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

Priming grants may be available for sole traders, partnerships or limited companies that fulfil the following criteria:

• Located and operating within the LEO’s geographic area
• A business which on growth will fit the Enterprise Ireland portfolio
• A business employing up to 10 employees 
• A manufacturing or internationally traded services business 
• A domestically traded service business with the potential to trade internationally
• Need for money and having regard to deadweight and displacement 

Eligible clients may be awarded a Priming Grant within the first eighteen months of setting up the business.

The maximum Priming Grant payable shall be 50% of the investment or €150,000 whichever is the lesser.

Expenditure may be considered under the following headings:

• Capital items
• Salary costs
• Consultancy/Innovation/Marketing costs
• General overhead costs

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. Grants over €80,000 and up to €150,000 shall be the exception and shall only apply in the case of projects that clearly demonstrate a potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland.  In all other cases, the maximum grant shall be 50% of the investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser.  Subject to the 50% limit, a maximum grant of €15,000 per full time job created shall apply in respect of any employment support granted. 

Request Advice or Support with your Grant Application:

Do you need to speak to an advisor about your eligibility and suitability for grant funding? We have business advisors ready to assist you with any queries you may have about grant support.

Submit your request for support here.

Before Submitting your Application:

Participation in our Financial Projections briefing is recommended to ensure a robust funding application.

An essential element of any business loan, grant aid or third-party investment application is your company's financial projections. We are hosting an interactive information briefing to simplify this process for you and to ensure that you are in the best possible position to acquire business funding. The one-hour workshop will feature speakers from Kildare Local Enterprise Office and an expert financial consultant. 

These sessions take place monthly. You can book here.