Running a business in Ireland can be tough, but help is available. In this section you will find information on a range of supports to help you save money, work smarter and keep up with the competition. Whether you need a hand with a problem today, a way to manage your money better, or support to make your business even stronger, here you can find helpful resources to get started.
How can we help?
Keep your business running
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What are you interested in doing?
Featured productivity supports
Making your business more productive is about finding smart ways to get more done in less time and with less resources.
Not sure where to start? Here are some of the most popular supports for creating a more productive business.
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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.
Access Advice : Lean Start
An introduction to Lean Thinking
LeanStart is an introductory, short-focused training programme that introduces your company to Lean thinking. Lean thinking is a set of business principles that can help staff learn new ways of working and identify inefficient processes that do not add value to a business.
Businesses looking to make practical improvements in their business to deliver better quality faster and without waste.
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
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Key Customer Management
Build better relationships with your most important customers
This support helps your teams find opportunities for mutual growth to improve customer experiences.
Food and drink businesses that want to improve their customer relationships.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
CMS (Commercial Marketing Strategy)
Develop your own market-ready strategies to grow your business
The Bord Bia Commercial Marketing Strategy helps food and drink businesses create marketing plans–with marketing tools and resources–for brand visibility and growth.
Food or drink businesses that need support building their strategy for growth, at home or in export markets.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Category Management
Improve the way you pitch and propose to your customers
This support helps food and drink businesses use data and insights to show the value of their products during customer discussions.
Food or drink businesses looking to grow their sales.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
LeanPlus
Apply Lean practices to improve operational effectiveness
In an ever-evolving world, businesses must always be ready for change. LeanPlus is an in-depth programme that helps you put new processes in place to reduce costs and make your business more efficient and competitive.
Businesses that want to put new processes in place to improve company productivity and reduce inefficiency.
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 already completed LeanStart
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Operational Excellence
Help to improve efficiency and competitiveness
Your business must be able to respond, adapt and improve in response to constant changes in customer needs, suppliers, and your own day-to-day operations. This support helps you to invest in a major transformation project which could help your business be more competitive on an international level.
Businesses redesigning their business to make it more efficient and competitive.
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
- Have been trading for at least 5 years, with revenues of at least €500,000
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Cyber Security Review Grant
Take the first or next step to improving your company’s cyber security in a fluid world
Enterprise Ireland, in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre, offers the Cyber Security Review. This initiative provides companies like yours access to cyber security experts who will conduct an independent review of your company’s cyber security status, identify vulnerabilities, and develop a clear roadmap for you to enhance your security measures.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
Lean for Business
Make your small business more efficient with Lean principles
With this support, find out how Lean principles can transform your business by helping your staff find new ways of working and identifying inefficient practices to increase productivity.
Businesses that want to improve their performance, reduce their costs and be more competitive.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- You employ up to 50 people
- You have been operating for at least 6 months
- You have generated revenues of at least €30k
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
LeanStart - Udaras
An introduction to Lean Thinking
LeanStart is an introductory, short-focused training programme that introduces your company to Lean thinking. Lean thinking is a set of business principles that can help staff learn new ways of working and identify inefficient processes that do not add value to a business.
Businesses looking to make practical improvements in their business to deliver better quality faster and without waste.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Údarás na Gaeltachta client
- You are a potential Údarás na Gaeltachta client operating a small to medium business
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Featured cashflow supports
Maintain a healthy cash flow to keep your business running smoothly.
From budgeting advice to funding to tide you over, here are some of the most popular supports that can provide financial help to keep your business running.
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Start-Up Capital Incentive
Tax relief for family backing new businesses
Family are often the key investors in new micro-enterprises. The Start-Up Capital Incentive (SCI) provides tax relief to family members who invest early stage micro-enterprises.
SCI helps new micro-enterprises attract investment from family members (such as a spouse or civil partner, ancestor, lineal descendant or sibling).
You may be eligible if:
You are a micro-enterprise that employs less than 10 people.
You are carrying out a qualifying new venture.
You have not commenced or made preparations to commence carrying on any trade/business more than seven years before the share issue date.
You do not have any partner/linked enterprises.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions which can be found on the Revenue website.
Small Loan
Small low-cost loans
This is a small low cost loan with minimal paperwork requirements.
You might be eligible if:
- For both Start Up & Established businesses with low funding requirements
- 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 a loan from the banks
- Living in Ireland
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Evolve Strategic Planning
Help to address challenges with changes to trade
Businesses need to be able to adapt and keep going, even through challenging times when the world around them suddenly changes. With this grant for strategic planning, we can help you prepare for future business challenges by covering the cost of preparing a response plan.
Businesses that want to prepare a plan so they can continue to operate in difficult times.
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 are actively trading and engaged in certain eligible activities, and have been impacted by business disruption
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
IDA Ireland Green Plus
Invest in Sustainability
This grant is offered to existing clients to explore and implement sustainable practices and produce a Climate Action Plan or improve existing plan.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing IDA client that is exporting
Invoice Financing
Use outstanding invoices to get a cash advance
This flexible financing is useful for small businesses to bridge cash flow gaps. For example, when a customer takes a long time to settle an invoice or if the business is experiencing seasonal slow periods.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Fruit and Veg Producer Organisation EU aid
EU aid for Producer Organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector
EU funded scheme for fruit and vegetable producers, to provide supports to these sectors. New Producer Organisations in these sectors may be formed or growers may join existing POs.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Producer Organisation in the Fruit and Vegetables Sector
Cashflow Loan
A low-cost loan to support cashflow
This is a small scale loan to support the day-to-day running of your business.
