Scheme Overview
The Trading Online Grant (TOV) Scheme assists small businesses to trade online. Eligible businesses can apply for a voucher to invest in developing their eCommerce capability, of up to €2,500.
An Evaluation team which includes an external business mentor from the LEO Fingal Mentor panel will assess your application. Please note that the business mentor may contact you directly regarding your TOV application.
- TOV match-funding is 50%
- LEO Fingal will only accept online TOV applications following attendance at a mandatory information webinar. Further instructions below.
- If you have previously availed of the Trading Online Grant Scheme, you can reapply to further improve your online trading capability.
Eligibility Criteria
- Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any expense
- Own labour is not an eligible expense
- Third party costs only will be considered
- All third party/supplier invoices must contain proper business details (e.g. Tax and Business Registration details).
Eligible Projects
- Limited or no e-commerce presence
- no more than 10 employees;
- less than €2m in turnover;
- be trading for at least 6 months and
- be located in Fingal
Ineligible Projects
- Ineligible categories of businesses. Please read and confirm if you are excluded from applying
- Companies with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, trade associations and company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce are not eligible to participate in the scheme
- "Not for profit" and social entrepreneurship applicants unless they operate in a commercial domain
- Professional services specialising in IT type services who are already capable of trading online using existing in-house systems
- Conferences and Seminars
- Projects which are contrary to public policy
- Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies of EU funded Operational Programmes
- Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without scheme assistance i.e. deadweight
- Projects essentially comprising importation and distribution
What the vouchers can be used for
- IT consultation
- Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
- Implementing online payments or booking systems
- Purchase of internet related software
- Purchase of online advertising (this purchase cannot make up any more than 30% of approved Voucher costs and can only be drawn down in one payment phase)
- Developing an app (or multiplatform webpages)
- Implementing a digital marketing strategy i.e. Social media marketing
- Consultation with ICT experts for early-stage adopters of online strategy
- Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity
What the vouchers cannot be used for
- Development of brochure websites (i.e websites with no e-commerce facility)
- Purchase of non-internet related software
- Anything other than online trading related activity
How To Apply
NB: It is compulsory to attend a webinar in order to apply. Please check the bookings page regularly for the latest TOV webinar dates.
Once you have attended (and signed the online form received during the webinar as proof of attendance) LEO Fingal will be in touch with slides from the webinar and the application link.
Online Applications ONLY will be accepted.
If you have already attended a webinar, received the application link, and started your online application, we would encourage you to complete your draft application and submit online without delay.
Please visit this page regularly for important updates about the TOV scheme and register on the LEO Fingal homepage to receive our newsletter so you will be first to learn about supports to business.
Please contact us for any further information on the "Trading Online Vouchers".
Thank you.
Website Development Guide.pdf (size 4.8 MB)