Ireland
There are a number of different agencies which support SMEs in Ireland. Each agency has a different role and focuses on businesses of different size, potential or area of focus. Although the business support system is largely funded and organized through central government there are a series of local offices which provide the support to local businesses.
Ireland
There are a number of different agencies which support SMEs in Ireland. Each agency has a different role and focuses on businesses of different size, potential or area of focus. Although the business support system is largely funded and organized through central government there are a series of local offices which provide the support to local businesses.
Ireland
| Project | Support | Description | RE Specific? | Area Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro Enterprise Loan Fund | Loans | Microfinance Ireland is a Government initiative providing loans from €2k to €25k to commercially viable start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises that have been declined credit by the banks. Link http://www.microfinanceireland.ie/ Agency Responsible: Micro Finance Ireland Funding: Micro Finance Ireland | No | National |
| Credit Guarantee Scheme | Guarantee | This Government scheme enables the State, in certain circumstances, to act as a guarantor to the bank for your loan application. The purpose of the scheme is to guarantee commercially viable SMEs that have been declined credit due to inadequate collateral and/or lack of understanding of the business model. Link https://www.djei.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/Access-to-Finance/SME-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme/ Agency Responsible: Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Funding: Each Scheme lender has the option to set their own higher minimum amounts or lower maximum amounts within these limits. For more information see https://www.djei.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/Access-to-Finance/SME-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme/ | No | National |
| Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Investment and Working Capital Loans | Loans | The following product features are available through the partner On-Lenders with SBCI’s support, subject to the financial institutions’ own credit policies and procedures. With SBCI providing low cost funding to eligible SMEs, these products will deliver the following benefits: • Lower interest rates • Available for both investment and working capital purposes • Minimum loan maturity of 2 years • Loan amounts up to €5m In addition, subject to the financial institutions’ credit policies and procedures, the following features may also be available to qualifying SMEs: • Repayment schedule flexibility • Loan maturity of up to 10 years • Facility maturity tailored to correspond with investment life cycle Link http://sbci.gov.ie/products/sbci-investment-working-capital-loan Agency Responsible: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding: Loan amounts up to €5m | No | National |
| Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Refinance of Exiting Banks | Loans | This product aims to facilitate those SMEs whose current bank loan facilities originated with banks, which are exiting the Irish market. The following product features are available through the partner On-Lenders with SBCI’s support, subject to the financial institutions’ own credit policies and procedures. • Available to eligible SMEs whose current facilities originated with a bank which is exiting or has exited the Irish market, i.e. ACC Bank, Danske Bank, Lloyds / Bank of Scotland Ireland, Irish Nationwide / IBRC, Anglo Irish Bank / IBRC. • Lower interest rates • Loan amounts up to €5m • Minimum loan maturity of 2 years • Loans may also cover investment and working capital purposes Link http://sbci.gov.ie/products/re-finance Agency Responsible: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding: Loan amounts up to €5m | No | National |
| Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Leasing and Hire Purchase | Leasing & Hire Purchase | SME leasing offers flexible asset finance funding solutions, including leasing and hire purchase (HP) that will allow SMEs finance assets including cars, commercial vehicles, plant and machinery. Lease terms are usually between 2 to 5 years and provide the SME with fixed monthly rental payments for the term. In addition payments may be V.A.T. deductible where registered and where applicable. Link http://sbci.gov.ie/products/leasing-and-hire-purchase Agency Responsible: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding: | No | National |
| Seed & Venture Capital Programme | Equity | The 2013-2018 Seed & VC Scheme improves access to finance for SMEs and to further develop the Seed & VC industry in Ireland. This is available for startups. Link http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Invest-in-Emerging-Companies/Seed-and-Venture-Capital-Scheme/ Agency Responsible: Enterprise Ireland Funding: | No | National |
