Trading Online Vouchers

Grants of max. €2,500 available to help micro-enterprises develop their website or digital strategy. 

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Please note Trading Online Voucher Scheme Closing Date

 

The final closing date for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme is 5pm on Friday 13th of December 2024.

This is your last chance to secure funding through the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. Only completed applications received by this date will be put forward for approval.

Trading Online Vouchers Initiative Rules

Terms

  • Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (Net of VAT), whichever is the lesser
  • 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).
  • There is no LEO discretion in respect of NACE code eligibility for applicants who complete a webinar/mentoring session on or after the 8th February 2021.
  • There are categories of business excluded from the Trading Online Voucher Scheme as defined by their NACE code. A number of sectors are identified by their NACE codes in which exclusions apply in terms of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. The NACE code for a business can be checked via CRO registration.
  • A business cannot receive more than two Trading Online Vouchers.

Eligible Criteria

The vouchers are targeted at businesses with the following profile:-

  • Limited Online Trading presence
  • Less than 10 employees
  • Turnover less than €2m
  • Applicant business must be trading for at least 6 months
  • Business must be located in the catchment area of a LEO that is participating in this scheme

Ineligible Projects

  • 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 this scheme
  • 'Not for Profit' and social entrepreneurship applicants until 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 or involved in activities that the Local Enterprise Offices consider as ineligible or as involving an unacceptable reputational risk: gambling including ‘gaming’ (as defined in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956), adult entertainment, tobacco products and cannabis based products which are not authorised as medicines
  • Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies of EU funded Operational Programmes
  • Projects with employees in excess of 10 people
  • Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without scheme assistance i.e. deadweight
  • Projects essentially comprising importation and distribution
  • There is no LEO discretion in respect of NACE code eligibility for applicants who complete a webinar/mentoring session on or after the 8th February 2021.
  • There are categories of business excluded from the Trading Online Voucher Scheme as defined by their NACE code. A number of sectors are identified by their NACE codes in which exclusions apply in terms of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. The NACE code for a business can be checked via CRO registration.

 

Ineligible Businesses as Defined by NACE Code

Description of NACE Code Categories under which some sub-categories are excluded from TOVs

NACE Code Reference for the sub-categories

Detailed Descriptions of the Excluded Businesses ineligible for a TOV

 

Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products

C

(26.1 – 26.4)

2611   Manufacture of electronic components

2612   Manufacture of loaded electronic boards

2620   Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment

2630   Manufacture of communication equipment

2640   Manufacture of consumer electronics

Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

G

(46.5.0 – 46.5.2, 47.4.0 - 47.4.3, 47.9.0 – 47.9.9)

 

4651   Wholesale of computers, computer peripheral equipment and software

4652   Wholesale of electronic and telecommunications equipment and parts

4741   Retail sale of computers, peripheral units and software in specialised stores

4742   Retail sale of telecommunications equipment in specialised stores

4743   Retail sale of audio and video equipment in specialised stores

4791   Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet

4799   Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets

Air Transport

H

(51)

5110   Passenger air transport

5121   Freight air transport

5122   Space transport

Information and communications

J

(58 – 63)

5811   Book publishing

5812   Publishing of directories and mailing lists

5813   Publishing of newspapers

5814   Publishing of journals and periodicals

5819   Other publishing activities

5821   Publishing of computer games

5829   Other software publishing

5911   Motion picture, video and television programme production activities

5912   Motion picture, video and television programme post-production activities

5913   Motion picture, video and television programme distribution activities

5914   Motion picture projection activities

5920   Sound recording and music publishing activities

6010   Radio broadcasting

6020   Television programming and broadcasting activities

6110   Wired telecommunications activities

6120   Wireless telecommunications activities

6130   Satellite telecommunications activities

6190   Other telecommunications activities

6201   Computer programming activities

6202   Computer consultancy activities

6203   Computer facilities management activities

6209   Other information technology and computer service activities

6311   Data processing, hosting and related activities

6312   Web portals

6391   News agency activities

6399   Other information service activities n.e.c.

Financial and insurance activities

K

(64 -66)

