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How can new Irish founders get €2,500 for digital marketing?
The Trading Online Voucher Ireland 2026 is a government-funded grant providing up to €2,500 to help micro-enterprises (1-10 employees) build e-commerce stores and run digital ads. Managed by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), it covers 50% of your project costs, effectively doubling your marketing budget instantly.
Why is the TOV worth it for first-time entrepreneurs?
Data shows that TOV recipients see an average 21% increase in sales and an 84% jump in customer inquiries. For bootstrapped startups, it provides the capital needed for professional SEO, high-converting Shopify/WooCommerce builds, and social media advertising without depleting cash reserves
2026 Eligibility: Do you qualify for the grant?
o secure the voucher, your business must be active and “trading” for at least 6 months. This requirement ensures the government is investing in viable entities rather than ideas.
| Requirement | Startup Standard |
| Team Size | 1 to 10 employees |
| History | Minimum 6 months trading |
| Location | Registered in the Republic of Ireland |
| Turnover | Under €2 million annually |
What happens if I’ve only been trading for 5 months?
You must wait until the 6-month milestone to submit. However, you should attend the mandatory LEO seminar now, as the certificate of attendance is valid for 9 months. Use this “waiting period” to collect the three required supplier quotes.
What exactly does the Trading Online Voucher Ireland 2026 cover?
The grant is designed for Revenue-Generating Assets. While it won’t pay for a simple “digital business card” (brochure site), it will fund anything that facilitates a transaction.
- E-commerce Development: Adding payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal) to your site.
- Digital Advertising: Up to 30% of the grant can be used for Google/Meta ads.
- AI & Automation: Implementing AI chatbots for customer service or automated booking systems.
- SEO & Content: Professional keyword strategy to outrank local competitors. ( We recommend tool to do this work, here are the best collection of Ai tools to do digital marketing work)
Rejection Insurance: 3 Reasons Applications Fail
The TOV is a competitive grant, not an entitlement. Even if you meet the criteria, your application can be denied for these common errors:
- Generic “Brochure” Websites: If your site doesn’t allow customers to book, buy, or pay, the LEO will likely reject it. It must be a trading tool.
- Incomplete Quotes: You must provide three independent quotes. If they look “friendly” (e.g., from a family member) or lack detail, you will be flagged.
- No “Information Gain”: If your application just says “I want a website,” you’ll lose to the founder who says, “I will use this to capture 15% more export leads from the UK market.”
The “Startup Growth” Timeline
- Week 1: Attend the mandatory LEO Webinar.
- Week 2-3: Finalize your Buyer Persona and get 3 professional quotes.
- Week 4: Submit the application via the LEO portal.
- Week 8: Receive the “Letter of Offer” and start development.
Success Story: Cork Retailer Growth
A local boutique used the TOV to move from Instagram-only sales to a dedicated Shopify store. Within 12 months, they saw a 40% sales jump, with 60% of that revenue coming from new customers outside their local county.
Official Resources
Government Sources
- Enterprise Ireland: www.enterprise-ireland.com
- Local Enterprise Office Directory: www.localenterprise.ie
- Citizens Information: www.citizensinformation.ie