| Competitive Start Fund | Grants & Loans | This fund works to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The purpose of the Competitive Start Fund is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable those companies reach key commercial and technical milestones, for example: • Evaluate overseas market opportunities and reach firm conclusions regarding the viability of the proposed business. • Build a prototype. • Secure a reference site. • Develop a market entry plan for exploiting international opportunities. • Secure partnership deal or strategic alliance. • Identify suitable channels to international markets. • Secure third party investment e.g. business angel, Venture Capital. All applications to the Competitive Start Fund must be made via the Enterprise Ireland online application system during call open dates. Link http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/company/hpsu-funding/competitive-start-fund-csf-.html Agency Responsible: Enterprise Ireland Funding: | No | National |
| Priming grants | Grants | Priming grants https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Priming-Grant/ These grants are for sole traders, partnerships, community or limited companies to develop their businesses. Finance is subject to eligibility criteria which you will need to discuss further with your local LEO Office. Link https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Priming-Grant/ Agency Responsible: Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) Funding: n/a | No | National (Local allocation) |
| Business Expansion Grant | Grants & Loans | Business Expansion Grant This grant is to help support domestically traded manufacturing and service businesses with the potential to trade internationally. Link https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Business-Expansion-Grant/ Agency Responsible: Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) Funding: n/a | No | National (Local allocation) |
| Feasibility/Innovation Grant | Grants & Loans | Feasibility/Innovation Grant These grants are designed to assist with researching market demand for a product or service and examining its sustainability. Link https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Feasibility-Grant/ Agency Responsible: Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) Funding: n/a | No | National (Local allocation) |
| Microfinance LEO Loans | Loans | Microfinance LEO Loans Loans are provided from €2,000 up to €25,000, from 3 to 5 years, with flexibility on repayment terms and a reduced interest rate for LEO clients. Link http://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Microfinance-Loans/ Agency Responsible: Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) Funding: €2,000 to €25,000 | No | National (Local allocation) |
| REFIT Schemes and Supports | Subsidies | The Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) schemes/supports are funded by the Public Service Obligation (PSO) which is paid for by all electricity consumers. The REFIT schemes have been designed to incentivise the development of renewable electricity generation in order to ensure Ireland meets its goal of 40% of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020. More information on the REFIT Schemes Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 0.3MB) The current REFIT schemes are now closed as of 31 December 2015. The Department will no longer accept applications Link http://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/energy/topics/Renewable-Energy/electricity/renewable-electricity-supports/Pages/REFIT-Schemes-and-Supports.aspx Agency Responsible: Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment Funding: | Yes | National |
| Competitive Feasibility Fund | Grants | This is a fund to assist a new start up company or individual entrepreneur to investigate the viability of a new significant growth orientated business. Enterprise Ireland regularly offers feasibility funding for business start-ups in various sectors and geographic regions. The objective of the Competitive Feasibility Funds is to assist new start-up companies or entrepreneurs, to investigate the viability of a new growth-orientated business proposition which has the potential to become a High Growth Potential Start-up (HPSU). These are companies that can develop scalable innovative technologies, products or services for sale on world markets. We are seeking to support projects that are likely to achieve significant growth within three years (sales of €1m per annum and employment of 10 or more) or, where a company is required to have FDA or CE approval, to have €1 million in sales within three years of approval to sell. The purpose of the Feasibility Grant is to enable the applicant and Enterprise Ireland to reach firm conclusions regarding the project's viability and set out investor-ready plans and financials associated with developing and commercialising the product or service on international markets. The Fund is open to manufacturing and internationally traded services business and designed to enable start-up companies reach key commercial and technical milestones. Link http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/EI_Corporate/en/funding-supports/Company/HPSU-Funding/Competitive-Feasibility-Fund-CFF-.html Agency Responsible: Enterprise Ireland Funding: | No | National |
| Western Investment Fund for SMEs | Equity & Loans | This Investment Fund provides loans and equity to high growth enterprises. It has already funded projects in areas such as bio ICT, medical devices, ICT, high tech manufacturing, food and tourism. Link http://www.wdc.ie/wdc-investment-fund/ Agency Responsible: Western Development Commission Funding: | No | Regional |
