GROW DIGITAL DUBLIN

Important Considerations for the Grow Digital Voucher

The Grow Digital Voucher is a powerful tool to support small enterprises in their digital transformation journey. However, it’s vital to understand the key eligibility requirements, funding rules, and potential exclusions before applying. This guide highlights the most important aspects to consider.

Eligibility Overview

To qualify for the Grow Digital Voucher, your business must meet these criteria:

  1. Enterprise Type:

    • Be a small enterprise with between 1 and 50 paid employees.
    • Have an annual turnover or balance sheet total of €10 million or less.

  2. Trading and Registration:

    • Your business must be established, registered, and trading for at least six months within the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) area.

  3. Digital Readiness:

    • You must have completed a Digital for Business Project within the past two years.

  4. Financial Stability:

    • Your business must be solvent, with supporting financial statements to demonstrate this.

  5. Tax Compliance:

    • You must hold a valid tax clearance from Revenue and provide both your Tax Reference Number and Tax Clearance Access Number for verification.

  6. Client Status:

    • Businesses currently engaging with Enterprise Ireland or IDA are not eligible.

Exclusions to Be Aware Of

Certain businesses, activities, and costs are ineligible for the Grow Digital Voucher, including:

  • Business Types:

    • Companies with charitable status or those operating in the coal, steel, agriculture, fishery, or aquaculture sectors.
    • Non-commercial organisations, trade associations, or chambers of commerce.
    • Businesses involved in activities posing reputational risks, including:
      • Gambling or gaming industries.
      • Adult entertainment.
      • Tobacco-related products.
      • Cannabis products not authorised as medicines.

  • Costs That Do Not Qualify:

    • Custom or bespoke software.
    • Regulatory compliance systems.
    • Expanding licenses for software already in use.

Eligible Costs

Funding is provided for software and services that are new to the business, with a focus on digital transformation.

1. Software Subscription Fees

  • Must cover off-the-shelf software for up to one year.
  • Examples of eligible software include:
    • E-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify).
    • CRM tools (e.g., HubSpot).
    • Cloud accounting solutions (e.g., Xero).
    • Cybersecurity software (e.g., Norton, if new to the business).
    • Online booking, payment, or appointment systems.
    • Analytics platforms, including AI-driven tools.
    • Industry-specific cloud SaaS solutions.

2. Training and IT Configuration

  • Support for setup and integration of new software systems.
  • Training for staff or management to ensure ease of use and maximise benefits.
  • Note: The combined costs for training and configuration cannot exceed 50% of the total project costs.

Funding Details

  • Grant Amount: Covers 50% of eligible costs.

    • Minimum grant: €500.
    • Maximum grant: €5,000 per application.

  • De Minimis Aid:

    • This scheme falls under EU De Minimis rules, limiting the total State Aid a business can receive to €200,000 over three fiscal years.

Key Recommendation

Before applying, we highly recommend consulting with a Grow Digital Expert. They can provide personalised advice to ensure you maximise the voucher’s potential and achieve the best results for your business in the shortest timeframe. This guidance will help you prepare a strong application and avoid unnecessary delays.

Take the Next Step

Find out how ready your business is for digitalisation by completing a 5-minute digital assessment. This free tool provides a bespoke scorecard with actionable recommendations to guide your journey.

For more information and to start your application process, contact your Local Enterprise Office today: https://www.localenterprise.ie.

This page is structured to provide a concise yet thorough overview while encouraging applicants to consult an expert and assess their readiness before proceeding.