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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21 supports based on your selections
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
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Business Partnering Opportunities
Unlock Global Collaboration: Partner with EEN for Business Success
Assisting organizations seeking international business collaborators, such as subcontractor, licensing opportunities, an agent, or a partner for a product development initiatives. Alternatively, EEN can help search for a partner to assist with EU funding applications.
- All organizations, including higher education institutions, that are interested in international collaboration
HPSU Feasibility Study Grant
Are you a high potential start up (HPSU) interested in bringing your innovative product or service to an international market?
This Study Grant assists a new start-up company or individual entrepreneur to investigate the viability of a new export orientated business or proposition.
You may be eligible if you are:
- Innovative HPSUs preparing to raise investment, who is an existing Enterprise Ireland client.
Strategic Marketing Review - Udaras
Improve your sales and marketing plans
This is a short, intensive programme for senior leaders. It allows you to gain support and training to identify business growth opportunities and build a clear marketing plan.
The Strategic Marketing Review is suited to 2 types of businesses - early stage clients who are limited with resources in sales and marketing, or companies that have resources, are exporting, and want to scale.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Údarás na Gaeltachta client
- You need to address sales and marketing challenges in the short term
- You are an early stage business with revenues of €0.5m or less
- You are already exporting and want to scale
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Trade Export Pathway
Explore your cross-border export potential
Exporting businesses are more innovative, productive and resilient compared to their non-exporting peers and trading cross-border is one of the easiest ways to grow your business. It's on your doorstep, easy to access and we can help you take the first steps on your export journey.
Whether your business is getting ready to export or growing exports, let us help you on your journey with the Trade Export Pathway. We offer free, specialist support to grow your cross-border exports. It’s a quick and simple application process and your business will benefit from bespoke support tailored to your specific needs.
To be eligible for support under the Trade Export Pathway, businesses must:
- Have less than 250 employees
- Have the last full financial year turnover of more than £50,000 and less than £40m (or euro equivalent).
- Be a business based in Ireland or Northern Ireland
- Have a minimum of 12 months trading history
Sole Traders and partnerships that satisfy the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.
Development of Market Research Skills Scheme
Learn how to carry out market research to enter new markets
This support can be used to help cover the internal costs of exploring new market opportunities.
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.
Digital Marketing Capability
Improve your digital marketing for business growth
This support provides businesses with the help they need to effectively use digital marketing channels to reach new customers, grow sales and expand their market reach.
Businesses who want to improve their online presence and connect with a wider audience.
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.
Digital Marketing Capability
Improve your digital marketing for business growth
This support provides businesses with the help they need to effectively use digital marketing channels to reach new customers, grow sales and expand their market reach.
Businesses who want to improve their online presence and connect with a wider audience.
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.
Get Exporting
Support to achieve first-time export sale
Through our Export Development Pathway, we aim to simplify the export journey and help you build the knowledge, confidence, and strategies needed to succeed in international markets.
Get Exporting is for Irish manufacturing and internationally traded services companies looking to succeed in international markets. Companies must have less than €10,000 in export sales per annum in Northern Ireland or any other international market to apply. This programme does not currently extend to food and drink businesses. A commitment is required from the CEO and/or a member of the senior leadership team.
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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15 supports based on your selections
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
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions
Work Placement Experience Programme
Offer voluntary work experience placements to jobseekers
The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a voluntary work experience programme for jobseekers who are currently getting a qualifying social welfare payment and have been unemployed for six months or more.
Businesses offering voluntary work experience placements.
You may be eligible if:
- You are registered as a business with the Revenue Commissioners and are tax compliant
- You have a minimum of one full-time employee who is employed for at least 30 hours per week.
- You can offer a structured and supervised work placement experience.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Employment Grants
Financial assistance for job creation
This is a grant to cover the cost of employing staff on a full-time or part-time basis.
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.
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.
Key Manager Support - Udaras
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 Údarás na Gaeltachta client
- You are a potential Údarás na Gaeltachta client operating a small to medium business
- You have been trading for at least 2 years
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
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.
