Every business begins as an idea. But before you invest your savings, leave a steady job, or build a product, it’s crucial to test whether your idea has real potential. Is there a market for it? Can you deliver it at scale? Will people pay for it? The good news: in Ireland, there are a range of funding supports designed specifically to help early-stage entrepreneurs answer those questions with confidence. 

1.HPSU Feasibility Study Grant 

Best for: Ambitious founders who believe their idea could scale internationally. 
Why consider it: This Enterprise Ireland grant helps you investigate whether your product or service could become a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) – that means a business with potential to create at least 10 jobs and €1 million in sales within 3-4 years, and export internationally. The grant (up to €30,000) covers research, market analysis, prototype development, and planning. If you have a potentially big idea, this is the place to start. 

2. New Frontiers 

Best for: Entrepreneurs at idea or early development stage who want structure, mentoring, and funding. 
Why consider it: New Frontiers is Ireland’s national entrepreneur development programme, run in partnership with 18 universities across Ireland.  It combines practical workshops, mentoring, office space, and financial support (up to €15,000 tax-free) to help you validate your idea. If you’re new to entrepreneurship and want a guided, structured way to test your idea while building business skills, this is a strong choice. 

3. Innovation Vouchers 

Best for: Entrepreneurs who need access to research expertise or technical know-how. 
Why consider it: Innovation Vouchers (worth up to €10,000) let you collaborate with a higher education institution or public research organisation in Ireland. You can use them for technical development, market research, prototype testing, or innovation advice. If your idea requires specialist knowledge (for example, in food science, engineering, or software) an Innovation Voucher helps you access that expertise without upfront cost. Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Local Enterprise Office and Údarás na Gaeltachta all offer Innovation Vouchers.  

4. Feasibility Study Support 

Best for: Small businesses or sole traders who want to research the viability of a product or service. 
Why consider it: This support, often available through Local Enterprise Office (LEO), helps cover the cost of researching your market, analysing competitors, and assessing demand. It’s particularly useful if you’re at the “back of a napkin” stage and want to gather hard evidence before investing further. 

5. Start-up Loan (Microfinance Ireland) 

Best for: Entrepreneurs who need small-scale funding to take the first step. 
Why consider it: Microfinance Ireland provides loans of up to €50,000 for businesses that may struggle to secure bank finance. These loans can help you with costs like equipment, stock, marketing, or working capital. Whether you’re a sole trader, start-up or established business but don’t yet qualify for bank loans, this is a practical funding option. 

• Pre-Seed Start Fund – For businesses that have already validated their idea and are preparing for investment or rapid growth. It provides early equity funding to bridge the gap before seed investment. 

• Food Works – A joint initiative by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, and Teagasc. It’s designed for entrepreneurs with ambitious food and drink ideas, offering sector-specific mentoring, market testing, and expert advice to help your business become investor ready. 

Conor Grimes and Jayne Gavin were both working full-time jobs when they first started developing their natural food product Spoonful Botanical. But it was the funding from the New Frontiers programme that helped Conor take the leap and fully invest his time in the business.  

“We always wanted to have our own setup but we never really knew if it was achievable. Jayne was working in a marketing company in Dublin, we weren’t 100% sure if it was going to take off,” Conor says. 

“It’s not easy to get the product to the stage where you’re presenting to retailers. But with the help of New Frontiers and that kind of environment, it makes it a lot easier.” 

Choosing the Right Path 
Not every support will suit every idea. Think about your ambition, your stage, and your needs: 

• If your idea is big and international, look at HPSU Feasibility. 

• If you need structure and learning, try New Frontiers. 

• If research or testing is key, go for an Innovation Voucher or Feasibility Study. 

• If you need working capital to get moving, Microfinance Ireland is practical. 

• If you’re in food, Food Works is tailored to you. 

Validating your idea doesn’t mean leaping into the unknown — with the right support, you can reduce the risk, build evidence, and take your first confident step into entrepreneurship. 

Ready to move your idea forward? 

Contact us today to find out which support best fits your stage. The sooner you validate your idea, the sooner you’ll know where your big opportunity lies. Call us today on (01) 727 2100.