NATIONAL DIGITAL STRATEGY

TRADING ONLINE VOUCHER

What is Trading Online Voucher?

The Trading Online Voucher scheme is funding by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) is aimed at established microbusinesses, including sole traders, with little of no trading online capability, operating in sectors where the market has not already compelled them to develop this capability.

The scheme offers a grant of up to €2,500 (subject to match funding) to help micro-enterprises (10 employees of less) to develop their ecommerce capability, and in turn reap the positive enterprise impacts of trading online.

Our Support Team will help you apply for Trading Online Voucher

Start by determining whether your company qualifies for the grant; the Trading Online Voucher is offered to small firms in the Republic of Ireland that have been in operation for at least six months, employ no more than ten people, and have a revenue of less than €2 million.

*Your business must be located in the area covered by the LEO to whom you make your application i.e. LEOs cannot accept applications from businesses located outside their jurisdiction.

Limited Online Trading presence

Business Should Employees 10 or Less Employees in their Payroll

Turnover less than €2m

Applicant business must be trading for at least 6 months

Trading Online Voucher Information seminar

Information seminars held by Local Enterprise offices are made available online or by conference call to support you in your application process and it is a condition of applying for the vouchers that you participate in one of these seminars. At each seminar you will be informed of the purpose of the scheme and how best to use and get value from the application of the voucher.

Submitting your TOV Application

Once you have attended the information seminar, you can make the application for the grant. The application form is a comprehensive questionnaire designed to helps the evaluation committee assess the application and make recommendations for the approval. Recommendations are based on the following list of criteria:

Eligibility for scheme
Value added potential
Export potential
Job creation potential
Financial sustainability

The Trading Online Voucher can be used towards eligible costs such as:

Upgrading your existing website with a Booking System, Integrating Online Payment facilities or adding a Online Retail Platform
Development of eCommerce Websites where you can Sell Products and Offer your Services Online
Adding additional
Adding a Content Management System (CMS) to enhance functionality of your Website (Client Portals where your clients can receive invoices, make payments and manage their appointments.)
Development and Implementation of your Digital Marketing Strategy including Website Copyright, Search Optimization and Online Advertising (for up to 30% of the approved voucher cost).
Training and Skills Development specifically to establish and manage an Online Trading activity
Purchase of Internet related software and subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions.

Trading Online Voucher Approval Process:

Trading Online Voucher Evaluation Process

An evaluation committee will assess the application forms and make recommendations for approval.

Recommendations are based on the following list of criteria:

Eligibility for the scheme
Value added potential
Export potential
Job creation potential
Financial sustainability

The approval process is usually quick, with a decision from Local LEO (Irish Government Support for small businesses) expected within 3-6 weeks of submitting your application. Upon approval, you will be issued a letter of offer, which you can then provide to your preferred supplier (Articulate Digital Business). Once you receive the letter of offer, you will have a three-month window to complete the work outlined in your application form. An additional one-month extension may be available upon mutual agreement with LEO (Irish Government Support for small businesses).

How to Reclaim Your Trading Online Voucher Grant Money and Navigate the Reimbursement Process with the Irish Government for Your Small Business

Upon completion of the application evaluation process, you will be notified via email regarding the confirmation of your Trading Online Voucher grant. Following this, a formal letter of offer outlining the approved scope of work and grant amount will be dispatched to you for submission to your chosen supplier (Articulate Digital Business). It is important that the letter of offer is signed, accepted, and returned within 2 weeks. You will have a period of 9 months from the date of approval to complete the designated work as outlined in your initial application.

Trading Online Voucher Claim

Payment will be made directly to the successful applicant upon satisfactory receipt of the following:

✅ Written correspondence from the applicant with their associated web address (Website Link) and confirmation that it is operational to trade online.

✅ Supplier(s) invoice(s) for approved works (Submit Articulate Digital Business invoice with your Trading Online Voucher Form.)

✅ Bank Statement(s) showing proof of payment to the supplier(s).

✅ Evidence of tax compliance in respect of the applicant/client business.

Just a heads up, make sure to finish up all your work and settle the payment before making a claim. Local Enterprise Office will only be able to reimburse you for expenses that are approved and included in this application form.