Priming Grant

Priming Grant

A Priming Grant is a business start-up grant available to qualifying small businesses within the first 18 months of start-up.

The maximum Priming Grant payable shall be 50% of the investment or €100,000 whichever is the lesser.

All grants of a value greater than or equal to €50,000 or with a cumulative value of €100,000 over three years require Enterprise Ireland Approval.

In exceptional circumstances, grants over €100,000 and up to €150,000 for projects that clearly demonstrate a potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland may be considered.

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

A Priming Grant may be available for sole traders, partnerships, community groups or limited companies established within the last 18 months.

The following criteria apply:

The Business must be located within Galway city or county
A business employing up to 10 employees
A manufacturing or internationally traded services business
A domestically traded services business with the potential to trade internationally
A domestically traded services business being established by a female returning to the workforce or unemployed persons where the potential for deadweight and displacement does not exist

What expenditure is eligible under the Priming Grant?

Capital Items

Capital items include fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, computer costs, hardware and software etc. (Note: Acquisition of building and purchase of mobile assets are excluded from grant aid).

Salary Costs

For 1st year of employment this to be paid out in two installments. The first installment at the commencement of employment and the second installment once the employment has continued in existence for a period of six months. The level of grant support should reflect the salary scale proposed for the employment being generated. It is anticipated that only quality jobs attracting salaries in excess of €40,000 will be eligible for the maximum €10,000 grant support with appropriately scaled back grants offered in accordance with proposed salary for lower paid positions. Staff recruitment costs may also be considered eligible for grant aid.

Rental/Accommodation Costs

For 1st year of project. (Note: where rental space is already subsidised by an investment of public funds then grant support should reflect the differential between the market rate and subsidised rate). Rental costs may be paid up front subject to receipt by the Board of signed lease/rental agreements.

Marketing Costs

These include packaging, brochures, business cards, trade fairs, website design and development and other marketing initiatives.

Business Specific Training

Costs here refer to specialised management or key personnel training programmes that are required to ensure the growth of the business. Such courses should not be generally available under the Board's general training programmes.

How can I apply for the Priming Grant?

CLICK HERE FOR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR LEO FINANCIAL SUPPORTS

Galway