Taking your small business to the next level is exciting, but knowing how to start can be daunting. Here, you will find information on a range of supports to help with expansion – from entering new markets to hiring skilled staff and everything in between.
How can we help?
Expand your business
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Featured export supports
Entering new markets provides your business with new opportunities to grow and reach more customers.
Here are some of the most popular supports to help your business plan and prepare to expand into new markets.
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Market Discovery Fund
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:
- You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
- You are a potential EI client operating a small to medium or large business
- You have been trading for 5+ years with annual revenues of at least €500K
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Tradeshows and Webinar Participation
Drive business growth and enhance your international reputation
Bord Bia facilitates trade shows and webinar participation by organising and managing events that allow Irish food and drink companies to showcase their products globally.
Food and drink businesses looking to expand their presence in a new market.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Market Study Visits
Get market exposure to help your strategic business planning
A Bord Bia Market Study Visit allows Irish food and drink companies to explore international markets by engaging directly with local experts and understanding consumer trends.
Food and drink businesses that want to explore new markets.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Trade Fair Participation Scheme
Cover costs of first time participation in a trade fair
This scheme covers key expenses like travel and stand rental, helping you to grow your business in new markets.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- Your business is developing, expanding and located in a Gaeltacht region
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
HPSU Founders Forum
Founders supporting founders to scale globally.
The High Potential Start-up (HPSU) Founders Forum equips new and seasoned CEOs of startups with the tools to scale successfully. By fostering peer-to-peer learning and providing expert guidance, the program helps founders tackle challenges, refine their business plans, and prepare for growth. Through interactive workshops, mentorship, and access to a supportive community, participants develop a robust scaling strategy and position themselves for long-term success.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-up (HPSU) client
- Local Enterprise Office or Údarás Na Gaeltachta clients, trading internationally in manufacturing or an eligible services industry
- Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
IDA Ireland International Marketing Programme
IDA support to expand into new markets.
IDA Ireland's International Marketing Programme (IMP) is a financial grant program designed to specifically support existing client companies in expanding to new international markets.
You may be eligible if:
You already have a partnership with IDA Ireland on other programs or initiatives.
Masterclass in Market Intelligence
Get market research training for business growth and informed decision-making
The course provides participants with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to conduct market research, identify potential opportunities and threats, and make informed decisions about product development, pricing, and marketing.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a senior leader at director level in a business
- Businesses that want to gain insights on competitors and markets.
Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters
Take your small business into new markets
With this grant, you can test the waters by attending overseas trade fairs and networking events, developing new marketing materials and building a website that will help you reach new international audiences
Small businesses that are planning to expand into international markets.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- You employ up to 50 people
- You have been operating in Ireland for at least 12 months
- You engage in manufacturing or internationally traded services
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Technical Assistance for Micro-Exporters Grant (TAME)
Explore export opportunities
This support provides funding to assist businesses in exploring and developing export opportunities.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- Your business is developing, expanding and located in a Gaeltacht region
- You are engaged in manufacturing or internationally traded services
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Market Research Centre
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:
- You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
- You’re an Irish business that is not yet a client (however you may incur additional fees)
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Featured job creation supports
Access to the right skills and talent is crucial in the competitive business world.
Here are some of the most popular supports to help you hire new people and build a skilled team.
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HR & OD Community of Practice
Nurturing HR & OD excellence for scalable business growth.
The HR & OD CoP is a collaborative platform bringing together HR and OD leaders to share knowledge, address challenges, and drive innovation. Through interactive roundtables and peer learning groups, we foster a dynamic community focused on exploring and overcoming HR and OD challenges, exchanging best practices, and uncovering emerging trends and solutions.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland client company.
- Targeted towards HR Managers, HR Directors, Chief People Officers, who are responsible for leading the people function within their business
- Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Tourism Careers
Develop a talent pool and gain access to new skills
Online guidance and resources to support businesses with the recruitment and retention of staff and building a positive and inclusive Employer brand, while contributing to the reputation of tourism & hospitality as a rewarding career of choice.
Businesses with recruitment needs that are interested in attracting and retaining the best employees.
You might be eligible if you are a business in the Irish hospitality and tourism industry, such as:
- an accommodation provider (hotels, B&Bs, self-catering etc)
- a restaurant or cafe
- an activity providers (including tours, attractions, adventure activities)
- a tourism-related business (transport, retail, cultural experience, festival)
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
JobsPlus Subsidy
Provide an unemployed person with a job opportunity
JobsPlus is a financial incentive to encourage employers to offer job opportunities to unemployed people.
Businesses with recruitment needs but need to manage the cost of employment.
You may be eligible if:
- You are registered as a business with the Revenue Commissioners and are tax compliant
- You offer full-time employment of at least 30 hours per week, over a minimum of 4 days.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
INTREO Recruitment Services
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:
- You are a business that needs advice on recruitment and employment services and programmes.
Key Manager Support
Attract and hire key people with the right skills
A business is nothing without good people. With this key manager grant, you can get help with the salary cost of a ‘Key Manager’ – someone whose skills are needed for the success of your business. Examples of Key Manager positions are Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Research & Development Manager, etc.