| Business Angel Finance | Equity | Through Business Angel Finance, high net worth individuals or syndicates invest up to €1 million for usually between 3 and 7 years in return for equity stake in your business. More information is available at www.hban.org Link http://www.intertradeireland.com/equity-old/businessangelfinance Agency Responsible: Intertrade Ireland Funding: Up to €1m | No | Regional & Cross Border |
| Innovative HPSU Fund (Equity) | Equity | Enterprise Ireland offers equity investment to high potential start-up (HPSU) clients, on a co-funded basis to support the implementation of company business plans. Link http://www.enterpriseireland.ie/en/Funding-Supports/Company/HPSU-Funding/Innovative-HPSU-fund.html Agency Responsible: Enterprise Ireland Funding: | No | National |
| Startup Relief for Entrepreneurs (SURE) | Taxation / Tax relief | Startup Refunds for Entrepreneurs (SURE) is a tax relief incentive scheme. If you are interested in starting your own company, you may be entitled to an income tax refund of up to 41% of the capital that you invest. Link http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it15.html http://www.revenue.ie/en/business/running/initiatives-smes.html Agency Responsible: Revenue Commissioners Funding: n/a | No | National |
| Employment and Investment Scheme | Taxation / Tax relief | The Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme offers investors up to 40% tax relief on their total income in return for investing in new ordinary shares in qualifying SMEs for a three year investment period Link http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it55.html Agency Responsible: Revenue Commissioners Funding: n/a | No | National |
| Tax Relief for new start-up companies | Taxation / Tax relief | A tax relief from Corporation Tax can be available for new start-up companies who have a corporate tax liability of less than €40,000, subject to certain conditions being met. Link http://www.revenue.ie/en/practitioner/tax-briefing/archive/2013/no-022013.html http://www.revenue.ie/en/business/running/initiatives-smes.html Agency Responsible: Revenue Commissioners Funding: n/a | No | National |
| Research & Development Tax Credits | Taxation / Tax relief | A tax relief from Corporation Tax can be available for companies engaged in high value add Research & Development ('R&D') activities. The R&D Tax Credit gives a company a 25% tax credit for their expenditure on qualifying R&D in a given year. Link http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/ct/research-development.html Agency Responsible: Revenue Commissioners Funding: n/a | No | National |
| VAT measures to reduce burden on SMEs | Taxation / Tax relief | A number of VAT measures facilitate small businesses including a) increasing the cash accounting threshold to €2m, b) retaining the 9% VAT rate, c) non-registration or reduced VAT filing for businesses with low turnover. These measures aim to assist cash flow, reduce administrative burden and encourage employment. Link http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/index.html http://www.revenue.ie/en/business/running/initiatives-smes.html Agency Responsible: Revenue Commissioners Funding: | No | National |
| The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme | Employment Support | Allows those embarking on self employment to retain some existing welfare benefits while setting up a new business. If you are getting certain social welfare payments and you would like to become self-employed, the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) allows you to keep a portion of your social welfare payment for 2 years. Link http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Back-to-Work-Enterprise-Allowance-Self-Employed.aspx Agency Responsible: Department of Social Protection Funding: | No | National |
| JobsPlus | Employment Support | JobsPlus is an employer incentive which encourages and rewards employers who offer employment opportunities to jobseekers on the Live Register. JobsPlus is a simple scheme for employers to access, offering up to €10,000 for a qualifying recruit, payable on a monthly basis over a two year period. The employment you provide must be for at least 30 hours per week and must span a minimum of 4 days in each week Link http://www.jobsplus.ie/ Agency Responsible: Department of Social Protection Funding: Max €10,000 | No | National |
| Accelerate Management Development Programme | Advice | This programme provides business owners/managers with the management, leadership, business skills and knowledge to achieve sustainability and growth in their business. Link https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Training-Programmes/Accelerate-Management-Development-Programme/ Agency Responsible: Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) Funding: | No | National (Local allocation) |
| Access to EU Programmes, EU Finance and EU Markets | Advice | The Enterprise Europe Network assists SMEs who are looking for EU Programmes and Supports. The Network organises international brokerage events and provides a central database for SMEs to offer, or search for, business opportunities, technology transfer and licensing deals in the EU and in many other countries. Link http://www.een-ireland.ie/ Agency Responsible: Enterprise Ireland Funding: | No | National |
