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
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
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 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.
IntertradeIreland Trade Hub
The InterTradeIreland Trade Hub supports existing and new SMEs with All Island Trade issues.
The Trade Hub has developed a comprehensive knowledge base which provides information on a variety of topics, including trade in goods and services. It focuses on the key areas of Customs, VAT, Regulation, and Employment.
It provides SMEs with tailored, fully funded, one-to-one consultancy support.
Eligibility Criteria
For those that require level 1 Telephone Consultation
- Any SME based on the island of Ireland
For those who require level 2 – Three Days fully funded 1 to 1 consultancy
- Located on the island of Ireland (North or South)
- Potential to trade across the border (Northern Ireland / Ireland)
- Employ fewer than 250 employees
- Have an annual turnover of less than €50m (or sterling equivalent)
- Have a satisfactory trading history
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.
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.
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.
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.
Strategic Marketing Review
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 Enterprise Ireland 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.
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.
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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16 supports based on your selections
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.
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.
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
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 are an Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office or Údarás na Gaeltachta client
- Companies who employ a minimum of 5 full time staff
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Support social enterprises to address collective community needs
Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme(SICAP)
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.
Financial assistance for job creation
Employment Grants
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.
Provide an unemployed person with a job opportunity
JobsPlus Subsidy
JobsPlus is a financial incentive to encourage employers to offer job opportunities to unemployed people.
Businesses with recruitment needs that 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 four days.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Offer voluntary work experience placements to jobseekers
Work Placement Experience Programme
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.
Financial supports to help make workplaces more accessible
Work and Access
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
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
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37 supports based on your selections
Accessible & Inclusive Tourism
Unlock the potential of your business to grow, while future-proofing your business to be more inclusive for all.
A range of online resources including video case studies, guides and checklists to help your business grow by making it more accessible to all, with some low cost no cost tips, tools and advice.
Businesses interested in growing their business by making it more inclusive and accessible.
You might be eligible if you are a business in the hospitality and tourism industry, such as:
- an accommodation provider (hotels, B&Bs, self-catering)
- a restaurant or cafe
- an activity providers (tours, attractions, adventure activities)
- a tourism-related businesses (transport, retail, cultural experiences, festival)
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Connected Hubs Platform & Network
Ireland’s national platform providing access to more than 400 coworking and enterprise hubs
Businesses can quickly find workspace, meeting rooms and specialist facilities, along with programmes, training and local supports. The network helps organisations establish or expand operations, improve productivity and offer staff professional, well-connected places to work.
- Connected Hubs is for businesses of all sizes seeking flexible workspace, professional facilities or a base to grow.
- It supports startups, SMEs, remote and hybrid teams, project groups and organisations expanding into new regions.
- Employers looking to provide staff with secure, well-equipped local work options will also benefit from the nationwide network.
Leadership for Growth - Udaras
Helps leaders to build skills for international growth
This leadership training programme helps to develop the business skills and abilities of Irish senior management. The aim is to help Irish companies to boost effectiveness, decision-making and global connections and in turn create more jobs in Ireland.
CEOs in well-established businesses (in any sector) who want their businesses to continue to grow and compete successfully on an international level.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Údarás na Gaeltachta client
- You are a CEO or leader in your company
- The course fee is €25,000 (This may be higher for larger companies)
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.
Strategic Consultancy Assignment
Hire a consultant to develop and roll out strategic initiatives
It's important to prepare your business for difficult times. A strategy consultant can help you plan for change, helping you to overcome challenges and discover new opportunities for your business.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland client
- Small and Medium Established Clients (greater than 10 full-time employees)
- Large companies are eligible for strategic consultancy assistance for environmental studies
Leadership for Growth
Helps leaders to build skills for international growth
This leadership training programme helps to develop the business skills and abilities of Irish senior management. The aim is to help Irish companies to boost effectiveness, decision-making and global connections and in turn create more jobs in Ireland.
CEOs in well-established businesses (in any sector) who want their businesses to continue to grow and compete successfully on an international level.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland client
- You are a CEO or leader in your company
- The course fee is €25,000 (This may be higher for larger companies)
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.
Equity Investment Scheme
Investment in return for a share in your business
Údarás na Gaeltachta can provide you with funding to develop your business when it is in the expansion phase, in exchange for an equity share in your business.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- Your business is developing, expanding and located in a Gaeltacht region
- You have a comprehensive business plan
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.
Aquaculture Funding
Access funding to support aquaculture skills and training.
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027 is the primary funding programme for the seafood sector and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU.
You may be eligible if:
- A new entrant to the Irish seafood sector or,
- Are currently employed in the sector and wish to upskill
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.