Grants for Cork Businesses – Trading Online Voucher Scheme

To support small Irish businesses to enhance their online trading presence, Trading Online Vouchers to the value of €2,500 (up to a maximum of 50% of the total cost excluding vat ) are now available to Cork Businesses through a programme under the Government’s National Digital Strategy and delivered through the Local Enterprise Offices.

• Please note approval of Trading Online Vouchers is dependent on the availability of funding for the scheme.
• Attendance at an Information Session/Webinar is required prior to submission of an application.
  Details of our Next Seminar can be found at TOV WEBINARS

• There are some Categories of business excluded from the Trading Online Voucher Scheme.
  Please see Page 11 Appendix 1 on our Information Leaflet for the list of categories of business excluded from the Trading Online Voucher Scheme as defined by their NACE code

• Only applicants who are based in Cork City may make an application to the Local Enterprise Office – Cork City 

• Trading Online Voucher applications are assessed individually. The submission of an application does not guarantee of approval of a Voucher.

Details : 

• Vouchers are to a maximum of €2,500 or 50% eligible expenditure, whichever is the lesser

• If you have received a Trading Online Voucher previously you are eligible to make ONE further application.
• Trading Online Vouchers must be used for the development or upgrade of an e-commerce website which includes implementing online payments or booking systems. 
• All work must be completed and paid for prior to claim. Payments will only be made with relation to approved expenses
• Vouchers must be drawn down within 6 months of approval. 

Making an Application:

• A completed application form in addition to three detailed quotes for works to be carried out must be submitted on our online applications system.

• Purchase of online advertising (this purchase cannot make up any more than 30%) of all other approved Voucher costs and can only be drawn down in one payment phase.

• Trading Online Vouchers must be used for the development or upgrade of an e-commerce website which includes implementing online payments or booking systems.
  
  
• In order to make an application please register and complete the online application form by clicking on the link below. Click here to register and apply

Who is eligible?

• The vouchers are targeted at businesses that have a limited online trading presence
• less than 10 employees
• turnover less than €2 million
• applicants must be registered and trading for minimum of 6 months

Who is ineligible?

• those with charitable status,
• commercial semi-state companies,
• ”not for profit” organisations,
• trade associations
• Company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce.
• There are some Categories of business excluded from the Trading Online Voucher Scheme.
  Please see Appendix 1 on our information leaflet for the list of categories of business excluded from the Trading Online Voucher Scheme as defined by their NACE code

What the vouchers can be used for: 

• Other usage includes; purchase of Internet related software, online advertising, development of an app, implementation of a digital marketing strategy, consultation with ICT experts for early stage adopters of online strategy, training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity
• Subscriptions (excluding transaction costs) to low cost online retail platform solutions, which would allow applicants to quickly establish a retailing presence online.

Vouchers cannot be used for:

• Development of brochure websites
• Purchase of non-internet related software
• Anything other than online trading related activity

In order to make an application please register and complete the online application form by clicking on the link below.

Click here to register and apply

If you have any queries in relation to the scheme please email: onlinevouchers@leo.corkcity.ie or call (021) 4961828.