Guide To Startup Business Grants And Government Startup Support 2023

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is a network of 31 offices throughout Ireland and is usually the first place to go if you need support starting or growing a business in Ireland.

Each location has knowledgeable Business Advisors, workshops and resources available to give you advice, information, and support on starting a business in Ireland. Find your nearest LEO here.

Here are some of the key business supports from LEO:

• Training and development: LEOs provide a range of workshops and courses for business owners. Topics they cover include business planning, financial management, marketing, and e-commerce.
• Advice and mentoring: If you’re a new business owner and need dedicated one-to-one support, we recommend that you seek advice and mentoring from LEOs Business Advisors. They can help you with areas such as business planning, finance, marketing, and innovation.
• Financial supports: Eligible businesses can apply for grants for feasibility studies, capital expenditure, and employment.
• Networking and events: If you’re looking to build your network or if you’re seeking inspiration, LEO regularly hosts networking events and seminars to help businesses connect with experts and other entrepreneurs.
• Information and resources: LEOs provide a range of information and resources to businesses, including market research, business directories, and access to business databases.

Enterprise Ireland is an organisation that supports the growth of Limited Companies into other markets.

Usually, entrepreneurs start by going to their Local Enterprise Office, and then when they’re ready to expand business activities, improve efficiency, and grow sales, they visit EI for further support.

There is greater business support available from EI but there are also stricter qualifying criteria. However, being a client of EI has excellent benefits so if you are eligible for their support you’ll see results straight away! Check out our starting a business FAQ page for more information.

Types of supports offered by Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland provides business support in the Startup and expansion stages, including:

• The Business Financial Planning Grant – allows businesses to hire third-party consultants to help them create detailed plans to manage their business and finances and source the external funding they need to expand.
• Digitalisation Vouchers – helps businesses adopt new digital tools and techniques to help them optimise their activities and stay competitive in the digital age.
• The Mentor Grant matches new and existing business owners with experienced mentors to offer tailored help and advice on running their business and overcoming obstacles to growth.
• The Market Discovery Fund – supports market research and the development of viable market entry strategies into new geographic markets.
• LeanStart – an introduction to Lean concepts, helping businesses optimise their operations and minimise waste.

NDRC is an early-stage investor in tech companies, run by Dogpatch Labs, a Startup hub in Ireland. Its aim is to identify Startups and founder teams that meet a significant global unmet market need or problem.

Typical companies that go to NDRC for support have the following features:

• Deep know-how in technology
• A globally scalable product or services-led propositions
• Potential to be investor-ready or revenue-generating within 6 months
• A strong commercial and technical team

BICs are private-led organisations that help entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses. There are three in Ireland: Cork BIC, West BIC, and South East BIC.

Each BIC offers support in the following areas:

1. Investor-Ready preparation
   Your local BIC can help prepare you for investment with programmes to support startups at the concept, seed, or scaling stage.
2. Access to Finance
   The BIC’s can help to match your business with the most suitable source of finance. They can work with you on financial modelling so you can proof your financial model and business plan to secure the right type and level of funding.
3. Incubation Space
   The BIC’s operate their own incubation spaces to provide affordable office space for startups. They can also advise you on office space in your local area to suit your business.
4. Community and Collaboration
   The BICs organise a range of events to help you grow your business network and connect with industry experts in fields such as technology, as well as with investors who can help you fund your business growth.

Furthr is publicly funded via The Department of Trade, Enterprise & Employment. Furthr offer one-to-one consultancy service without charge and all of its support are free for businesses who intend to create jobs in Ireland,  looking to scale into international markets and want to raise funding.

1. The Innovation Exchange: The Innovation Exchange connects large businesses facing innovation challenges with ambitious startups and SMEs that can help them solve these challenges. It aims to address the barriers that prevent SMEs from being able to do business with corporates and government bodies.
2. Ready Set Go Furthr: This programme caters to ambitious entrepreneurs looking for guidance to grow into a significant player in the Irish market and beyond. It offers market evaluation and support for early-stage startups at the launch or pre-launch phase.
3. Pre-seed Start Fund: This programme is for startups looking to raise early-stage funding from Enterprise Ireland. It is a learning workshop on preparing a successful Pre-Seed Start Fund application.
4. Sprint: This programme is aimed at founders of pre-investment High Potential Start-up companies seeking seed investment in the next 3-9 months. It is a blended learning format where the founder will be expected to contribute 2 to 3 hours of pre-work every week.

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is an organisation that supports social entrepreneurs in Ireland. They provide funding, mentorship, and training to social entrepreneurs who are addressing social problems and creating positive change. They don’t limit the sectors they support, but some projects they have supported in the past include education and learning, children and young people, mental health, diversity and inclusion, housing and the environment.

1. Ideas Academy: Designed for people from all backgrounds with early-stage innovative ideas to solve social problems in Ireland. This is a 3-month programme that provides training, support, networking and programme bursary and the opportunity to pitch for seed funding.
2. Impact Programme: This programme supports social entrepreneurs who have an established business model and are looking to scale their impact, offering direct funding worth over €20,000.
3. Changing Ireland Accelerator Programme: Tailored support in areas such as strategy, HR, finance and marketing, mentorship from experienced social entrepreneurs, and €60,000 funding available to underserved social entrepreneurs needing support to accelerate their impact.