The Grow Digital Voucher is one of the more useful funding supports available to small businesses in Ireland — but it is widely misunderstood. As of 2026, administered through your Local Enterprise Office (LEO), it co-funds off-the-shelf digital tools that are new to your business. It does not fund custom or bespoke software, and that distinction catches a lot of people out.
This guide covers the essentials honestly: what the voucher is, who qualifies, what it actually covers (and what it doesn't), and how the application process works — so you don't waste time applying for something that won't be approved.
The Grow Digital Voucher is a co-funding scheme that covers 50% of eligible costs, with a minimum grant of EUR 500 and a maximum of EUR 5,000 — up to a combined EUR 5,000 across a maximum of two voucher projects. It replaced the older Trading Online Voucher and has a wider focus on digital tools, not just websites.
It's a reimbursement, not an upfront payment. You pay the supplier, then claim back the LEO's 50% share after the tool is in place and invoices are submitted.
The voucher is aimed at small businesses. The typical eligibility criteria include:
The exact criteria can vary slightly between LEOs, and availability depends on funding. Some LEOs have strong demand for this voucher, so it's worth applying early in the year when budgets are fresh.
This is the part that trips people up. The voucher funds ready-made, off-the-shelf digital tools that are new to your business — typically:
What it explicitly does not cover:
In short, the voucher is designed to help you adopt ready-made tools, not to subsidise a custom build. If a supplier tells you their bespoke product is "grant-funded," check the eligibility rules carefully and confirm directly with your LEO before you commit.
The application process is straightforward, though it does require some preparation. Here's how it typically works:
Start by contacting the LEO in your county. You can find yours at localenterprise.ie. Every county has one. Ring them or email them and say you're interested in the Grow Digital Voucher. They'll explain the current availability and any specific requirements for your area.
The LEO will ask you to fill out an application form. This typically includes:
The application doesn't need to be a formal business plan. It's a practical document that explains what you want to do and why. LEOs are looking for genuine business need, not polished proposals.
The LEO reviews your application and, if approved, issues a letter of offer. This confirms the amount of co-funding and the conditions. You typically have a defined period (often 6 months) to complete the project and submit invoices for reimbursement.
Important: do not start the project before you receive approval. The LEO needs to approve the voucher before work begins. Starting early may make you ineligible for the funding.
Once approved, you engage your supplier, the work gets done, and you pay the invoices. You then submit the paid invoices to the LEO along with a brief completion report. The LEO verifies the work was done and reimburses their share — up to EUR 5,000 or 50% of the total cost, whichever is lower.
We'll be straight with you: our work is custom software and custom websites, which the Grow Digital Voucher does not fund. We'd rather tell you that up front than help you apply for something that won't be approved.
Where we can genuinely help:
Either way, a free, no-pitch conversation will tell you which path makes sense — including whether an off-the-shelf, voucher-eligible tool would do the job.
The Grow Digital Voucher is a strong support for adopting off-the-shelf digital tools — CRM, accounting, booking, cyber security and the like. It is not a way to fund custom software or a bespoke website. Work out which you actually need before you apply, and contact your Local Enterprise Office to confirm current availability.
We build focused software for businesses that off-the-shelf tools don't fit. Get a free, no-pitch review — if buying an app or doing nothing is the right call, we'll say so.