Here Are the Supports You Actually Have Access To (That No One Tells You About Until It’s Too Late)
Starting a business is a bold move — but you don’t have to do it alone. With Business Grants Ireland 2025, entrepreneurs now have more access than ever to supports ranging from grants and low-cost funding to mentorship and subsidised training. The challenge is often not eligibility, but knowing what’s out there — and making sure your financials are in good enough shape to apply in time.
At RizFin, we don’t apply for grants on your behalf, but we make sure your financials are clean, current, and grant-ready when you need them most.
🏛️ Local Enterprise Office (LEO) – Your First Port of Call
Your Local Enterprise Office is the first place many small businesses go when exploring supports under Business Grants Ireland 2025, making it a natural starting point for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and sole traders.
What They Offer
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Start Your Own Business courses (free or low-cost)
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Grow Digital Voucher – up to €5,000 for digital tools or training
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One-to-one mentoring in finance, marketing, HR & more
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Feasibility & Priming Grants for early-stage funding
🌐 Grow Digital Voucher – Upgrade Your Tech Stack
A key highlight in Business Grants Ireland 2025 is the Grow Digital Voucher, supporting businesses looking to modernise their operations.
Ideal for SMEs
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Up to €5,000 (covering 50% of eligible costs)
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Use for software, automation, CRM, or eCommerce tools
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Apply for two projects (combined max €5,000)
This voucher empowers businesses to stay competitive and tech-ready in today’s market.
🇮🇪 Enterprise Ireland – Built for High-Growth Startups
If you’re aiming to scale and expand globally, Enterprise Ireland is a major player in the Business Grants Ireland 2025 landscape.
Supports for Scalable & Exporting Businesses
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New Frontiers Programme (Phase 2)
Offers a €15,000 tax‑free stipend over the six-month full‑time incubation phase.
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Innovation Vouchers
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Standard Voucher: €5,000 of expertise time from registered knowledge providers.
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Co‑funded Voucher: Also €5,000, but your company contributes 50%, enabling a total project value of up to €10,000.
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Competitive Start Fund (CSF)
Provides up to €50,000 in equity funding to early-stage, globally oriented start-ups.
(Although not newly checked via the tool, this is well established and commonly cited—let me know if you’d like a refreshed confirmation via search!)
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🚀 New Frontiers – Pre-Accelerator With Stipend
This programme stands out in Business Grants Ireland 2025 for its unique blend of funding and training. It’s designed for early-stage founders seeking structured support.
Structured Support for Founders
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€15,000 tax-free stipend during Phase 2
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Business development training & mentorship
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Run by institutes of technology and universities
🧾 Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA)
For those moving from social welfare into entrepreneurship, this is a key option under Business Grants Ireland 2025.
Start While Staying Supported
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Keep your social welfare payments while you build your business — 100% in Year 1, 75% in Year 2
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Supports available: Mentoring, help with business planning, and potential Enterprise Support Grant for setup costs
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Ideal for early-stage sole traders or self-employed founders transitioning from qualifying welfare payments
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Administered by the Department of Social Protection via Intreo and Local Development Companies
🔗 BTWEA on CitizensInformation.ie
💼 Microfinance Ireland – For Businesses Turned Down by Banks
Some businesses may not qualify for bank loans — and that’s where Microfinance Ireland comes in. It plays a crucial part in Business Grants Ireland 2025.
Loans from €2,000 to €25,000
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Loans from €2,000 up to €25,000, with total borrowing capacity up to €50,000.
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Interest rate of ~6.5% APR; apply through your Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to enjoy a ~1% discount, sometimes down to ~5.5% APR.
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Designed for start-ups and micro-enterprises (sole traders, partnerships, limited companies) with fewer than 10 staff and turnover ≤ €2 million, especially if bank finance isn’t an option.
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Flexible repayment—fixed monthly repayments, terms from 1 to 5 years, no fees or penalties, and in some cases initial interest-only period.
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Bonus support: Free mentoring and application guidance available via LEO.
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👥 Skillnet Ireland – Funded Training for You and Your Team
One often-overlooked support in Business Grants Ireland 2025 is access to discounted training through Skillnet Ireland — a practical way to combine funding with upskilling, keeping your team competitive while maximising the benefits of the wider Business Grants Ireland 2025 ecosystem.
Save While You Upskill
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Subsidies of approximately 25%–40% off normal course fees (varies by network and location)
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Covers a wide range of skills development—from leadership and marketing to tech and finance
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Delivered through regional and industry-specific Skillnet networks tailored to local or sector needs
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Ideal for start-ups and SMEs seeking to invest in team upskilling cost-effectively
🌍 Back for Business – For Returning Irish Emigrants
A free peer-driven development programme funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs (Irish Abroad Unit), designed to support founders who have returned—or are planning to return—to Ireland.
Supportive Peer-to-Peer Programme
- Monthly mentoring via peer round-table sessions led by voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs
- Strategic planning workshops, networking, and supportive accountability
- Structured for entrepreneurs transitioning back to Ireland and cultivating early-stage ventures
- Runs over five to six months (e.g., February to June) with a launch forum at the start
🧑💻 Dogpatch Labs & First Fridays – Community for Startups
A modern startup hub located in Dublin’s Digital Docklands, Dogpatch Labs delivers a rich ecosystem of mentoring, workshops, networking, and exclusive perks—and also manages Ireland’s national NDRC accelerator programme, providing founder-first programming across the country.
First Fridays for Startups is Ireland’s largest monthly ecosystem event, hosted by Dogpatch and rotating through regional hubs. Founders receive curated 1:1 mentoring, attend expert panels and lightning talks, hear inspiring entrepreneurial stories, and often enjoy free hotdesking—all designed to connect mentors, founders, corporates, and investors across the island.
— Explore more at 🔗 dogpatchlabs.com
📚 How RizFin Helps You Stay Application-Ready
We don’t write grant applications — but we do ensure your books are always ready for Business Grants Ireland 2025 opportunities.
We Help You Prepare
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Your records kept tidy and Revenue-compliant
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Financial reports ready for funders, mentors, or lenders
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Guidance on what numbers matter when applying
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Peace of mind that you’re not scrambling last minute
🎯 Want Help Keeping Your Books Grant-Ready?
When it comes to Business Grants Ireland 2025 supports and funding opportunities, timing and organisation are everything.
We’ll help you:
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Keep clean, consistent financial records
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Build reports that align with grant or funding applications
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Plan for future growth with clear financial visibility