Did you know that there are grants available for businesses looking to establish a web presence? Well now you do!

If you own a business and you are thinking of putting that business online then it is well worth checking out whether you are eligible for a web development grant from your local Enterprise board. It is possible to get up to €1000 from the Enterprise Board. This can be used to pay for your web design and Internet marketing set-up costs. There are various terms and conditions that you must satisfy but it is worth a go. As Tesco says ‘Every Little Helps’.

You should call down to your local Enterprise Board and ask for their advice. JumpStart’s local Enterprise board is in Tipperary and we have taken the information below from their website.

:: Web Development ::

The Board is in a position to offer grant assistance to a limited number of qualifying enterprises in the county to establish a web presence and maximise web marketing opportunities subject to the following conditions:

1. The maximum grant available is €1,000 or 50% of actual qualifying expenditure subject to a ceiling of €2,000, whichever is the lesser.
2. The scheme is restricted to qualifying enterprises only such as firms employing fewer than 10 staff and operating in the manufacturing, internationally traded services, non-farm tourism and crafts sectors. Retail and distribution is ineligible.
3. The approved grant is contingent on acceptance within one month of the letter of offer and draw down within three months of that date or 30 November of that year whichever is the earlier.
4. The approved grant will be paid on the basis of expenditure incurred post the date of approval/confirmation by letter of offer and vouched to the satisfaction of the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board.
5. Eligible expenditure will include design cost, digital imagery/photography, initial domain name registration and search engine optimisation. Grantees must engage Revenue registered contractors and in the event that the designer is not VAT registered, a delcaration from their accountants must be provided.
6. The Grantee shall acknowledge the support received from the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board on the site and in all media promotion of same. (Details and logos will be e-mailed on request.)
7. The Grantee shall participate in any training initiatives that may be deemed appropriate from time to time by the Board.
8. In the case of tourism enterprises, the Grantee shall satisfy the Board that the site has not been funded by Tipperary Leader Group or other sources prior to payment of the approved grant. The Grantee shall also provide evidence of registration with Bord Fáilte/RTO prior to payment of the approved grant.
9. Should the Grantee dispose of the business, or cease trading, within 2 years of receipt of grant aid, the approved grant will become repayable at the discretion of the Board.

The Tipperary Enterprise Board have an online application form which you can use. You can view this application form at – http://www.tnceb.ie/publications_app_web_development.htm

If your business has been the recipient of this grant then contact us and let us know how the process worked.