Grow Digital Voucher details from Local Enterprise Ireland
The Grow Digital Voucher offers small and medium businesses with up to 50 employees financial support to ’embrace digital technology’. It is offered based on a Digital for Business Project report completed within the previous two years :
Qualification: Businesses that have been established and trading for at least 6 months. And which operates in an area covered by a Local Enterprise Office. See list of qualifying business categories here.
Funding: Of 50% of eligible costs or up to €5,000 to invest in software and training/IT configuration. “Grant covering 50% of eligible costs (minimum grant of €500 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) limited to new software subscriptions for a period of 12 months (e.g., e-commerce, CRM, accounting) and training and configuration of the software (limited to 50% of software purchase cost)“
Boost Efficiency: Streamline operations and enhance productivity with new digital tools.
Reach New Customers: Expand your reach and connect with a wider audience online.
Stay Competitive: Bridge the digital gap and compete effectively in today’s marketplace.
Funding will be in the form of a grant. The grant aid will be 50% of eligible costs with minimum grant aid of €500 up to a maximum grant of €5,000 per application. Enterprises can be approved a maximum of two Grow Digital Voucher projects up to a maximum cumulative grant value of €5,000 as identified in their Digital for Business project to support their Digitalisation journey.
Approval of a second Grow Digital Voucher is dependent on the demonstrated achievement of the progression of the business as outlined in the Digital for Business report. Allowable expenditure will be towards supporting the Digitalisation progression of the applicant.
Local Enterprise Ireland. Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment . National Enterprise Hub
Eligible applicants for Grow Digital Voucher
The Grow Digital Voucher is open to small enterprises (with between 1 and 50 paid employees) who:
- have completed a Digital for Business Project within the previous two years.
- are not currently clients of Enterprise Ireland or IDA.
- are established and trading for at least 6 months, registered, and operate within the area of the Local Enterprise Office.
- are solvent as demonstrated in the financial statements supplied.
- An enterprise will be eligible to apply to the Scheme where it is a company, self-employed individual or partnership carrying on a trade or profession, the profits of which are chargeable to tax under Case I or Case II of Schedule D by virtue of section 18(2) of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 (TCA). Pay As You Go (PAYG) customers are within the scope of the scheme.
- Sporting bodies that carry on activities which would be chargeable to tax under Case I or II of Schedule D but for an exemption set out in section 235 TCA are eligible to apply to the scheme.
- Charities that carry on activities that would be chargeable to tax as trading income, but for an available tax exemption under section 208 TCA, are also included within the scope of the scheme.
- Businesses must have current tax clearance from Revenue. Businesses must supply a Tax Reference Number and a Tax Clearance Access Number to allow for verification of their Tax Clearance status on Revenue’s online portal.
Ineligible Applicants for Grow Digital Voucher
- Companies with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, “not for profit” organisations – which do not meet the above criteria, trade associations, company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce, Sporting Bodies – which do not meet the above criteria and other non-commercial bodies or associations are not eligible to avail of the Small Capital Grants.Are operating in the coal or steel sector.
Are active in the primary agricultural, fishery or aquaculture sectors. - Are involved in activities that Local Enterprise Offices considers as ineligible or as involving an unacceptable reputational risk. Ineligible activities include activities relating to:
1. The gambling sector, including ‘gaming’ (as defined in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956).
Adult entertainment.
2. Tobacco and tobacco related products.
3. Cannabis-based products which are not authorised as medicines. - Note: This is not an exhaustive list and Enterprise Ireland has a dynamic policy position on several activities. Any queries in relation to the eligibility of an activity will be directed to the Enterprise Ireland Policy department who will assess the case.
Eligible Expenditure with Grow Digital Voucher
1. Software subscription fees
- for eligible business software that is NEW to the business for a maximum of one year subscription (the business must incur the annual subscription cost before the grant can be paid).
- that are “off the shelf”.
- expanding on the number of existing software licenses for software systems already in use does not qualify.
