If you have ever wondered what supports you and your startup business can and should apply for in Ireland, particularly in Galway, this set of slides may be of interest - Updated July 2017

1. What ‘grants’ and
other supports
are available to
regional startups
in Ireland?

2. If you ever wondered
What assistance can: Enterprise Ireland, Local
Enterprise Offices, Institutes of Technology
Innovation Centres, New Frontiers, StartLab,
LEADER, Community Enterprise Centres,
Revenue Commissioners, Social Entrepreneurs
Ireland, WestBIC, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Halo
Business Angel Partnership, Microfinance
Ireland, Western Development Commission, IDA
Ireland, Solas (FAS), Bord Bia, and Teagasc – offer
my start up business in Galway?

3. Where to start : Local Enterprise Offices
Government Strategy
NEW - Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters
LEOs – Financial Supports
NEW – LEO Innovation investment Fund
LEADER
InterTrade Ireland
For Food Startups
Supports for Unemployed to Start a Business
Enterprise Ireland – Export and Growth oriented
For Social Entrepreneurs
Sources of Finance1
C
O
N
T
E
N
T
S
BizMentors – Pro Bono Mentoring
Click to
jump
to slide
…
Horizon 2020 – SME Instrument (€50,000)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
14
13
12
11
10

4. ’Supports’ For My StartupGreater Risk/
Investment
required
International
Market
Orientation
Click for website..

5. 1. Sources of Finance
If business needs an initial injection of capital:
1. Personal Savings
2. Family & Friends
3. Suppliers
4. Financial Institutions
+ Microfinance Ireland
5. Enterprise Agencies
6. Crowdfunding *
Peer to Peer Lending
* Blogpost : www.startuphughes.com/blog/crowdfunding-ireland/

6. 2. Government Strategy
2012 Action Plan provided overview of
Financial Support for Irish Business
www.djei.ie/publications/2012APJ.pdf
Annual Action Plans provide updates
and information on new initiatives
www.djei.ie/en/Publications/Publication
-files/Action-Plan-for-Jobs-2017.pdf
Regional Enterprise
Strategies >>>more

7. • Your Local Enterprise Office
– Business Training
– Financial Supports
– Mentoring
3. Where to start?
Online Tool: Answer 8 Questions
Click to open the Guide
from LocalEnterprise.ie
Údarás na Gaeltachta – Provision of financial
and non-financial assistance in the Gaeltacht
regions.

8. 8

9. 4. Plus if Unemployed
9
Talk to your Local Development Company
• Short Term Enterprise Allowance
gives support to people who have lost their job and
want to start their own business.is paid instead of
your Jobseeker's Benefit for a maximum of 9 months.
• Start Your Own Business scheme
If you have been unemployed for at least 12 months
and set up a qualifying business, this provides an
exemption from income tax up to a maximum of
€40,000 per annum for a period of 2 years.

10. 5. Bizmentors.ie
• BIZMENTORS is a structured mentor
programme offering Pro Bono Access to
Business Expertise and Wisdom (Galway -
Mayo and Roscommon in 2017 with national
expansion plans)
10

11. 11

12. 6. LEOs – Financial Supports
12
• Formerly branded as City/County
Enterprise Boards, your LEO
promotes entrepreneurship and
provides direct grant-support to
new and existing enterprises
• Focus on commercial micro
enterprises
– Advice
– Mentoring
– Grants
– Refundable Aid
– Training
• For sole traders, partnerships, community
or limited companies that fulfil the
following criteria:
– Located within the CEB’s geographic
area
– A business which on growth may or
may not fit the Enterprise Ireland
portfolio
– A business employing up to 10
employees
– A Manufacturing or Internationally
traded services business (75% of
trading income generated
internationally)
– A Domestically traded Service
business with the potential to trade
internationally
– A domestically traded service being
established by a female returning to
the workforce or unemployed
persons

13. Priming Grants
• The first eighteen months of setting up the
business.
• The maximum Priming Grant payable shall be
50% of the investment or €150,000 whichever is
the lesser.
• Grants over €80,000 and up to €150,000 shall be
the exception and shall only apply in the case of
projects that clearly demonstrate a potential to
graduate to Enterprise Ireland and/or to export
internationally.
• Key issue is to Avoid ‘Job Displacement’
More: www.localenterprise.ie/Galway/Financial-Supports/Priming-Grant/

14. Business Expansion Grants
• The maximum Business Expansion Grant payable shall be 50% of
the investment or €150,000 whichever is the lesser.
• Grants over €80,000 and up to €150,000 shall be the exception and
shall only apply in the case of projects that clearly demonstrate a
potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland and/or to export
internationally.
• In all other cases, the maximum grant shall be 50% of the
investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser. Subject to the 50%
limit, a maximum grant of €15,000 per full time job created shall
apply in respect of any employment support granted.
• A business that had availed of a Priming Grant will be ineligible to
apply for a Business Expansion grant until 18 months after
approval/drawdown date of Priming Grant whichever is the later.

