The Trading Online Voucher Scheme provides funding to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (exclusive of VAT), whichever is the lesser to a qualifying business to develop an online trading presence i.e. ecommerce shop/online payments system via their website.
A qualifying business is defined as:
- Limited Online Trading presence;
- 10 or less employees;
- Turnover less than €2m;
- Applicant business must be trading for at least 6 months;
- Business must be located in County Kilkenny
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)
- Implementing a digital marketing strategy i.e. Social media marketing
- Consultation with ICT experts for early-stage adopters of online strategy
- Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity
- What the vouchers cannot be used for
- Development of brochure websites (i.e websites with no e-commerce facility)
- Purchase of non-internet related software
- Anything other than online trading related activity
What the vouchers cannot be used for
- Development of brochure websites (i.e websites with no e-commerce facility)
- Purchase of non-internet related software
- Anything other than online trading related activity
Ineligible Projects
- Ineligible categories of businesses. Please read and confirm if you are excluded from applying
- 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 the scheme
- "Not for profit" and social entrepreneurship applicants unless 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
- Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies of EU funded Operational Programmes
- Businesses in receipt of more than €300,000 in de minimis aid in the past 3 years. De minimis aid is state aid businesses may have received in any of the EU member states.
- Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without scheme assistance i.e. deadweight.
- Projects essentially comprising importation and distribution
How to Apply:
- As part of the trading online voucher scheme application process, attendance at an information session forms part of the application process.
Click here to book in to our next Trading Online Voucher Information Session
- To receive the Trading Online Voucher application link please get in touch with one of our business advisors. We recommend that you register on the online system prior to the meeting appointment schedule above by inputting your name on the application form in order to get maximum benefit and assistance with the application process, please review the questions prior to your meeting with the mentor as they will assist you with any queries you might have.
**Please note applications can only be made via the online system. Hard and email copies of application forms and drawdown documentation are no longer accepted**
- Following the information session:
- A fully completed online application form with evidence of seeking 3 quotations etc must be submitted via the online portal.
- Following this a review meeting is held and the application is forwarded to an Evaluation Meeting for approval. If successful, a letter of offer will be issued.
- This letter of offer must be signed, accepted and returned;
Please note the following: EXPENDITURE INCURRED PRIOR TO APPROVAL OF APPLICATION (i.e. Letter of Offer is issued) IN INELIGIBLE FOR PAYMENT.
Tools
Web Development Brief
Drawing down
Applicants must now drawdown from the funding allocation within 6 months.
All other documentation required for drawing down TOV Grant is issued in Letter of Offer once approved.
To see how the Trading Online Voucher benifitted other Kilkenny businesses check out our Case Study videos: