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Local Enterprise Office

12 schemes tracked

Business Expansion Grant

The Business Expansion Grant helps established sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies fund growth after their first 18 months in business. It covers capital, salary, consultancy/innovation/marketing, and general overhead costs linked to expansion.

Grant range
Up to €150,000
Funding level
50%
Support type
Grant
Last checked
3 Sept 2026
Start this application on Local Enterprise Office's website (opens in a new tab)

About this scheme

The Business Expansion Grant supports businesses moving beyond their first 18 months of trading into a growth phase. It can fund capital items, salary costs, consultancy/innovation/marketing costs, and general overheads tied to an expansion project.

The standard maximum award is 50% of eligible investment or €80,000, whichever is lower, with awards between €80,000 and €150,000 reserved for exceptional cases that clearly show potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland and/or export internationally. Certain sectors are excluded due to deadweight/displacement concerns or reputational risk. Businesses that already received a Priming Grant must wait 12 months from that grant's approval/drawdown before applying, barring exceptional merit. Larger awards require Enterprise Ireland approval, and no project expenditure may be incurred before the application is submitted.

Who can apply

  • Must be a sole trader, partnership or limited company
  • Enterprise must not employ more than 10 people (exceptions possible with LEO advisor approval)
  • Must be established, registered and operate within the geographic area of a Local Enterprise Office
  • Must operate in the commercial sphere
  • Must demonstrate a market for the product/service
  • Must show potential for growth in domestic and/or export markets and for new job creation
  • Priority given to manufacturing or internationally traded services sectors with export/Enterprise Ireland graduation potential
  • Ineligible: Enterprise Ireland/IDA/Udaras na Gaeltachta clients; domestically focused retail, personal services, professional services and construction services; coal or steel sector businesses; gambling/gaming, adult entertainment, tobacco, and non-medicinal cannabis-based product activities
  • Businesses that received a Priming Grant are ineligible for 12 months after that grant's approval/drawdown date (exceptions for cases of exceptional merit)
  • Grants ≥€50,000 (or cumulative ≥€100,000 over 3 years) require Enterprise Ireland approval
  • Application must be submitted before any project expenditure is incurred or project activity commences

How to apply

  1. N/A