Ecommerce grants available from Leo and Enterprise Ireland
As businesses remain shuttered owing to Covid-19 restrictions, hundreds of producers and store owners have moved their offerings online, many for the first time.
One of the responses we have seen to how people are approaching this period of isolation and uncertainty is in huge overnight changes to their shopping behaviors. From bulk-buying to online shopping, people are changing what they are buying, when, and how.
As more cities are under lockdowns, nonessential businesses are being ordered to close, and customers are generally avoiding public places. Limiting shopping for all but necessary essentials is becoming a new normal. Brands are having to adapt and be flexible to meet changing needs.
Is your store ready to move online fast?
Emarkable wants to help. We can provide not only the platform on which to quickly launch your online store and stabilise your business, but also the resources and tools you need to make the process as smooth as possible.
We have listed some supports below that may help financially with the process.
Emarkable can help you with the application process – talk to us today
Typical elements involved in
developing a sophisticated and transactional online presence include
Research
In-depth analysis of the company’s current and potential online presence and capabilities, target audience and brand. This research should help the applicant make informed decisions about e.g. optimisation of online marketing channels, web functionality, payment systems specification, catalogue presentation, supply chain management, consolidated inventory systems, order fulfilment and consumer experience.
Strategy development
- Development of a written digital strategy and a roadmap for implementation including resource and business process considerations,
- Identifying how the company’s value proposition should be demonstrated online, what aspects should be emphasised and how best to present this to online customers,
- Ensuring that the company’s online presence is being fully utilised / optimised to fulfil its overall potential, supporting the overall business strategy,
- Consideration of omnichannel offering (including marketplaces and social media).
Implementation
- Optimising the company’s online presence to ensure domestic and international visibility (e.g. web enhancement and localisation, associated business process enhancements, search engine optimisation etc.),
- Enhancing related “back end” systems (e.g. product presentation, supply chain management, systems integration to improve consumer experience etc.).
Trading Online Voucher Scheme
up to €2,500 Ecommerce grants available
Grow your business online with help through the Government’s National Digital Strategy. The expanded Trading Online Voucher Scheme is designed to assist small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. Participating in this scheme can make the process of trading online much easier for you.
It offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 with co-funding of 10% from the business along with training and advice to help your business trade online. Cutting the cost of developing your online trading capacity by up to 90% can make this investment very affordable for many small businesses out there.*
Making informed decisions is vital for all business, so the free help and training provided by your local enterprise office in the delivery of this scheme puts you in a position to decide what is best for your business. The training sessions cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation. The information provided is impartial and will help you decide on what trading online options, are right for your business.
Businesses that have already received a Trading Online Voucher can now apply for a second voucher, where upgrades are required.
Funding can be used towards adding payment facilities or booking systems to your website or developing new apps for your customers. The voucher can also be used towards subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions, to help companies quickly establish a retailing presence online.
The vouchers are targeted at businesses with the following profile:
- Limited or no Ecommerce presence,
- 10 or less employees,
- Turnover less than €2m,
- Applicant business must be trading for at least 6 Months**,
- Business must be located in the area covered by the LEO to whom they make their application i.e. LEOs cannot accept applications from businesses located outside their jurisdiction.
- Previous voucher recipients may apply for a second voucher
**applicant business must provide clear proof of trading for a minimum of 6 months to their Local Enterprise Office
Further eligibility, terms and conditions apply.
Business Continuity Voucher
Open for applications
The new Business Continuity Voucher, available through Local Enterprise Offices, is designed for businesses across every sector that employ up to 50 people.
The voucher is worth up to €2,500 in third party consultancy costs and can be used by companies and sole traders to develop short-term and long-term strategies to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The goal is to help companies make informed decisions about what immediate measures and remedial actions should be taken, to protect staff and sales.
If your application is successful, a qualified expert will be selected by your Local Enterprise Office to work with you on your business continuity plans. The value of this service is up to a maximum of €2,500.
More InformationCovid-19 Business Response
The Covid-19 pandemic has created severe challenges for Irish businesses with significant job losses, worldwide disruption and an uncertain road ahead. Enterprise Ireland is responding to the current global crisis by working with Irish exporters to help them avail of business response supports recently unveiled by the Government. These supports are designed to help businesses stabilise and adapt to the evolving situation, in preparation for getting back on the road to recovery.
See https://globalambition.ie/covid-19/ for details of the business response support available from enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland has a range of other supports for companies which are being impacted by Covid-19.
Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme
The Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme are Ecommerce grants for retail companies with greater than 10 employees to develop a more competitive online offer. As part of the Government’s response to supporting enterprises impacted by Covid-19, a new call for applications under the Online Retail Scheme will be introduced urgently by Enterprise Ireland.
This competitive call has a budget of €5 million. Successful applicants will receive funding support of up to 80% of project costs, with maximum Ecommerce grants of €40,000.
More InformationFunding for an e-Marketing Improvement Assignment
Under Enterprise Ireland’s Business Process Improvement Grant client companies can apply for Ecommerce grants to undertake an e-Marketing Improvement Assignment. This support is designed to assist senior managers in client companies to maximise the opportunities presented by the Internet as a business development channel. Through the use of one-to-one training and action-based learning, consultants/trainers will work with clients to plan and implement significant strategic e-marketing projects. Interested applicants must contact their Enterprise Ireland Adviser to discuss.
Download the eMarketing Brochure for more information on eligible activities
Are you eligible for these Ecommerce grants?
Emarkable can help you with the application process – talk to us today.
