employment Service offering practical, tailored employment services and supports for employers.
You may be eligible if:
One-on-one clinic appointment with experienced business advisors
A confidential meeting with a Business Advisor is available to those with a business venture. This meeting will provide general advice and details on the various supports available, as well as signposting to other Government supports and possibilities to be involved in the LEO network's flagship events such as the Enterprise Village at the Ploughing Championships or our Enterprise Zone at Showcase.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions
Bringing your business idea to life requires the right financial support. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, funding can help you take the next step.
Here are some supports to help you access grants, manage cash flow, and secure investment for your start up.
4 supports based on your selections
Start-up Loan
If you are setting up a business or are in operation for less than 18 months, our start-up loan is available to help you get your business up and running.
You might be eligible if:
LEADER Programme: Funding Projects for Economic Growth, Rural Infrastructure, and Climate Resilience
LEADER is a community-led approach to local development funded through Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. The 2023-22027 LEADER Programme can fund the following enterprise types; Green Economy, Agricultural Diversification, Rural Tourism & Recreation, Innovative Enterprise Development, Rural Food Production and Social, Community & Cooperative Enterprises. Funding is available for all rural areas. For the purposes of the LEADER programme in Ireland, rural areas are defined as all parts of Ireland with the exception of the areas within the boundaries of the five main cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.
You may be eligible if:
Funding for the Irish Seafood Processing Industry
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 is the primary funding programme for the seafood sector. It is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU
You may be eligible if:
You are an applicant who is both an onshore processing SME and have an SFPA approval number with activity code FFPP (Fresh Fishing Products Plant) or PP (Processing Plant)
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
This additional production loan is for projects that are carrying out production in areas of Ireland outside a radius of 65km from the Dublin GPO.
Productions must have the balance of their finance fully confirmed at the time of application. All applications must involve the meaningful engagement of Irish crew in all grades and include programmes supporting new entrants, upskilling, sustainability and diversity and inclusion in the areas of Ireland outside a radius of 65km from the Dublin GPO
You may be eligible if:
Productions that have not yet commenced principal photography/animation are eligible to apply for this funding.
Taking your business to the next level can be daunting. But with the right support and guidance, you can grow more efficiently and reach new markets.
Here are some of the most popular supports to help you scale your startup, streamline operations, and expand your reach
16 supports based on your selections
Financial support to embrace digital technology
Grow Digital Voucher offers financial support so your business can embrace digital technology
You may be eligible if:
Financial supports to help make workplaces more accessible
Work and Access is a set of supports for employers and employees that aim to remove or reduce barriers in the workplace for people with a disability.
Businesses that are making their workplaces more accessible for people with disabilities.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions
Your export development pathway
Get Exporting is designed to support businesses at every stage of their journey to achieving new export sales. Through our Export Development Pathway, we aim to simplify the export journey and help you build the knowledge, confidence, and strategies needed to succeed in global markets.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions
Offers financial support to forest owners for sustainable forest management
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland runs the Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) to provide financial support to forest owners for sustainable forest management practices. This helps meet the goals of both producing wood products and conserving the environment.
You may be eligible if:
You are an individual applicant or company
You must be the owner, leaseholder or joint manager of the land at the time of the application.
Provides financial support to farmers to encourage production of organic foods
A program that financially supports farmers who are converting to or continuing organic farming practices. The scheme's goals are to encourage organic food production, reduce the environmental impact of farming and improve animal welfare.
You may be eligible if:
Financial support for businesses that employ people with a disability
The Wage Subsidy Scheme gives financial incentives to private sector employers to employ people with a disability. The work offered must be for a minimum of 15 hours per week and the subsidy is available up to 39 hours per week
Businesses with recruitment needs.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Explore your cross-border export potential
Exporting businesses are more innovative, productive and resilient compared to their non-exporting peers and trading cross-border is one of the easiest ways to grow your business. It's on your doorstep, easy to access and we can help you take the first steps on your export journey.
Whether your business is getting ready to export or growing exports, let us help you on your journey with the Trade Export Pathway. We offer free, specialist support to grow your cross-border exports. It’s a quick and simple application process and your business will benefit from bespoke support tailored to your specific needs.
To be eligible for support under the Trade Export Pathway, businesses must:
Sole Traders and partnerships that satisfy the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.
Offer voluntary work experience placements to jobseekers
The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a voluntary work experience programme for jobseekers who are currently getting a qualifying social welfare payment and have been unemployed for six months or more.
Businesses offering voluntary work experience placements.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Carry out market research and develop a plan to enter new markets
Enterprise Ireland's Market Discovery Fund is an export development grant that supports businesses who are looking to explore new market opportunities.
Businesses who are planning to enter into new international markets, or looking to introduce new products or services within existing markets.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Funding for Irish Aquaculture Industry
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 is the primary funding programme for the seafood sector. It is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU.
You may be eligible if:
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
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