Irish Digital Business Supports in 2026 — Check the Current Rules
Quick answer: A fact-checked guide to Grow Digital and Digital for Business, including what they support, what they exclude and why businesses must confirm eligibility with their Local Enterprise Office before spending.
Answer Summary
This page previously grouped older and current schemes too loosely. The reliable current path is to begin with Digital for Business through the Local Enterprise Office. If the resulting report identifies qualifying new off-the-shelf software, the business may then apply for Grow Digital before incurring expenditure.
Why should you verify the scheme before requesting quotes?
Programme names and rules change. Never treat an old article, supplier claim or previous voucher as proof that a current project is eligible. Use the national Local Enterprise Office guidance and discuss the project with the office serving the area where the enterprise operates.
What is Digital for Business?
Digital for Business is an advisory project that reviews a company's existing systems, identifies gaps and creates an implementation plan. Completing this project within the previous two years is a mandatory condition for Grow Digital. The advisory support itself is not a €9,000 grant. Applications should be discussed directly with the Local Enterprise Office.
Grant 2 — Grow Digital Voucher
Grow Digital supports eligible small enterprises implementing software needs identified through Digital for Business. Detail Figure ------ Maximum grant €5,000 Match funding required 50% Administered by Local Enterprise Office Required first step Digital for Business completed within two years It does not cover bespoke website development, custom software, SEO, advertising, routine upgrades or expenditure incurred before the application is received.
- Trading at least 6 months
- Between 1 and 50 paid employees under the applicable small-enterprise definition
- Current tax clearance and evidence of solvency
- Not currently an Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland client
- Completed Digital for Business within the previous two years
- New off-the-shelf business software subscriptions, normally for up to one year
- Qualifying CRM, accounting, payroll, stock, booking, analytics, AI or e-commerce software
- Related IT configuration and training, together limited to 50% of project cost
What should you do next?
1. Contact the Local Enterprise Office serving your business location. 2. Complete Digital for Business and review its recommendations. 3. Identify qualifying off-the-shelf software rather than bespoke services. 4. Submit the requested documents before incurring expenditure.
How Digital Bridge helps with grant applications
Digital Bridge can explain a proposed technical scope, but cannot decide eligibility, promise funding or present bespoke services as voucher-approved. The Local Enterprise Office makes that decision.
Important caveats
- Grant criteria change every budget — always check the LEO/Enterprise Ireland page before applying.
- You cannot start the work before written approval. Doing so disqualifies the entire application.
- All three grants are reimbursement-based — you pay first, the grant pays you back.
- Each grant is once-per-business (with some exceptions for second-stage upgrades).
What does the current Grow Digital Voucher support?
Grow Digital provides 50% grant aid of for qualifying new off-the-shelf business software and limited related configuration or training. A completed Digital for Business project is required. Bespoke websites, custom software, SEO and advertising are excluded.
How do I apply for the Grow Digital Voucher in Ireland?
Sign up for the free 2-hour 'Trading Online' webinar with your Local Enterprise Office, gather two quotes from approved suppliers in the LEO-required format, submit the application via your county's LEO portal, and wait for written approval before any work begins. After project completion you submit receipts and the LEO refunds 50% up to
Can I apply for more than one Irish digital grant in the same year?
Generally no — most schemes are once-per-business. However, a business can move up the ladder: complete a Grow Digital Voucher project, then 12–18 months later apply for the Grow Digital Voucher for a larger upgrade. The Digital for Business grant from Enterprise Ireland is a separate scheme and is sometimes available in parallel for larger SMEs.
How long does a Grow Digital application take?
Processing times vary by Local Enterprise Office. Ask the office serving your business for its current estimate and do not incur expenditure before the application is received.
Can Digital Bridge approve my Grow Digital application?
No. Only the relevant Local Enterprise Office can decide applicant and expenditure eligibility. Digital Bridge can explain a technical scope but cannot guarantee funding or label bespoke work as voucher-approved.
Do I have to pay the full project cost upfront before the grant pays me back?
Yes. All three Irish digital grants are reimbursement-based — you pay the supplier in full, then submit receipts and the grant body refunds the agreed percentage (50% for the TOV and Grow Digital, 80% for Digital for Business). Digital Bridge offers staged payment plans on grant-funded projects to ease the cashflow.
What happens next
You get a reply from Joey Bray the same working day. You get a fixed written quote within 48 hours — one price, one delivery date. Work starts only when you have signed the scope, with 50% up front and 50% at launch. Starting prices: Brochure from €1,200, Growth from €2,500, Authority from €4,250, Custom from €5,000, E-commerce from €6,000, AI integration from €2,500, SEO from €650 a month. All prices are ex-VAT starting points.
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