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061 557499

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Limerick

...Making It Happen

Priming Grant

A Priming Grant is a business start-up grant available to micro enterprises within the first 18 months of start-up.

What Rules Apply?

  • The maximum Priming Grant payable must not exceed 50% of the investment up to a maximum amount of €75,000 excluding VAT.
  • Grants over € 80,000 up to €150,000 may be awarded in exceptional cases, where projects clearly demonstrate the potential to graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio / export internationally.
  • Eligible costs include: Capital items, Salary Costs, Rental/Accommodation Costs, Utility Costs, Marketing Costs, Consultancy Costs, and Business Specific Training.
  • A maximum grant of up to €15,000 per full time job will apply to high value jobs attracting over €40k salary. Appropriately scaled back grants will be offered in accordance with proposed salary for lower paid positions.

How Do I Apply?

If you are interested in applying for a Priming  Grant you should firstly check the  to see if your business qualifies for funding (if you are unsure please contact us directly on 061 557499 or email localenterprise@limerick.ie). Applications are considered on a case by case basis.

Before submitting an application, you will need to complete a Grant Expression of Interest Application so we can assess your needs. A member of our staff will be in contact with you to discuss the next steps.

Click here to complete Grant Expression of Interest Application.

 

2025 - Relevant Dates for submission of LEO Limerick Projects:

 

Step 1 - Eligibility for funding - only certain types of business are eligible for grants. If you are receiving certain types of other state aid you are not eligible for funding (PLEASE READ IN DETAIL)

  • Please note, it is essential to fully investigate the Eligibility Requirements of these grants before applying.
  • Financial assistance is for businesses with manufacturing or a potential to export its products and/or services. If you have any queries please contact us to discuss your application (Tel: 061 557499).
  • Local Enterprise Office Limerick can offer funding to start-ups or established small businesses which:
    • Operate from Limerick City & County
    • Have less than 10 employees. We fund sole traders as well as partnerships and limited companies  
    • Operate in the areas of:
      • Manufacturing (including software development) and/or
      • Internationally Traded Services  (i.e. businesses which export or which have the real potential to do so). We also fund businesses whose activities attract tourism to Ireland
      • Retailers (eg. coffee shops) and localservices are NOT eligible for any funding 
  • If you are meet the support criteria Finance is available for qualifying projects by way of grants and repayable loans.
  • Your grant application and approval should be before you incur any costs or before you hire a new employee (in the case of employment grants).  
  • A business availing of JOPBSPLUS cannot receive aid from other State sources for the employment costs of that same employee. Applicants are  not eligible to claim both JOBSPLUS and Priming or Business Development grants for the same employee salaries. If applying subsequently to LEO Limerick after receiving JOBSPLUS, the JOBSPLUS aid must be declared .

Step 2 - Develop Your Business Plan

  • The Local Enterprise Office offers a range of business seminars for exploring your business idea and 'Start Your Own Business' training courses that help you develop your Business Plan and financial projections.
  • Once you have a Draft Business Plan it is useful to get some feedback. You might consider applying for the Local Enterprise Office Mentor Programme to help prepare your application.

Step 3 - Other Sources of Finance for Your Small Business

Step 4 - Grant Process (Read step 1 above)

  • If you have applied for Enterprise Ireland or have received Enterprise Ireland funding/ Innovation Voucher or JobPlus funding you will need to declare this. This excludes you from receiving Local Enterprise Office funding. We double check but this saves us time.
  • Please note we can only accept a limited number of applications per round. It is advisable not to wait until the deadline day to submit your application. Any applications which are submitted after our quota has been reached will be put forward to the next round.
  • Please note that businesses assisted from Local Enterprise Office are considered; ‘beneficiaries of aid under the 07-13 ROP and must accept their inclusion in the list of beneficiaries published in accordance with point (d) of Article 7(2) of the Implementation Regulation’

To register your interest in applying for Grant Aid please complete the Expression of Interest Form

2025 - Relevant Dates for submission of LEO Limerick Projects

 

Final Dates for Submission to LEO                                 Evaluation and Approval Panel Meeting Date   

Friday January 31st                                                            Tuesday February 25th

Friday March 21st                                                             Tuesday April 15th

Friday 23rd May                                                                  Tuesday June 17th

Friday 27th June                                                                  Tuesday July 22nd

Friday 5th September                                                        Tuesday 30th September

Friday 31st October                                                           Tuesday November 25th

 

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