Acumen

About this scheme

Acumen is an InterTradeIreland programme that helps SMEs in the manufacturing or tradable services sectors fund and recruit a dedicated sales resource to grow cross-border trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The resource can be based in either jurisdiction. Businesses that satisfy basic eligibility but have identified a cross-border market research gap can access 100%-funded market research support ahead of a full application. Once approved, InterTradeIreland also provides recruitment support (developing job descriptions, adverts, and remuneration packages, plus shortlisting/interview guidance), post-recruitment sales training to set a 12-month sales plan and targets, and access to Sales Support Workshops for networking with other participants. The application journey begins with an initial eligibility check, followed by a mandatory Export Diagnostic Assessment (reviewing export potential, market opportunity, competitors, and business capacity) that determines whether a business proceeds to a full application requiring financial accounts. Approved businesses can start recruiting within 4-6 weeks, claim funding quarterly in arrears against supporting documentation, and are monitored by InterTradeIreland for up to three years after the 12-month programme concludes.

Who can apply

• Business must be active in the manufacturing or tradable services sectors (tradable services must be delivered into the cross-border market, not just attract cross-border customers to a home-market service)
• Must be an SME with fewer than 250 staff and £40m (euro equivalent) turnover; priority given to businesses with fewer than 100 staff or turnover under £10m (euro equivalent)
• Must be an indigenous business registered in Ireland or Northern Ireland (Irish-registered companies must hold a valid Tax Clearance Certificate)
• Must have an established trading history with a proven home-market track record (minimum 18-24 months sales history)
• Must have less than 40% of total sales in the target cross-border market in the last/current financial year
• Must have a sufficiently unique product or service that does not displace existing products/services in the target market
• Must demonstrate that new cross-border sales are not achievable without Acumen's support, and have the capacity (human, financial, production) to engage in cross-border trade
• Sole traders, partnerships and social enterprises meeting the criteria may apply; ineligible sectors include wholesale, retail, distribution, tourism, hospitality, primary agriculture, personal services and professional business services (unless a unique product/system/process adds value)
• Two funding options: a Full-time Sales resource (a direct employee), supported for 12 months up to €21,562/£17,250; or a Part-time Sales resource (an employee or contractual representative such as a sales agent, consultant, or lead generation company), supported for 6-12 months up to €11,500/£9,200

How to apply

1. 1Review the basic eligibility criteria and contact the Acumen team via the enquiry form or by phone
2. 2Undergo an Export Diagnostic Assessment with an assigned Acumen team member, covering export potential, target market opportunity, competitors, and business capacity; this produces a bespoke report and a recommendation on whether to proceed
3. 3Complete the full programme application with the Acumen team, including a full set of financial accounts; approved applicants are notified immediately and can begin recruitment within 4-6 weeks
4. 4Commence recruitment of the sales resource, with optional additional support (job description/spec, adverts, shortlisting/interview advice, post-recruitment sales training); Acumen funding formally begins once the resource is appointed
5. 5Submit quarterly claims in arrears with supporting documentation (payslips, invoices, bank statements) and a quarterly progress report
6. 6On completion (up to 12 months), submit a final claim and a conclusion report measuring the programme's impact; InterTradeIreland monitors progress for up to three years after completion