Businesses seeking to hire the best leaders or fill a talent gap.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
- You are a potential EI client operating a small to medium business
- You have been trading for at least 2 years
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
HPSU Founders Forum
Founders supporting founders to scale globally.
The High Potential Start-up (HPSU) Founders Forum equips new and seasoned CEOs of startups with the tools to scale successfully. By fostering peer-to-peer learning and providing expert guidance, the program helps founders tackle challenges, refine their business plans, and prepare for growth. Through interactive workshops, mentorship, and access to a supportive community, participants develop a robust scaling strategy and position themselves for long-term success.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-up (HPSU) client
- Local Enterprise Office or Údarás Na Gaeltachta clients, trading internationally in manufacturing or an eligible services industry
- Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Talent Programmes
Supporting professional growth in the Irish food and drink industry
The Bord Bia Talent Academy trains graduates in the Irish food and drink industry by offering educational programs that combine classroom learning with real-world experience.
Food and drink businesses with an export presence and/or Research and Development division.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Wage Subsidy Scheme
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:
- You are registered as a business with the Revenue Commissioners and are tax compliant
- You can offer a minimum 6-month contract to the employee.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
GradStart
Develop a talent pool and gain access to new skills
GradStart provides financial support for businesses to compete for and hire graduate talent. The support covers the cost of taking in graduate talent on a two-year placement basis, to improve the skills base within your business.
Businesses that want to develop their talent pool and gain access to new skills.
You may be eligible if:
- You’re an Enterprise Ireland, a Local Enterprise Office or Údarás na Gaeltachta client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Employment Funding Support
Increase the number of employees in your business
Enterprise Ireland's Employment Funding Support is an employment grant that helps businesses with growth potential to create new jobs, through projects focused on increasing international trade.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland (EI) Client with 10 or more
- You are a potential EI client operating a small to medium business
- You have been trading for 2 years
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Featured expansion supports
Grow your business by hiring more people, adding additional equipment or investing in new facilities.
Here are some of the most popular supports to help your business expand.
Type of support
ALL
Business size
ALL
Support agency
ALL
Industry
ALL
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HR & OD Community of Practice
Nurturing HR & OD excellence for scalable business growth.
The HR & OD CoP is a collaborative platform bringing together HR and OD leaders to share knowledge, address challenges, and drive innovation. Through interactive roundtables and peer learning groups, we foster a dynamic community focused on exploring and overcoming HR and OD challenges, exchanging best practices, and uncovering emerging trends and solutions.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland client company.
- Targeted towards HR Managers, HR Directors, Chief People Officers, who are responsible for leading the people function within their business
- Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Leasing and Hire Purchase
Get flexible funding for vehicles and machinery
Flexible funding schemes, like hire purchase agreements, allow you to own the asset at the end of the contract. While a finance lease allows you to rent the asset for as long as you need it, then return it.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Market Access Export Information Portal
Support to export agrifood products and live exports
This portal brings together information on the full range of open international markets and products, and the relevant certification conditions, in a user-friendly format for exporters
You may be eligible if:
You are an exporter/ business operator looking to export agrifood products and live exports.
Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme
Low-cost loans for growth, resilience and sustainability
This support offers loans of up to €3 million. These loans can be used to make long-term investments in equipment, premises, process innovation or research and development.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- You are a small mid-cap company (A small mid-cap is an enterprise that is not an SME but has fewer than 500 employees)
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Tourism Research and Insights
Thrive in tourism with Fáilte Ireland's research and insights.
Make better decisions to help you thrive in tourism with Fáilte Ireland's research and insights.
Expand, develop, invest or launch your tourism business with the benefit of Fáilte Ireland's research. Understand your customers, access industry data, and make strategic decisions for success. Explore reports on trends, economics, and product development. Your one-stop shop for informed planning and diversification.
You might be eligible if you are:
- Anyone operating or planning a tourism business or investment
- Public agencies and public and private stakeholders involved in tourism and destination development.
- Anyone whose business is part of or dependent on the tourism supply chain
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Capital Grants
Financial help to invest in initial assets
This support provides assistance to businesses making an initial investment in ‘material assets’ such as buildings or equipment, or ‘immaterial assets’ such as the transfer of technology through the acquisition of patent rights, licences, know-how or unpatented technical knowledge.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- Your business is developing, expanding and located in a Gaeltacht region
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Fisheries Funding
Funding for the Irish Fisheries 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 a small-scale coastal fishery and vessels up to 24 meters as well as promote aquaculture.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Bespoke Research
Get targeted insights for informed business decisions
This support provides food and drink businesses with research, strategic thinking and project management guidance.
Food or drink businesses that want to strengthen their brand and increase their competitiveness in domestic and international markets.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Expansion Loan
A low-cost loan to grow your business
This is a small scale loan to fund plans to expand your business.
You might be eligible if:
- Established businesses
- Your business has fewer than 10 full time employees
- Your business has an annual turnover of less than €2 million
- Your business has experienced difficulty in securing loans from the banks
- Living in Ireland
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Bespoke Brand Activation
Make your food or drink brand stand out in a competitive market
This support provides food and drink businesses with brand activation strategic thinking and project management guidance.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.