15. Feasibility Grants
• The maximum Feasibility / Innovation Grant payable
for the BMW Region shall be 60% of the investment
or €20,000 whichever is the lesser.
• The maximum Feasibility/ Innovation Grant payable
for the S&E region shall be 50% of the investment or
€20,000 whichever is the lesser

16. Online Trading Voucher
• To support small Irish businesses to enhance their
online trading presence, Online Trading Vouchers to
the value of € 2,500 (up to a maximum of 50% of the
total cost) are available
• Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
such as implementing online payments or booking
systems. Other usage includes; purchase of Internet
related software, online advertising, development of
an app, implementation of a digital marketing strategy,
consultation with ICT experts for early stage adopters
of online strategy, training/skills development
specifically to establish and manage an online trading
activity.
16

17. Amount of Grant Aid
• Overall the cumulative level of grants to a
micro enterprise must not exceed €150,000
over a three year period.
17
Refundable Aid + Equity Investment
• May be provided.
• Refundable Aid to be repaid over years 3, 4
and 5 at 3% interest rate per annum
Will not fund expenditure incurred
before Grant is approved

18. Don’t forget the Soft Supports

19. Community Enterprise Centres
19
The National Association of Community
Enterprise Centres (NACEC) is a network of 120
community enterprise centres in the Republic
of Ireland.

20. 7. Technical Assistance for Micro
Exporters (€2,500 matched)
• Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’
Grants will part-fund the costs that can be
incurred in investigating and researching
export markets, e.g. exhibiting at Trade Fairs,
preparing marketing material and developing
websites specifically targeting overseas
markets.
• Grant Covers 50% of eligible costs (net of vat)
to a max of €2,500
20NEW
For more see https://www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/Financial-
Supports/Technical-Assistance-for-Micro-Exporters-Grant-Funding/

21. 21

22. 8. €1.5m LEO Innovation Investment
Fund for Innovative Microenterprises
• A competitive programme, LIIF is matched grant
funding (no equity) of up to €25,000.
• For LEO clients with an innovative development
plan which might include: new product launch,
new process development, new market
opportunity, marketing strategy diversification,
changing business or revenue model, Brexit
proofing, or making an addition to your
management team.
• Apply online. The application will be
sent to your designated LEO.
22NEW

23. 23

24. 9. International Market
(Technology/Knowledge) Orientation

25. HPSU – High Potential Startup
25
Competitive Feasibility
Fund (CFF)

26. Early Stage with Growth Potential
New Frontiers, funded by Enterprise
Ireland, is Ireland’s national
entrepreneur development programme
delivered by the Institutes of
Technology’s Incubation Centres (16
locations).
For those with an innovative business
idea, the six month programmes provide
a package of supports to help accelerate
the business’s development and to equip
the promoter with the skills and contacts
required to be future business leaders.
http://newfrontiers.ie/

27. 27

28. Innovation Vouchers
• Initiative aims to Build Links between Small Businesses and Knowledge Providers
• Only applies to companies
• Voucher (€5,000) can be exchanged for Advice and Expertise from the Knowledge
Providers
• Projects:
• Require Innovative Solution
• Provide Additional Value for the Business
• Have On-going Benefits
 Universities
 Institutes of Technology
 State Research Agencies: e.g.Teagasc

29. What can the Vouchers be used for?
Any kind of innovation such as:
• New Product Design / Development
• New or Improved Production Process
• New business model development
• New service delivery and customer interface
• New service development
• Tailored training in innovation management
• Innovation / technology audit
Knowledge of:
• Efficiency audits, process change
• Supply chain management and logistics
• Product and service testing and economic impact assessment

30. Early stage Equity + Accelerators
• Competitive Start Fund -
€50,000 for a 10%
ordinary equity stake in
the start-up company.
• See my two blog articles
for advice on how to
apply! AgTech - Galway

31. Source: www.slideshare.net/DonegalCEB/enterprise-ireland-raising-finance/12

32. SURE
• Startup Refunds for Entrepreneurs (SURE) is a
tax relief incentive scheme.
• Income tax refund of up to 41% of the capital
funding that you invest in the company under
SURE. Depending on the size of your
investment you may be entitled to a refund of
PAYE income tax that you paid over the six
years before the year in which you invest.
www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it15.html

33. Employment and Investment Incentive
Scheme (EII)
• The EII has replaced Business Expansion Scheme and provides tax relief for
investment in certain corporate trades
• Companies can raise €10,000,000 subject to a maximum of €2,500,000 in
any one 12 month period from groups of investors
• The scheme allows an individual investor to obtain income tax relief on
investments up to a maximum of €150,000 per annum in each tax year up
to 2013
• Companies engaged in land development, operation and management of
Nursing homes, financial activities and professional service Companies are
still excluded
• See: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it55.html