You might be eligible if:
- Established business
- 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 a loan from the banks
- Living in Ireland
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Start-up Loan
Start-up Loan
Supports the set-up and early stage phase of a new business up to 18 months
You might be eligible if:
- You are setting up a business or are in operation for less than 18 months
- 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 a loan from the banks
- Living in Ireland
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.
Small Companies Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP)
A simplified restructuring process for viable small businesses facing temporary financial difficulties.
SCARP simplifies debt restructuring for viable small businesses with temporary issues. Initiated by directors, it bypasses courts with creditor approval, offering a faster and cheaper alternative to examinership to save jobs and maximize creditor value.
To avail of SCARP, a company must meet the following criteria:
The company must be a small or micro company as defined by the Companies Act 2014.
The company is, or is likely to be, unable to pay its debts.The company must not be in liquidation and not have appointed an examiner or process adviser in the previous 5 years.
If a receiver has been appointed to the company, the company is eligible only if that receiver has been appointed for a period of less than 3 working days.
To avail of SCARP a company must also be fundamentally viable and capable of trading its way out of its current difficulties. Assessing the viability of the company is the first determination which the Process Adviser is required to make following their initial appointment by the Directors of the company.
Eligibility is subject to full terms and conditions.
Featured upskill supports
Help your team to learn new skills to keep your business moving forward.
Here are some of the most popular supports for skills development that will help to keep your business on track.
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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.
Learning Zone
Knowledge and tools for food and drink businesses to stay competitive
The Learning Zone is a digital platform that aims to help food and drink businesses improve their work processes and find new opportunities.
Food and drink businesses that want to self-learn key marketing and export trade principles.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
IDA Ireland Training Grant
Create your Talent Development Plan
The training grant is a financial incentive program designed to support existing client companies in upskilling and developing their workforce.
You may be eligible if:
You are an IDA company that can submit a talent development plan reflecting the upskilling and reskilling needs of their people to address strategic business challenges.
Food Research, Advice and Training
Advice, consultancy and training in a range of technical activities
Teasgasc provides advice, consultancy and training in a broad range of technical activities including product and process development, plant facilities, compliance with legislation and codes of practice, food safety and quality management systems.
You might be eligible if:
- You are an owner or manager seeking to upskill.
- You are an entrepreneur interested in starting a food business and seeking advice and training.
- You are an established food company that wants to improve the skills and knowledge of their workforce.
- You are a start-up food business that requires foundational training.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
EU Just Transition Tourism Learning Network
A learning programme for more sustainable tourism
Regenerative tourism is not only about limiting environmental damage, but actively delivers positive benefits to nature, habitats, community and places. The Just Transition Tourism Learning Network Programme is a two year collaborative learning programme designed to support the development of regenerative tourism within the designated EU ‘Just Transition Territory’ in Ireland.
You might be eligible if:
- You are starting or expanding a tourism business
- You are located in the EU Just Transition territory.
- You are transitioning to a career in tourism from employment by Bord na Mona or ESB Networks, having previously been employed by these national originations in peat production or electricity generation using fossil fuels.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
EOI for Intake 2 applications re-opens in September 2024.
Future Subsidiary Leaders Programme
Invest in your future leaders
Delivered by IMI in association with IDA Ireland, this programme is run over 6 months and supports the development of future leadership teams of multinational subsidiaries in Ireland.
You may be eligible if:
You are a senior or future senior leader of multi-nationals in Ireland.
Accelerate Management Development Programme
Management training for small businesses to lead and grow their business
This support helps small business owners and managers achieve sustainable growth by providing them with the necessary management skills and knowledge.
Owners and managers of small to medium businesses, who want to develop their skills and knowledge to manage, lead and grow their business more effectively.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- You employ up to 50 people
- You have been operating for at least 18 months
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Champions Programme
Enhance your tourism business's customer service and local knowledge with this FREE Programme.
An in person training course on Inclusive customer service and local tourism product knowledge delivered in person at numerous locations around the country, to support staff involved with tourism visitors.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Tourism and Hospitality Professional: Business owners, managers, and frontline staff directly involved in the industry.
- Or Visitor Experience Supporters: Businesses offering services that enhance the visitor experience, such as Public and private transport (taxi services, drivers, etc.), Equipment and vehicle rentals (holiday, adventure) and event staff and volunteers (festivals, etc.)
- In short, anyone who contributes to a positive visitor experience in the tourism and hospitality sector can benefit from this program.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Advice - EU Deforestation Regulation
EU Deforestation Regulation
EU Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 31 May 2023, on the making available on the European Union Single Market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation
- Supply chain actors of the relevant commodities and products that may only be placed on the EU market, made available in, or exported from the EU
My Bord Bia
Find food and drink industry-specific resources and tools
A 24/7 portal that provides tailored access to all of Bord Bia's supports and services, based on your business’s industry.
Food or drink businesses of any size.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.