| Horizon 2020 Supports | Advice | Aimed at helping companies and researchers from Ireland and Northern Ireland collaborate in Horizon 2020. InterTrade Ireland offers a suite of supports and vouchers specifically designed to facilitate this North South collaboration and to increase participation in the Horizon 2020 funding scheme. Link http://www.intertradeireland.com/horizon2020/ Agency Responsible: Enterprise Ireland Funding: n/a | No | Regional & Cross Border |
| New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme | Mentoring | This is a national Incubation programme that offers successful applications a package of supports to help accelerate business growth and equip individual with the skills to start and grow their company. Link http://www.energiavirasto.fi/en/web/energy-authority/feed-in-tariff Agency Responsible: Enterprise Ireland Funding: n/a | No | National |
| Training Networks Programme (TNP) | Training | Join a Skillnets training network to benefit from high quality training that is subsidised, relevant to your needs, and delivered at a time and in a location that suits your business. This is available for all sectors but there may be a renewable energy network. Further information is available at http://www.skillnets.ie/companies Link http://www.skillnets.ie/training-networks Agency Responsible: Skillnets Funding: n/a | No | Regional & Local |
| Management Works Programme | Mentoring | Subsidised management development training and mentoring programme available to businesses in all sectors to assist them to grow in terms of their sales, output and employment. Link http://www.managementworks.ie/ Agency Responsible: Skillnets Funding: n/a | No | National |
| Trade Accelerator Vouchers | Grants | These vouchers provide financial support towards professional advice such as financial and legal. These vouchers can also be used for market research to scope potential business in opposite jurisdiction. Link http://www.intertradeireland.com/trade_accelerator_vouchers/ Agency Responsible: Intertrade Ireland Funding: | No | Regional & Cross Border |
| Start Your Own Business Programme | Advice | This programme is for people who have a business idea and want to assess its viability and decide whether to proceed. Link https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Training-Programmes/Start-Your-Own-Business-Programme/ Agency Responsible: Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) Funding: n/a | No | National (Local allocation) |
| Tendering Supports | Training | Aimed at helping companies gain the necessary knowledge and practical skills to tender successfully for public sector contracts particularly on a cross border basis. These include 2 day workshops (Go2Tender), Meet the Buyer Events and supports for collaborative bidding. Further information is available at http://www.intertradeireland.com/go-2-tender/ Link http://www.intertradeireland.com/tendersuccessfully/ http://www.intertradeireland.com/go-2-tender/ Agency Responsible: Intertrade Ireland Funding: | No | Regional & Cross Border |
| HPSU Feasibility Study Grant | Grants | This Study Grant assists a new start-up company or individual entrepreneur to investigate the viability of a new export orientated business or proposition. Link https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Funding-Supports/Company/HPSU-Funding/HPSU-Feasibility-Study-Grant-.html Agency Responsible: Enterprise Ireland Funding: | No | National |
| SEAI Energy Advice and Mentoring | Advice | SEAI provides free, one-to-one advice and mentoring to private-sector SMEs from one of our specialist energy advisors. These advisors help and motivate SMEs to assess their own energy use, to identify opportunities for savings and to take action to realise these savings. This is also available for startups Link http://www.seai.ie/Your_Business/Energy_Advice_Mentoring Agency Responsible: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Funding: | No | National |
| SME Support Tool | Advice | Visit the SME support Tool to see what supports are available to help a business to grow. There are over 170 government supports available to Irish Start Ups and small Businesses. The online tool will quickly help highlight relevant, available supports. Further information can be found at https://www.djei.ie/en/ Action Plan for Jobs http://www.actionplanforjobs.ie/ Link http://www.supportingsmes.ie/businessdetails.aspx Agency Responsible: Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation Funding: | No | National |
| Ocean Energy Prototype Development Fund | Funding | SEAI is a member of OCEANERA-NET, a network of 16 national and regional funders and managers of research and innovation programmes, from 9 European Countries. The objective of OCEANERA-NET is to coordinate funding programmes between European countries and regions to support research and innovation in the ocean energy sector. OCEANERA-NET will work towards joint calls for collaborative research and innovation projects. For more information see the OCEANERA-NET website: http://www.oceaneranet.eu/ The main focus of the Prototype Development Fund programme is to stimulate the development and deployment of Ocean Energy (OE) devices and systems. As such, the emphasis is on industry-led projects for the following types of activities: • Industry-led projects to develop and test wave and tidal energy capture devices and systems; • Independent monitoring of projects and technologies • Industry-led research and development (R&D) aimed at the integration of ocean energy into the electricity market and the national electricity grid (and network); • Data monitoring, forecasting, communications and control of OE systems; • Specific industry-led research projects which will be carried out by research centres, third level institutions and centres of excellence with a high level of expertise in the relevant area Maximum and minimum funding available Link http://www.seai.ie/Renewables/Ocean-Energy/Prototype-Development-Fund/ Agency Responsible: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Funding: | Yes | National |
