Local Enterprise Office Laois provides a range of financial supports designed to assist with the establishment and/or growth of enterprises (limited company, individuals/sole trader, and partnerships) employing up to ten people.
Priority will be given to businesses in manufacturing, internationally traded services, and domestically traded services with the potential to trade internationally.
In some cases, depending on certain eligibility criteria, businesses with 10 employees or more may be eligible.
The main financial supports include Feasibility Study Grants; Priming Grants; Expansion Grants; Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) and Trading Online Vouchers. All grants are subject to eligibility criteria/terms & conditions.
Feasibility Study Grants
Feasibility Study Grants are designed to assist the promoter with researching market demand for a product or service and examining its sustainability.
It includes assistance with innovation including specific consultancy requirements, hiring of expertise from third level colleges, private specialists, design, and prototype development. The maximum feasibility study grant payable is 60% of proposed costs (net of VAT) or €15,000, whichever is lesser.
Priming Grant
A Priming Grant is a business startup grant, available to micro enterprises, within the first 18 months of start-up. Expenditure may be considered for capital items, salary costs, consultancy, innovation and marketing costs and general overhead costs.
The maximum priming grant payable is 50% of eligible costs (net of VAT) or €80,000, whichever is the lesser.
Business Expansion Grants
Business Expansion Grants are designed to assist the business in its growth phase after the initial 18-month start-up period.
Expenditure may be considered for capital items, salary costs, consultancy, innovation, marketing costs and general overhead costs.
The maximum business expansion grant payable is 50% of eligible costs (net of VAT) or €80,000 whichever is lesser.
Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) Grants
Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) Grants enables clients to explore and develop new market opportunities.
The TAME grant part-funds the costs that can be incurred 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 in any calendar year.
Trading Online Voucher
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is designed to assist small businesses trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets.
It offers financial assistance of a max of €2,500 or 50% of eligible costs (net of VAT) whichever is lesser, along with training and advice to help businesses trade online.
Further information
For more details on any of the above and other Local Enterprise Office supports log onto www.localenterprise.ie/laois or contact us directly on 057 86 61800 or email localenterprise@laoiscoco.ie to discuss your individual needs.
Terms and Conditions apply to all grants.
SEE ALSO – ‘LEO Laois are fantastic … it’s no exaggeration to say we wouldn’t be where we are without them’