34. Get Export Ready
Get EXPORT Ready offers a systematic approach tailored to helping companies
research, prepare and develop an export strategy including:
First Flight One to One Assessment
• Introductory workshops: Full day workshop including advice from Enterprise
Ireland overseas Market Advisers, case studies from experienced exporters, market
relevant topics and information on the full range of Enterprise Ireland supports.
• Access to business intelligence: First Flight participants can access general and
premium market information and advice (including information on markets,
technologies, sectors and competitors) via our client Information Centre.
• Appointment of a Mentor: Participants can apply for a Mentor to assist in
undertaking an Export Readiness Assessment and the development and
implementation of a First Flight Action Plan.
• Advice on applying for other Enterprise Ireland supports for export development.

35. • Be Prepared Grant
Up to €5,000 available for Enterprise Ireland
client companies to help develop an action
plan.
35NEW

36. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/easme/sites/easme-site/files/smei_ireland_300117.pdf
• Disruptive Ideas for High
Growth focused companies
• 3 Galway Companies
• A 10 page application Form …
via EU Portal
• Mentoring available from LEO
/EI to complete application
• Next call cut off dates 6th Sept
and 8th November 2017 for
Phase 1.
• https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en
/horizons-2020-sme-
instrument for more

37. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/news/infographic-horizon-2020s-sme-instrument-nutshell

39. 39
Write to convince evaluators to invest in
your business
evaluators will look at four different aspects
of your proposal: the technology, market
knowledge, commercialisation plan, and the
financial angle. Each of the evaluators will
look at 3 criteria: impact, excellence, and
implementation.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/sme-
instrument-essential-tips-your-application

40. 10. LEADER 2014-2020
Galway Rural Development
(GRD) is one of 50 Local
Development Companies
(LDCs) in Ireland delivering
a range of EU and national
programmes. We cover a
large part of County
Galway (East of the Corrib).
40
Source: www.grd.ie/programmes/Rural%20Development%20Programme/LEADER%202014%20-2020/leader-2014-2020
The LEADER programme is as a key funding pillar within
the national Rural Development Programme (RDP)
2017-2020.

41. 11. InterTrade Ireland
• Equity Conference and Equity
Clinics + Business Angels
• Sales: Acumen & Elevator
Programme
• R&D: Fusion & Challenge +
US-Ireland R&D Partnership
• Tender : Go-2-Tender
Programme & Meet The Buyer
41
• €280,000 Cash Prize
Fund
• Investor Ready Advice
(Materclasses)
• Access to Networks
Source: www.intertradeireland.com/media/ITI-Corporate-Brochure-LR.pdf

42. 12. Food Startups
Food Works is a
government supported
(Bord Bia) accelerator
programme that helps
develop the next
generation of scalable
and export driven Irish
food businesses.
Bord Bia Vantage: www.bordbiavantage.ie/business-development/
Online resource for small food businesses.

43. 13. Social Entrepreneurs
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
supports social entrepreneurs
through our Academy for
Entrepreneurs and Awards
Programme, which provide
direct support to high-
potential emerging social
entrepreneurs (eligibility –
company not for profit).
43
See LinkedIn Pulse article: www.linkedin.com/pulse/inspiring-
social-enterprise-galway-2016-donncha-hughes
Plus …

44. When applying for
Enterprise Agency Support
• You need to take time to find out what grant
schemes you may be eligible for and the
criteria that apply.
• There is no such thing as free money and your
application will require anywhere from a few
hours to several days …

45. Watch out for more …
In February 2015, as part of
an overarching strategy to
support regional enterprise
development, the
Government announced a
€60 million Regional
Competitive Fund with the
objective of supporting
significant regional initiatives
to build on sectoral strengths
– across four Streams
45
Major Regional Change
Projects (€2-5 million @ 80%)
Regionally Significant change
Change Projects (Up to €2
million @ 80%)
Local & Community Enterprise
Projects (€50k to €250k @
80%)
Industry Clusters (€50k to
€250k @ 50%)

46. 46
www.startuphughes.com/galways-startup-scene-2017/

47. This presentation was uploaded to
slideshare by Donncha Hughes,
Business Advisor July 2017
donncha@startuphughes.com
www.startuphughes.com

48. Technology Innovation Procurement
Support Fund
48
• Public sector organisation could apply to a €50
million Government fund to cover 90% of cost of
new technology from qualifying Irish startup
companies (<5 years, <10m turnover)
• What criteria and conditions would apply?
• What targets should be set?
• Who responsible for management?
Idea … TIPs Fund