| Innovation Voucher for start-up companies | Grants | This voucher provides funding towards collaborating with registered college or knowledge provider to explore a business opportunity or technical problem. This is only available for startups. This is available for all sectors but may be particularly useful for those in the renewable energy sector. Link http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Funding-Supports/Company/HPSU-Funding/Innovation-Voucher.html Agency Responsible Enterprise Ireland Funding | No | National |
| Innovation Partnership Grant Programme | Grants | This Programme provides financial support to companies who engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities or Institutes of Technology (IOTs). The Innovation Partnership Programme can help you to take your business to the next level. Enterprise Ireland can help your company to access the latest skills and expertise from research institutes throughout Ireland. The Innovation Partnership Programme can provide up to 80% of the cost of research work to develop new and improved products, processes or services, or generate new knowledge and know-how. In an independent survey of companies that participated in the Innovation Partnership Programme: • 96% of respondents would be willing to recommend the Programme to other businesses. • 71% of participant companies surveyed said that their objectives were largely or fully achieved. • Each €1 of funding invested by Enterprise Ireland in Innovation Partnerships delivered €7.71 Net Turnover Impact at the company side. Link http://www.enterpriseireland.ie/EI_Corporate/en/Research-Innovation/Companies/IPP-Brochure.pdf Agency Responsible Enterprise Ireland Funding | No | National |
| EURES | Employment Support | The European Employment Services (EURES) team can help employers who have difficulty recruiting staff in Ireland or who wish to broaden their skill base with access to jobseekers in other EU and EEA countries. As a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA), you are entitled to work in any other EEA country without a work permit as a salaried employee or a self-employed individual. The EURES European Job Mobility Portal, established by the European Commission helps you to find available opportunities. By selecting 'search for a job', you can access job vacancies in 32 countries (the EEA plus Switzerland), updated in real time. Link http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/European-Recruitment-Service-(EURES)_holder.aspx Agency Responsible: Department of Social Protection Funding: | No | National |
| The EmployAbility Service | Employment Support | The nationwide EmployAbility Service provides an employment support service for people with a health condition, injury, illness or disability and a recruitment advice service for the business community. Link http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/List-of-Employability-Organisations.aspx Agency Responsible: Department of Social Protection Funding: | No | National |
| The Wage Subsidy Scheme | Employment Support | The Wage Subsidy Scheme provides financial incentives to employers to employ disabled people who work more than 20 hours per week. Link http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Wage-Subsidy-Scheme_holder_3176.aspx Agency Responsible: Department of Social Protection Funding: | No | National |
| Work Place Supports | Employment Support | A number of practical supports and allowances are available to companies to proactively assist the participation of people with a disability in the workforce. There are schemes available to support companies to employ someone with a disability, or to retain an employee who has acquired an impairment or illness Link http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Workplace-Supports_holder.aspx Agency Responsible: Department of Social Protection Funding: | No | National |
| Enterprise Space / Incubation space | Incubation & Office Space | Three examples are given: The GTC provides a dynamic office space with business support services in a connected network of entrepreneurs, high growth companies, investors and support agencies. http://www.gtc.ie/ Fiontarlann is a 6100 sq ft Incubation and Enterprise Centre in Donegal providing office space with business support services in a connected network of entrepreneurs, high growth companies, investors and support agencies. http://www.fiontarlann.com WestBIC Roscommon region provides hotdesking / office space with business support services in a connected network of entrepreneurs, with business support. Link http://www.westbic.ie/ Agency Responsible: WestBIC (Business Innovation Centre) Funding: | No | National (Local allocation) |
| Support | RE Specific? | Area Type |
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