The 2025 Three Ireland Grants for Small Businesses programme is now open for applications, with a closing date of Monday, September 29th. Now in its fifth year, the programme has provided €750,000 in funding, products, services and strategic support to SMEs throughout Ireland since its inception in 2021.
The programme is funded by Three Ireland and delivered in partnership with small business support platform Enterprise Nation. The programme offers a mix of financial support and connectivity solutions aimed at helping Irish SMEs grow and thrive. Once again, this year, 10 selected businesses will share in a total prize fund worth €100,000, with each receiving €5,000 in cash and €5,000 worth of Three connectivity and device solutions.
“Three is committed to helping businesses of all sizes across Ireland grow and innovate through our connectivity products and solutions,” says Padraig Sheerin, head of SME with Three Ireland. “Our grant programme offers small businesses not only financial support but also practical guidance and mentorship from Three’s team of business experts. Since the launch of the SME grant programme five years ago, the winning teams have experienced remarkable growth and we’re proud to contribute to their success as they continue to expand.”
The support from the Three team includes marketing and PR assistance, access to the company’s business tools, and expert guidance on how to run a successful business.
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“The programme has gone from strength to strength since we started out in 2021,” Sheerin adds. “We’ve got four years’ experience under our belts now and that’s given us very good insights into what small businesses really value. The mix of cash and other supports has worked really well. The funding aspect is very important, of course. Previous winners have been able to do a range of different things with that. Also, our technology and device solutions enable them to work faster and more efficiently.”
The programme is open to any business with nine employees or less in the Republic of Ireland, he explains. “As usual, there will be at least one winner per province,” he adds. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the applications for this year’s programme.”
Sustainability has been one of the themes in evidence among winning companies over the years, Sheerin notes. “One of last year’s winners was Ruairi Phelan and his Less business, which repurposes discarded wetsuits to turn them into watches. It’s a design-centred brand, creating minimal yet striking watches which are also stylish, comfortable and eco-friendly products. Based along Ireland’s wild Atlantic coast, the business is helping to keep waste out of landfills as well as offering people a lasting memory of the surfing experience to carry with them wherever they go.”
Another 2024 winner was Mark Connolly’s Livefarm. “Livefarm is a revolutionary platform that streamlines all aspects of farm management, making it easier for farmers to handle soil sampling tasks and maintain records,” says Sheerin. “By incorporating GPS-integrated soil sampling, Livefarm enables farmers to precisely co-ordinate and manage soil samples with ease.”
Kildare-based Refillz Zero Waste was also among the 2024 winners. The company provides an alternative and sustainable way to shop plastic-free. “Their store stocks unpackaged products for people to refill their own containers and then weigh and pay,” he explains. “It’s so clever and simple.”
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One of the original winners, Her Sport founder Niamh Tallon, will return to the judging panel again this year, bringing her expertise and continued support for Ireland’s small business community.
“Winning Three Ireland’s Grants for Small Businesses programme was a game-changer for Her Sport,” she says. “The funding and expert support helped us grow our team, boost our visibility, and put the right tech foundations in place to scale as a young business. I’m delighted to return as a judge this year and get a chance to meet the next wave of inspiring entrepreneurs. Having experienced the challenges of starting out in business, I encourage all SMEs to apply – you could be the next success story to emerge from the Three SME grant programme.”
Tallon and her fellow judges will begin the shortlisting process in October, and the 10 winners will be announced in early November, says Sheerin.
“I encourage all eligible companies to apply, regardless of what they think their chances are. Every small business has its own story to tell. Being part of the judging panel for the past four years, the stories you hear, the level of innovation and entrepreneurship on display is very impressive. Don’t assume someone else is going to win. Submitting an application is quite straightforward, but you have to apply. You have to be in it to win.”
For more information see 3.ie/grants.