GradStart- Udaras
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 Údarás na Gaeltachta client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Work and Access
Financial supports to help make workplaces more accessible
Work and Access is a set of supports for employers and employees that aim to remove or reduce barriers in the workplace for people with a disability.
Businesses that are making their workplaces more accessible for people with disabilities.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a private-sector, community, not-for-profit, or voluntary business in Ireland
- You have offered employment to a person with a disability and they will require workplace adaptations to undertake duties
- You have an employee who developed an illness, condition or impairment (occupational or otherwise) that affects their ability to carry out their job
- You have a workforce that requires training in the area of Disability, Equality and Inclusion
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions
Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme(SICAP)
Support social enterprises to address collective community needs
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme provides direct financial support that can make a significant difference to people by giving them the financial assistance they need to put their business ideas into practice. SICAP supports the establishment and expansion of social enterprises to address collective community needs, including employing those who are most marginalised. In turn, this can foster the establishment of local services where other enterprises may not be in a position to do so. From 2024, once-off enterprise start-up grants may assist an individual to set up a business.
SICAP supports a range of disadvantaged and marginalised groups in society who are unable or unlikely to access mainstream supports.
You might be eligible if:
- You are an individual who is starting a business
- You are a business operating using a social enterprise model whereby your enterprise generates non-public funding by charging for goods and services delivered
- To be eligible for support, social enterprises (SEs) supported under SICAP must provide services to one or more of the 12 named target groups, including the provision of employment or training opportunities, and/or focus on addressing one or more of the programme’s eight thematic focus areas.
The 12 SICAP target groups include:
- People living in disadvantaged communities
- People impacted by educational disadvantage
- People living in jobless households or households where the primary income source is low-paid and/or precarious
- People who are long-term unemployed
- People with a criminal history
- Refugees
- International Protection applicants
- Disabled people/people with disabilities
- Heads of one-parent families
- Travellers
- Roma
- Island residents
Local SEs should contact their nearest Programme Implementing (PI) organisation (available on the Pobal website) for further details and support.
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.
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Select type of Support
Select Business Size
Select Government Agency
Select Industry
37 supports based on your selections
SuperBrands
Grow your brand using an integrated design approach
SuperBrands helps food and drink businesses understand how consumers see their brand and their competitors, and find a proposition for their brand with consumers in Ireland and the UK.
Small to medium food and drink businesses that want to redesign their existing brand or develop a new brand.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
- You have an annual turnover of less than €5 million
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Omnibus - Nationally Representative Online Survey
Use market insights and customer preferences to make informed decisions
Access an online panel that reflects the national population, provided in partnership with Bord Bia and an independent research agency, both in Ireland and internationally. (Costs depend on the number of questions, ranging from basic checks to pricing and usage.)
Food or drink businesses that want fast answers on their product category or related issues.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Performance and Prospects Hub
Understand the trajectory of the Irish food, drink, and horticulture industry
This webpage allows anyone to view and access data on Irish food, drink, and horticulture exports, showing the amounts and values sent to different destinations.
Food or drink businesses with an interest in the industry's performance and future outlook.
You may be eligible if:
- No eligibility necessary
Bespoke Brand Development
Make your brand stand out in a competitive market
This support provides food and drink businesses with brand development, strategic thinking and project management guidance.
Food and drink businesses that want to strengthen their brand identity, improve market positioning, 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.
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.
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.
Food Works
Ireland’s food and drink start-up accelerator programme
This support helps early-stage food and drink companies prepare for global growth and attract investment through resources and expert guidance.
You may be eligible if:
You are early-stage food and drink companies that aim to scale globally. The aim of the programme is to get these companies investment ready.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions
Marketing Assistance Programme
Find financial support for a range of marketing activities
This programme supports Irish food, drink and horticulture producers to drive growth and enter new markets by providing grants for a range of marketing activities.
Food or drink businesses that need help to cover the costs associated with marketing, researching, and entering new international markets.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
- You have a turnover between €100,000 and €3.5 million
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.
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.