Small business grants and loans in Ireland, and who can really get them
Grants for new businesses and established ones, loans and start-up money. Most State money for business is only for manufacturing, exporting and technology firms. We show every scheme, say plainly whether a shop, cafe, trade or local service can get it, and point you to what you can use instead.
- 69 guides checked against official sources
- All 26 counties
- Independent, no commission from anyone
Start here
The honest picture
Other sites list every scheme as if every business could apply. Most cannot. This is how it really divides.
Mostly closed to local businesses
What is open in your county?
What is open in your county?
Pick a county to see its Local Enterprise Office, what the council itself offers and the next closing date.
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Closed, paused or changing
Old schemes stay in search results for years. These are the ones people still look for, and where each one stands.
- Changing
SBCI loans: what is open now. The main loan scheme ended on 30 June 2026. Its replacement has not opened.
- Changing
Raising money with tax relief (EII and SCI). Shares must be issued on or before 31 December 2026, unless Budget 2027 extends the scheme.
- Changing
NDRC and the national accelerator. NDRC investment applications are closed. The replacement National Accelerator Programme has not opened to founders.
- Changing
Corporation tax relief for new companies. The company must start its trade on or before 31 December 2026, unless Budget 2027 extends the relief.
- Changing
Start-Up Refunds for Entrepreneurs (SURE). Shares must be issued on or before 31 December 2026, unless Budget 2027 extends the relief.
- Closed
Increased Cost of Business grant (closed). Closed. Registration ended on 29 May 2024.
- Closed
Power Up grant (closed). Closed. Registration ended on 22 November 2024.
- Closed
Trading Online Voucher (closed). Closed to new applications since 5pm on Friday 13 December 2024.
- Closed
Flender. No way to apply on flender.ie since March 2025. Flender has not said why.
- Closed
Competitive Start Fund (closed). No call since March 2022. Enterprise Ireland launched the Pre-Seed Start Fund in October 2022.
Need a business plan and cashflow?
The enterprise allowances, Microfinance Ireland, the banks and the credit unions all ask for the same two things: a business plan and a 12-month cashflow. You can build the cashflow yourself with the tool below, at no cost. If you want us to write the business plan and prepare the whole application for you, that is our paid plan pack, €99.
Build your 12-month cashflow, free
Every lender and the Department of Social Protection ask for one. Put in your figures and see the year month by month.
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Common questions
Are there grants for starting a business in Ireland?
Some, but fewer than people expect. The Local Enterprise Office cash grants are for manufacturing and exporting businesses with up to 10 staff. If you are on a jobseeker's payment, the two enterprise allowances let you keep your payment while you start. For most other new local businesses the realistic help is a Microfinance Ireland or credit union loan, free training and mentoring, and your council's own schemes.
Can a shop, cafe or trade get a business grant?
Not the main cash grants. Those exclude businesses that only sell to local customers. A local business can usually get the Grow Digital Voucher, the Energy Efficiency Grant, a council shop front grant or rates incentive where one exists, employer supports when it hires, and a State-backed loan.
Is GrantHub part of the government?
No. We are an independent guide. We read the official pages, explain them in plain English and say when a scheme has closed. Always confirm the detail on the official page before you apply.
Do you take commission from lenders?
No. We are not a lender or a broker, we do not pass your details to anyone, and we take no commission or payment from any lender or scheme.
What do you charge for?
The guides and tools are free. The business plan pack costs €99, one-off. From your answers we prepare the business plan and 12-month cashflow that an allowance or loan application asks for, and for Microfinance Ireland we fill in the application form too. You see your cashflow free before you pay.