Eligible software examples include:
- E-commerce software
- Software for customer relationship management
- Online booking, payments or appointments
- Job tracking including field service management software.
- Order management or stock control software
- Industry specific cloud SaaS software (where new to the company)
- Field management or workflow management software
- Electronic invoicing or electronic signature software
- Standard office software (for email, documents, spreadsheets, etc.) where not already in use by the company
- Cyber security software (if new to the company)
- Cloud based accounting or payroll software (if moving to the cloud for these systems)
- 3D modelling software (including building information modelling)
- Analytics software (including AI systems)
2. Training and/or IT Configuration
Where the business requires expert assistance in the set up; and/or integration of new software systems or ICT processes or where the business management or team require training to engage with/maintain the new system to allow for ease of use and to garner most benefit for the business. (Training and Configuration amount combined can be no more than 50% of the software subscription fees).
Ineligible Expenditure with Grow Digital Voucher funding
- Custom or bespoke software is not eligible for grant support.
- Systems for regulatory compliance do not qualify.
Source https://www.localenterprise.ie/Portal/Growdigital/WHO-IS-ELIGIBLE-/WHO-IS-ELIGIBLE-.html
GROW DIGITAL VOUCHER FAQS
How do you apply for a Grow Digital Voucher?
All applications for Grow Digital Voucher should be discussed with your Local Enterprise Office. Find your local office at https://www.localenterprise.ie
How does the funding work for the Grow Digital Voucher?
Funding will be in the form of a grant. The grant aid will be 50% of eligible costs with minimum grant aid of €500 up to a maximum grant of €5,000 per application. Enterprises can be approved a maximum of two Grow Digital Voucher projects up to a maximum cumulative grant value of €5,000 as identified in their Digital for Business project to support their Digitalisation journey. Approval of a second Grow Digital Voucher is dependent on the demonstrated achievement of the progression of the business as outlined in the Digital for Business report. Allowable expenditure will be towards supporting the Digitalisation progression of the applicant.
Where do you find contact details for your Local Enterprise office to apply for the Grow Digital Voucher?
See the map of the offices or see the list at https://www.localenterprise.ie/Find-Your-Local-Enterprise-Office/
What is the Grow Digital Voucher and who is eligible for it?
The Grow Digital Voucher offers small and medium-sized businesses financial support to adopt digital technology. To qualify, businesses must have completed a “Digital for Business Project” within the last two years, have 1 to 50 employees, be established and trading for at least 6 months, and operate in an area covered by a Local Enterprise Office. They must also demonstrate solvency through financial statements.
What does the Grow Digital Voucher cover?
The voucher covers 50% of eligible costs, ranging from a minimum of €500 to a maximum of €5,000. Eligible expenses include software subscription fees (new to the business) for up to one year and training or IT configuration costs associated with the new software. Software examples include e-commerce platforms, CRM, job tracking, cloud-based accounting, and cybersecurity tools.
What is not covered by the Grow Digital Voucher?
Ineligible expenditures include custom or bespoke software, systems for regulatory compliance, and expanding existing software licenses. Sectors like gambling, adult entertainment, and tobacco-related businesses are also ineligible, as are businesses in primary agriculture or fishing industries.
How many times can a business apply for the Grow Digital Voucher?
A business can be approved for a maximum of two projects under the Grow Digital Voucher scheme, with a cumulative grant value of up to €5,000. Approval of the second application is based on demonstrated progress as outlined in the “Digital for Business” report.
Can you help my business with the Grow Digital Voucher?
MEANit has extensive experience in helping businesses embrace digital tools effectively. With guidance from experts like Michael MacGinty, businesses in Dublin, Donegal and across Ireland can streamline the process of applying for the Grow Digital Voucher. MEANit offers tailored advice to help you make the most of the grant and boost your digital capabilities. As an agency we have helped firms avail of and get the most form the TOV grant since its inception in 2015, so yes we have the experience needed to make the most of these grants for you.
