Funding and Supports

Funding and Supports for SMEs in 2023 (LEO)

Priming Grants for Start-Ups

  • Micro enterprises with up to 10 employees (or full-time equivalents)
  • Trading both in Ireland and internationally
  • Within the first 18 months of start-up
  • Has potential to develop into Internationally Trading Services (ITS) and manufacturing
  • Can be used for capital items e.g., renovating, equipment or utilities costs
  • Salary costs – Subject to the 50% limit, a maximum grant of up to €15,000 per full time job
  • Consultancy, Innovation and Marketing costs
  • Cannot be used towards the purchase of a building, land or any mobile assets
  • Maximum Priming Grant <50% of the investment up to €80,000
  • LEO can approve up to €150,000 in certain situations

Business Expansion Grant for Growth

  • To assist businesses, employing up to 10 staff
  • Cannot apply for a Business Expansion Grant for 12 months after receipt of Priming Grant
  • The maximum <50% of the investment
  • Exceptional circumstances, €150,000
  • Can be used for capital items e.g., renovating, equipment or utilities costs
  • Salary costs – Subject to the 50% limit, a maximum grant of up to €15,000 per full time job
  • Consultancy, Innovation and Marketing costs.

Feasibility/Innovation Grant?

  • To help small businesses in the research of market demand for a product or service
  • to further examine how sustainable the idea is
  • assistance with innovation, consultancy fees and technical development e.g., making a prototype.
  • maximum grant is from 50% of investment and up to a maximum of €15,000
  • Can cover market research costs and consultancy costs e.g. design, financial or legal fees
  • Can cover technical development, innovative design, research costs consultancy
  • Salary or own labour research –maximum is €400 a week but <20% of the overall grant
  • Can cover miscellaneous costs – telephone, mileage, overnight costs, air travel etc.

Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) Grants

  • Agile Innovation Fund
  • manufacturing or internationally traded services companies
  • for the development of new or substantially improved products, services
  • total project cost <€300,000
  • For companies who are new to RD&I or for small or short projects
  • Costs covered are staff costs, overheads, materials, consultancy etc.

Other Supports

Click the links below to find out more about other supports available for SMEs:

Funding can be provided to sole traders, partnerships, and Limited companies.  However, retail enterprises, personal services, professional services or construction and local services are not eligible for grant aid.