The LEO Priming Grant supports new micro-enterprises in their first 18 months of trading. It covers up to 50% of the investment, to a maximum of €80,000 — or up to €150,000 in exceptional cases where the project clearly has the potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland or export internationally.
Eligible costs include salary costs for new employees (the founder can count; up to €15,000 per full-time job created), capital items such as equipment and fit-out, consultancy, innovation costs and marketing. Most LEOs require the project to create at least one new full-time paid job and the business to have paying customers. The business should be in manufacturing or internationally traded services, or have the potential to trade internationally.
Apply through your county Local Enterprise Office, which will assess eligibility first. Free mentoring and training are also available, and grants depend on LEO budgets.
Micro-enterprises (up to 10 employees) in their first 18 months of trading. Manufacturing or internationally traded services, or potential to trade internationally. Must be in the LEO's geographic area. Apply through your local LEO.