Three Ireland's grant programme returns with €100,000 bursary fund for SMEs

On the back of a very successful first three years, Enterprise Nation and Three Ireland are once again running their Grants for Small Businesses programme in 2024.

Through the programme, Three Ireland will invest €100,000 into a bursary fund for SMEs. Ten small businesses will receive a €5,000 cash grant, €5,000 in tech solutions and products, and access to mentoring and support.

Eligibility and how to apply

The programme opens for applications on 2 September 2024 and closes on 30 September 2024. To qualify, your business must:

• be based in the Republic of Ireland

• have a workforce of no more than 10 employees

• have been trading for at least six months

• not be undergoing insolvency, examinership, receivership or any related or similar process

• if requested, be willing to share your success story of how you used the grant

The judging panel will give each application a score and shortlist the 20 applicants who score the highest. The panel includes:

• Padraig Sheerin – head of SME, Three Ireland

• Michael O'Dea – senior development adviser, Enterprise Ireland

• Sonya Lennon – entrepreneur and advocate for workplace equality

• Joanne Mangan – Ireland country manager, Enterprise Nation

• Niamh Tallon – founder of Her Sport and 2021 grant winner

For more information, and to apply, visit the Three Grants for Small Businesses page.

Impact of the programme

Previous grant winners include successful growing Irish businesses like Donegal-based Pumpskynz, which makes accessories for diabetes devices, and Galway-based accessible gaming specialists ByoWave.

Since being awarded a grant in 2021, Byowave has since scaled its business and become an official partner with Microsoft. It recently launched its Proteus Controller worldwide at Gamescom, and has also received a further €1.5 million of investment to continue its mission to make gaming accessible to everyone.

Another 2021 grant winner, Niamh Tallon from Her Sport, is part of this year's judging panel. She said:

"Winning Three Ireland's Grants for Small Businesses programme has been invaluable to us in boosting our growth journey.

"The bursary and business support from Three has helped us to add people to our team, increase brand awareness through more publicity and ensured we have the right tech in place to thrive as a young business.

I'm honoured to be one of the judges this year as I know how it feels to start your own business. I cannot wait to be inspired by the next generation of businesses coming through the programme in 2024.

"I encourage all small businesses to enter. You never know, you could be the next winner, just like Her Sport was in 2021."

Judge Padraig Sheerin said:

"Three prides itself on supporting businesses big and small across Ireland to scale and innovate through our connectivity products and solutions.

"This unique programme enables small businesses to not only avail of funds but also to access a range of hands-on support and mentorship from Three business experts.

"Since the programme launched four years ago, we have seen incredible growth from winning businesses and we are so proud of the role we can play in supporting them as they scale."

Fellow judge Sonya Lennon said:

"What a privilege to see baby titans in the making. Extraordinary young companies get precisely what they need to mould themselves for success through this powerful programme each year.

"I've witnessed that growth in the years I have been involved. If ever there was a reason to apply for this competition, it's the success of those who went before you."

Apply now for a Three Ireland grant

Ten eligible small businesses will each receive a €5,000 cash grant and €5,000 worth of Three solutions and products. Check your eligibility now