6411   Central banking

6419   Other monetary intermediation

6420   Activities of holding companies

6430   Trusts, funds and similar financial entities

6491   Financial leasing

6492   Other credit granting

6499   Other financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding n.e.c.

6511   Life insurance

6512   Non-life insurance

6520   Reinsurance

6530   Pension funding

6611   Administration of financial markets

6612   Security and commodity contracts brokerage

6619   Other activities auxiliary to financial services, except insurance and pension funding

6621   Risk and damage evaluation

6622   Activities of insurance agents and brokers

6629   Other activities auxiliary to insurance and pension funding

6630   Fund management activities

Real estate activities

L

(68)

6810   Buying and selling of own real estate

6820   Renting and operating of own or leased real estate

6831   Real estate agencies

6832   Management of real estate on a fee or contract basis

Professional, scientific and technical activities

M

(73)

7311   Advertising agencies

7312   Media representation

7320   Market research and public opinion polling

Public administration and defence; compulsory social security

 O

(84)

8411   General public administration activities

8412   Regulation of the activities of providing health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security

8413   Regulation of and contribution to more efficient operation of businesses

8421   Foreign affairs

8422   Defence activities

8423   Justice and judicial activities

8424   Public order and safety activities

8425   Fire service activities

8430   Compulsory social security activities

Education

P

(85)

8510   Pre-primary education

8520   Primary education

8531   General secondary education

8532   Technical and vocational secondary education

8541   Post-secondary non-tertiary education

8542   Tertiary education

8551   Sports and recreation education

8552   Cultural education

8553   Driving school activities

8559   Other education n.e.c.

8560   Educational support activities

Arts, Entertainment and recreation

 R

(91 – 92, 93.2.0 – 93.2.9)

9101   Library and archives activities

9102   Museums activities

9103   Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions

9104   Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserves activities

9200   Gambling and betting activities

9321   Activities of amusement parks and theme parks

9329   Other amusement and recreation activities

Other activities

S

(94)

9411   Activities of business and employers membership organisations

9412   Activities of professional membership organisations

9420   Activities of trade unions

9491   Activities of religious organisations

9492   Activities of political organisations

9499   Activities of other membership organisations n.e.c.

 

 

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)
  • Development of a digital marketing strategy
  • Implementing a digital marketing strategy
  • Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an on-line trading activity

What the vouchers cannot be used for

  • Development of brochure websites
  • Purchase of non-internet related software
  • Anything other than online trading related activity

Trading Online Voucher Scheme – up to €2,500 grant available

Grow your business with help from this Government grant scheme, designed to assist small businesses. It offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 along with training and advice to help your business trade online.  Participating in this scheme can make the process of trading online much easier for you.

Making informed decisions is vital for all business, so the free help and training provided by your local enterprise office puts you in a position to decide what is best for your business.

Cutting the cost of developing your online trading capacity can make the investment very affordable for many small businesses out there.

Information 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.     

Under the Government’s National Digital Strategy, the expanded Trading Online Voucher Scheme helps small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. There is up to €2,500 available through the Local Enterprise Offices with co-funding of 50% from the business*. 

Training and further business supports are also provided by Local Enterprise Offices,and businesses that have already received a Trading Online Voucher can now apply for a second voucher, where upgrades are required. You will need to attend another seminar to apply for a second voucher. You must apply for a voucher within 6 months of attending a webinar.

Please attend a Trading Online Voucher webinar to receive the application form.

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.

TOV Application Process Includes attending TOV info Seminar and Application Form:

1. Trading Online Voucher Information Webinar - Those wishing to avail of a voucher, must attend an obligatory Trading Online Voucher Information webinar. At each webinar attendees will be informed of the purpose of the scheme and how best to use and get value from the application of the voucher. *Please note you will be required to sign an attendance sheet at the webinar as proof of attendance. Please keep this confirmation email as you will be required to submit it as part of your application.

2. Submit Application Form - Only those people who attend the trading online voucher information webinar and meet the eligibility criteria will be sent an application form to apply for a voucher from our LEO. 

  

Please note : The final closing date for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme is 5pm on Friday 13th of December 2024.

This is your last chance to secure funding through the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. Only completed applications received by this date will be put forward for approval.


Acknowledgements

This scheme is an initiative of the National Digital Strategy, developed and funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment

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