Grow Digital Voucher Scheme

Local Enterprise Office - Grow Digital Voucher 2025

The Grow Digital Voucher provides financial support to small and medium-sized businesses (with up to 50 employees) to help them adopt digital technology. To qualify, a Digital for Business project report must have been completed within the last two years.

Key Benefits:

✅ Funding – Receive up to €5,000 for software, training, and IT configuration.
✅ Boost Efficiency – Streamline operations and improve productivity with digital tools.
✅ Expand Your Reach – Connect with more customers and grow your online presence.
✅ Stay Competitive – Leverage digital technology to remain competitive in your industry.

Funding Details:

Grants cover 50% of eligible costs, with a minimum grant of €500 and a maximum of €5,000 per application.
Businesses may receive up to two Grow Digital Vouchers, but the total funding cannot exceed €5,000.
Approval for a second voucher depends on demonstrated business progress as outlined in the Digital for Business report.
Funds must be used to support digital transformation initiatives.

This program is designed to help businesses embrace digitalisation and stay ahead in today’s digital-driven market.

Eligible Applicants

The Grow Digital Voucher is available to small enterprises (1–50 employees) that meet the following criteria:

✅ Completed a Digital for Business Project within the last two years.
✅ Not a current client of Enterprise Ireland or IDA.
✅ Established & Trading for at least six months, registered, and operating within the Local Enterprise Office area.
✅ Financially Solvent, as demonstrated by financial statements.
✅ Tax Compliant, with a valid Tax Reference Number and Tax Clearance Access Number for verification via Revenue’s online portal.

Who Can Apply?

Businesses (companies, self-employed individuals, or partnerships) whose trade or profession is taxable under Case I or II of Schedule D (TCA 1997, Section 18(2)).
PAYG (Pay As You Go) businesses are eligible.
Sporting bodies that would be taxable under Case I or II of Schedule D if not for a Section 235 TCA exemption.
Charities engaged in taxable trading activities, exempt under Section 208 TCA.

Definition of a Small Enterprise (EU SME Criteria)

A small enterprise is one with an annual turnover or balance sheet total of €10 million or less. When determining eligibility, businesses must consider the linked companies rule, which includes:

🔹 Autonomous Enterprise – No significant ownership (less than 25%) in or by another business.
🔹 Partner Enterprise – Holds 25%–50% of another company or vice versa; must include a proportional share of financials.
🔹 Linked Enterprise – Holds more than 50% of another business or is majority-owned; must include 100% of financials.

This regulation ensures that only genuinely small enterprises benefit from SME support programs, preventing larger businesses from gaining unfair advantages.

Ineligible Applicants

The following are not eligible for the Grow Digital Voucher:

Companies with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, and not-for-profit organizations (unless they meet the eligibility criteria).
Trade associations and company representation bodies (e.g., Chambers of Commerce).
Sporting bodies and non-commercial associations that do not meet the eligibility criteria.
Businesses operating in the coal or steel sector.
Companies involved in primary agriculture, fisheries, or aquaculture.
Businesses engaged in activities deemed ineligible or high-risk by Local Enterprise Offices, including:
- Gambling (as per the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956).
- Adult entertainment.
- Tobacco and related products.
- Unauthorized cannabis-based products.

📌 This list is not exhaustive, and Enterprise Ireland may update its policy. Any eligibility queries will be referred to the Enterprise Ireland Policy Department for assessment.

Eligible Expenditure

✅ 1. Software Subscription Fees
Funding is available for new business software subscriptions for up to one year, provided:

The software is new to the business (business must pay the full annual subscription before grant payment).
It is an off-the-shelf solution (custom/bespoke software is ineligible).
Expanding existing software licenses is not eligible.

Examples of eligible software:

E-commerce platforms
Website development (must be subscription-based; bespoke development is not supported)
Customer relationship management (CRM) software
Online booking, payment, or appointment systems
Job tracking & field service management software
Order management & stock control software
Industry-specific cloud SaaS solutions
Workflow & field management software
E-invoicing & electronic signature software
Standard office software (if not already in use)
Cybersecurity software
Cloud-based accounting & payroll software (if transitioning to cloud systems)
3D modeling & building information modeling (BIM) software
Analytics & AI-powered software

✅ 2. Training & IT Configuration
Support is available for:

Software setup & integration by experts.
Training for staff to effectively use and maintain new digital tools.

📌 Training & configuration costs cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost.

Ineligible Expenditure

❌ Custom or bespoke software (not eligible for grant support).
❌ Regulatory compliance systems.