InnovationSupports
InnovationSupports
Enterprise Ireland’s innovation supports enable companies to develop new market opportunities and maximise their business performance. So whether you’re an SME or a large enterprise, if you have the ambition, we can help you take it global.
Innovation Capability Supports
Our specialist programmes diagnose your innovation readiness and move quickly to put the right infrastructure and processes in place.
Innovation Health Check
An adviser facilitates diagnostic sessions in which your innovation strengths and weaknesses are assessed, areas for improvement are agreed, and the right supports are identified.
Excel & Growth Programmes
These one-day programmes help improve your capabilities for identifying innovation opportunities for growth, reducing risk throughout the innovation process, and managing the successful delivery of R&D and innovation projects.
Innovation 4 Growth Programme
This programme helps ambitious companies to build innovation plans and processes by developing opportunities to grow their business. Members of your management team learn how to manage successful innovation projects from building a roadmap through to monitoring KPIs that track project performance.
Innovation Funding Supports
From major R&D to smaller product, service or process improvement projects, we have a range of supports available.
Agile Innovation Fund
This fund supports clients to quickly develop innovations and respond to opportunities and threats in new and existing markets. It is a great fit for companies that need to rapidly develop solutions or are planning a first R&D project. Eligible companies submit a short online application form to get quicker approval for projects with a maximum expenditure of €300,000.
Exploring Innovation
This funding supports the better planning of R&D and innovation projects. These grants are designed to encourage companies to think strategically about disruptive technologies and take time to look beyond their own organisation for inspiration and guidance.
Digital Process Innovation
A Digital Process Innovation project involves implementing design, installation and/or configuration of a new production or delivery process/system. Projects should be innovative and include a level of risk, and not simply focus on routine changes or adopting best practices.
Larger R&D Funding
This funding supports companies to conduct industry-led R&D that helps grow sales and employment. It supports companies into expand to new markets or increase competitiveness through the strategic development of new or improved products, services and processes. Companies may also qualify for tax credits under the R&D Tax Credit Scheme.
Innovation Vouchers
The vouchers support Irish companies looking to take the first step into developing innovative solutions.
Each voucher gives a company €5,000 worth of time with an expert, third level researcher to help develop initial ideas.
Innovation Vouchers can be used for new product, process or business model developments as well as training and auditing.
Climate Enterprise Action Fund
The fund supports Irish companies to build the capabilities required to deliver sustainable products, services and business models. Projects may include preparing a climate change and sustainability strategy, identifying actions to reduce CO2 emissions and planning for resource efficiencies. The fund aims to help companies at every stage of their sustainability journey.
IP Strategy Support
Your Intellectual Property (IP) including patents, designs, trademarks, trade secrets and copyright, may be your most valuable assets. In today’s global market for innovative products, IP is essential to secure your competitive advantage, to enter export markets, to collaborate, to raise investment and to continue to innovate. The IP Strategy Offer supports companies to develop an IP strategy aimed at managing and exploiting the IP that results from their RD&I.
Innovation Collaboration Supports
Through our knowledge transfer experts, tap into the wealth of research and innovation in third-level education and research centres.
National Research System
Learn how new insights from researchers in the Higher Education Institutes can work for your business. Apply for a €5,000 Innovation Voucher to fund a knowledge provider to solve a technical or business challenge. Be introduced to international programmes like Horizon 2020 to find opportunities to collaborate with research institutions across Europe.
Technology Gateways
Connect with up to 15 Technology Gateways, located in Institutes of Technology around Ireland, to help find solutions to technical challenges and new innovations that could push your offerings ahead of the competition.
Knowledge Transfer Ireland
KTI helps companies to find the commercial value of research and innovation conducted in Ireland. Its web portal makes it easy for companies to locate the technology, expertise, intellectual property and facilities most relevant to their ambitions.
Technology Centres
Collaborate with one of 14 Technology Centres, which are resourced to carry out market focused, strategic R&D for the benefit of networked groups of companies through accessing the capabilities of the Irish research community.
Commercialisation Fund
The fund supports the development of innovations at all stages of the commercial pipeline and provides researchers with access to industry experts and commercial training supports to transform their ideas into commercially relevant businesses.
Case Studies
Ventac
How research helped Ventac to identify opportunities that drive innovation
With the help of Enterprise Ireland innovation supports, Ventac was able to establish a special acoustic laboratory, showcasing their flair for innovation while enhancing their global reputation.
Dawn Farms
Dawn Farms Meeting Customer Expectations Through Innovation
Established in 1985, Dawn Farms is a family-owned company and the largest specialist supplier of cooked and fermented meat protein ingredients outside of the USA.
CustomerMinds
CustomerMinds makes digital communications API ever after for major clients
CustomerMinds used innovation supports to fast-track the development of their API software, helping global clients to efficiently streamline customer communications.
Marco Beverage Systems
Game-changing brewing technology boosts brand value for Marco Beverage Systems
Innovation supports from Enterprise Ireland allowed Marco Beverage Systems to develop products that are up to 70% more energy efficient compared to competitors.
Alpha Wireless
New combined antenna solution helps Alpha Wireless maximise its potential
Innovation supports helped Alpha Wireless bring industry experts on board, before designing a combined antenna that can meet stringent planning restrictions in different markets.
Irish Dog Foods
Irish Dog Foods brings export market to heel
Irish Dog Foods made use of Enterprise Ireland's innovation supports to create a unique range of natural products, opening up new markets like America and Japan.
LED Group
R&D lights the way to LED sales spike
The range of innovation supports from Enterprise Ireland gave LED Group the freedom to test new prototypes - ultimately leading to products with mass global appeal.
Ding
Ding credits innovation for growth
Innovation supports from Enterprise Ireland led Ding to make R&D vital to their daily operations, constantly rolling out software updates and improving their customer experience across the globe.