Three Ireland launched its 2023 Grants for Small Businesses programme earlier this week. The programme is open to all small businesses in Ireland with fewer than 10 employees and which have been in business for more than six months. Ten companies will share in a portion of a total prize fund worth €100,000 made up of €50,000 in direct cash grants and the same amount again in device and connectivity solutions, as well as mentoring from Three Ireland’s in-house experts.
Previous winners of the programme include farm safety specialists AgriGuardian from Limerick, sports tech firm Headhawk from Tipperary and hurley makers AM Hurleys & Sports from Monaghan.
“This is the third year of the programme,” says Padraig Sheerin, head of SME with Three Ireland. “We have invested over €500,000 in it since 2021 in terms of grants, products and services, advertising and PR support, as well as access to industry expertise. We’ve seen first-hand what impact the grant programme can have for SMEs, and the feedback we’ve received from previous winners has been extremely encouraging.
“The injection of cash can help bring businesses to another level by helping them with new product development, purchasing new equipment, funding marketing campaigns and so on. Each winning business has made incredible strides and I’m proud that Three Ireland has been there to support them in their business development and advance them on to the next stage of their journey.”
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Funded by Three Ireland and managed by the small business network and support provider Enterprise Nation, this year’s programme features an important new element in the form of expertise sessions for the top 20 shortlisted applicants where Three will provide guidance across business-critical areas including sustainability, procurement, technology, social media, marketing, product development and public relations.
“Each year the judging panel shortlists 20 companies from whom the 10 winners are chosen,” says Sheerin. “We decided to acknowledge the achievement of all the shortlisted companies by adding this new dimension. It’s a case of large and small businesses coming together. We have expertise across a range of areas and will give the companies access to that.”
The expertise sessions will be delivered online to facilitate companies based in the regions. “We will have shortlisted companies from each province, and this will make the sessions accessible for them,” says Sheerin. “People are very accustomed to using technology for remote working and so on now. We will publish a list of dates for the online interactive workshops and seminars, and the companies will be able to sign up for as many of them as they like. They will also be able to include as many people from the company as they wish.”
Joining Sheerin on this year’s judging panel are Siobhan Finn, National Hub Network manager for the Community Enterprise Association of Ireland; Emma Jones, founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation; Michael O’Dea, senior development adviser, High Potential Start-ups, Enterprise Ireland; and Sonya Lennon, entrepreneur and advocate for workplace equality.
“I am delighted to return as a judge for Three’s Grants for Small Business programme and to see this year’s innovative and inspiring ideas from Ireland’s entrepreneurs,” says Lennon. “As a judge last year I know the positive impact this programme can have on small businesses around Ireland and how the support provided can help propel a small business forward.
“The support, in terms of finances, connectivity solutions as well as industry expertise, can transform a business built on hard work and dedication. I look forward to judging this year’s submissions mainly because I was that soldier and know the difference this can make. The very best of luck to all the applicants, I’ll be waiting for you.”
Nicola Woods, head of Ireland with Enterprise Nation, notes the importance of the cash grants. “Over the last two years we’ve seen how this grant programme has significantly impacted 20 businesses right across Ireland. Our small business barometer shows that access to finance and investment is one of the most complex areas for small businesses to navigate and so this brilliant initiative is literally right time, right place.”
Sheerin expects an increased number of applications this year. “The programme been highly successful and is building momentum. We are very excited about this year’s programme. It is always so interesting to hear finalists’ stories. We expect to see a much increased number of applications due to greater awareness of the programme among small businesses around the country. The judges will be very busy, and they will have a very difficult task picking the winners.”
Applications for the programme are open with a closing date of Monday, October 2nd. Judging commences on October 27th, with the winners announced in November.
For more information visit: www.3.ie/grants