Business Start Up Grants In Ireland

There are many things to consider when starting a new business – but web design should be high on your to do list. With the new age in technology and the growth in business quality it demands, it’s becoming more and more important for businesses to not only have a quality physical presence but also an online one. Nowadays people research next to everything online, meaning businesses all need their own websites or an online presence in order to compete.

Due to this demand for an online presence, there has been an increase in the number of companies setting up their websites. But where does one look to when trying set one up? And how does a start-up find the necessary funds to do so?

You may well be asking yourself what grants available for small businesses (SME) in ireland ?

Well the good news is there are in fact a number of incentives out there for Irish companies looking to set up their own website, including a number of different grants for web design from the Government and Enterprise Ireland.

These grants are available for and can be used for the following:

Ecommerce Web Design
Responsive Web Design
Mobile Web Design
Small Business Web Design – (SME Web Design Grant)
Implementing Online payments or booking system
Purchase of Internet related software
Purchase of online advertising such as Google Adwords (this purchase cannot make up any more than 30% of approved Voucher costs and can only be drawn down in one payment)
Developing an app (or multiplatform webpages)
Digital marketing strategy i.e. Social media marketing, Facebook advertising

Local Enterprise Office

LEO Online Trading Voucher
When looking to set up a website, companies should contact their Local Enterprise Office or LEO. Most Local Enterprise Offices in Ireland have a grant scheme for website development known as an online trading voucher. These vouchers are given to local businesses which meet their standards.

These standards require the businesses to have traded for at least one year and to have the possibility for customers of online trading. If the business does not have an online trading system set up, they can still be eligible if their customers are able to pay for the product/service using their credit card through the site.

The LEO online trade voucher can grant up to €2,500 to these businesses for use on improving their websites. The Irish Government have designated €5 million euro towards this grant scheme, aimed at increasing sales and jobs in the Irish economy.

Other factors needed to qualify for the online trade voucher include having ten or less employees, having a turnover of less than €2 million and the businesses applying for the grant must have be registered and trading for one year. READ MORE HERE

Web Development Grant

The Web Development Grant is a scheme offered by the Local Enterprise Office but solely available in county Meath and West Meath. This grant is viable for already established businesses who have the option of online trading. The grant covers 50% of costs with a maximum amount of €1,500.

Enterprise Ireland Website Grant

Another option for businesses looking to improve their online presence is Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is an agency dedicated to promoting and supporting Irish businesses in both national and international trading services.

Enterprise Ireland have a grant known as the Regional Development Fund which supports major collaborations and initiatives which can support the development of enterprise in their area, across different areas or across Ireland. You can find out more information on the funding provided by Enterprise Ireland by visiting their website.

Department of Social Protection

The Department of Social Protection also have support schemes in place. One of these schemes is the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or BTWEA. To qualify for this scheme you must be self-employed and starting a business which has previously been approved by a Department of Social Protection officer or a Local Development Company.

There is also a grant called the Enterprise Support Grant which you can receive if you have already been accepted into the above scheme. The maximum amount available through this grant is €2,500 over a 2 year period.

There is also a grant available devoted in particular to web design, covering costs of up to €500.

Getting Started

The applicant must first attend an information seminar organised by your Local Enterprise Office.

Leg Up Web Design – a leading Web Design Company based in Dublin can help you with the application process.

You are required to complete an application form which must be accompanied with three quotations for the development of the website from 3 web designers based in Ireland. You must also include the reasons provided to support the chosen web designer, prior to commencement of site development and any payments made.

You can contact us to discuss your web design project and receive professional advice and a free quote on your proposed web design project.