A carpenter working on plans in a small workshop

Most State grants for small businesses in Ireland are run through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), which operate in every county. They offer start-up and expansion grants of up to €150,000, smaller vouchers for digital and energy projects, and support for first time exporters. The catch is eligibility: the main grants are aimed at manufacturing and internationally traded services, not retail, personal services or local trades. This guide sets out each grant, what it pays and who can get it.

Key facts

  • Priming Grant: for businesses in their first 18 months. Up to 50% of the investment, usually capped at €80,000, up to €150,000 for high potential projects.
  • Business Expansion Grant: after the first 18 months. Same 50% rate and limits.
  • Feasibility Grant: up to €15,000 to test a new product or service (50% of costs, or 60% in the Border, Midland and Western region).
  • Grow Digital Voucher: 50% of costs, from €500 up to €5,000, for software and digital tools.
  • Energy Efficiency Grant: 75% of costs, from €750 up to €10,000.
  • Market Explorer Grant: up to €10,000 or 50% of costs for researching export markets.
  • The main grants are generally not available for retail, personal services, professional services or local construction.

Who can get a Local Enterprise Office grant?

LEOs support sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and co-operatives, provided the business can become commercially viable. But the main financial supports come with priorities and restrictions:

  • Priority sectors: manufacturing and internationally traded services, meaning businesses that sell outside their local market and could grow into exporters.
  • Excluded sectors: retail, personal services such as hairdressers, gardeners and creches, professional services such as accountants and solicitors, and construction or local building services. LEOs consider grants here would only fund activity that would happen anyway or would take business from local competitors.
  • Size: most grants are for businesses with up to 10 employees. The vouchers and smaller grants go up to 50 employees.
  • Location: the business must be established, registered and operating in the area of the LEO you apply to.
  • Linked companies: if you own or control other businesses, their staff and figures may count when deciding whether you qualify.

Start-up and growth grants

Feasibility Grant

Helps you research market demand and technical viability before launching a new product or service. It can cover market research, consultancy, prototype and technical development, and your own time. The maximum is 50% of the investment or €15,000, whichever is lower, in the Southern and Eastern region, and 60% or €15,000 in the Border, Midland and Western region. It is only for manufacturing or internationally traded services businesses with no more than 10 employees.

Priming Grant

A start-up grant for micro businesses within their first 18 months. It can cover capital items, salaries, consultancy, innovation and marketing, and general overheads. The maximum is 50% of the investment. In most cases the cap is €80,000. Grants above €80,000 and up to €150,000 are the exception, for projects with clear potential to grow into Enterprise Ireland clients. Larger grants also need Enterprise Ireland approval. You must show a market for your product, potential for growth in Irish or export markets, and potential to create jobs.

Business Expansion Grant

For the growth phase after the first 18 months. It covers the same types of costs, again at a maximum of 50% of the investment, normally capped at €80,000 and up to €150,000 for businesses with clear export or Enterprise Ireland potential. Within the 50% limit, there is a maximum of €15,000 per full time job created.

Digital and energy vouchers

Grow Digital Voucher

Helps small businesses with 1 to 50 employees invest in digital technology, such as software, training and IT configuration. The grant is 50% of eligible costs, with a minimum grant of €500 and a maximum of €5,000, which can be spread over up to two projects. To apply, you must first have completed a Digital for Business project with your LEO within the previous two years.

What happened to the Trading Online Voucher?

Many people still search for the Trading Online Voucher, which helped small businesses build websites and sell online. The national Local Enterprise Office website now lists the Grow Digital Voucher and the Digital for Business support under its digitalisation supports, and the Trading Online Voucher is not listed among current supports. Contact your local LEO to confirm what is open in your area.

Energy Efficiency Grant

Funds equipment and technology that cuts a business’s energy use and environmental impact. It pays 75% of eligible costs, from €750 up to €10,000. You must first have a Green for Business report, a GreenStart report or an SEAI energy audit, have 1 to 50 employees, and have been trading for at least six months. Grants for the building itself are handled by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

Exporting and hiring

Market Explorer Grant

Supports small businesses researching a new export market. It pays up to €10,000 or 50% of eligible costs. It is for manufacturing or internationally traded services businesses with 1 to 50 employees that have been trading for at least 12 months, have tax clearance and can show an intention to export, for example through an export programme, an internationalisation plan or early small scale exports.

GradStart

Helps LEO client companies hire a graduate on a two year contract, with financial support towards the cost. It is open to manufacturing and internationally traded services companies with at least five full time staff.

Other supports worth knowing

  • Microfinance loans: the LEO network lists Microfinance Ireland loans among its financial supports. Your LEO adviser can tell you whether they suit your business.
  • Training and mentoring: the Start Your Own Business programme, mentoring and sector programmes such as the Food Academy are open to far more businesses than the grants are, including those in excluded sectors.
  • Enterprise Ireland: businesses with strong export and growth potential, usually larger than LEO clients, are supported by Enterprise Ireland.

How to apply

  1. Find your local LEO on localenterprise.ie and contact a business adviser.
  2. Check your eligibility, especially your sector and size.
  3. Complete any required first step, such as the Digital for Business or Green for Business programme for the vouchers.
  4. Prepare a business plan or project proposal showing the market, costs and expected jobs or growth.
  5. Apply before you spend. Grants generally fund approved costs, so do not commit money before approval.

Frequently asked questions

Can a retail shop get a Local Enterprise Office grant?

Generally not for the main financial grants, which exclude retail. Retail businesses can still use LEO training, mentoring and some vouchers, depending on the scheme rules.

How much is the Priming Grant?

Up to 50% of the investment, usually capped at €80,000, with up to €150,000 possible for projects with strong potential to become Enterprise Ireland clients.

Is the Trading Online Voucher still available?

It is not listed among current supports on the national LEO website, which now lists the Grow Digital Voucher (up to €5,000) for digital projects. Check with your local office.

Do I have to repay a LEO grant?

Grants are not loans, but they come with conditions. If the conditions are not met, for example if the jobs are not created, some or all of the grant may have to be repaid. Read the grant agreement carefully.

Can I apply for a grant after I have bought the equipment?

Generally no. Apply and get approval first, because grants usually only cover costs approved in advance.

Related guides

Sources

Checked against Local Enterprise Office guidance in October 2026. Grant terms change and some supports vary by local office, so confirm details with your LEO before applying. More business guides and news in our Business section.

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