Funding Your New ERP & Digital Transformtion: Available Grants
Funding Your Digital Transformation: Grants and Supports
What funding is available for digital projects?
Digital transformation isn’t a trend — it’s how Irish businesses stay competitive.
From improving workflows to expanding online sales, the way we operate has changed dramatically.
But the cost of upgrading systems, automating processes, or investing in ERP can hold many businesses back.
That’s where Enterprise Ireland (EI) and similar supports come in. They offer a range of grants designed to help companies modernise without taking on all the financial strain.
At Right Hand Consulting, we help clients plan, structure, and secure that funding — so digital progress becomes a confident, well-funded move, not a leap of faith.
1. Why Funding Matters for Digital Growth
Upgrading systems, integrating ERP, or investing in digital marketing all take time and money.
Funding helps bridge that gap — letting you modernise operations while keeping working capital free for daily business.
Enterprise Ireland’s supports don’t just ease costs; they also validate your project. If EI is willing to co-fund it, you’re probably on the right track.
Many of the projects we support — from ERP selection to process mapping — begin with Business Process Discovery: The First Step to ERP Success. That groundwork often makes the funding application much stronger.
2. Why Does Enterprise Ireland Offer Grants?
Enterprise Ireland’s role is to strengthen Irish industry — helping home-grown businesses innovate, export, and create sustainable jobs.
Digital capability is central to that mission.
By funding technology and process improvement, EI helps businesses:
- Increase productivity
- Improve data and reporting
- Compete internationally
So, when you secure an EI grant, you’re not just getting financial support — you’re joining a national effort to build a more resilient, digitally confident business landscape.
3. Where to Start – Understanding Eligibility
Most EI supports apply to Irish-owned SMEs with export potential or strong growth plans.
In general, you’ll need to:
- Be trading for 12 months or more
- Employ at least three staff
- Have a viable, results-driven project plan
If your business is smaller or local-focused, your Local Enterprise Office (LEO) may be the better starting point. The Grow Digital Voucher can fund up to €5,000 for early-stage digital improvements.
But for established companies, Enterprise Ireland offers deeper support for ERP, process automation, and marketing transformation.
4. Key Enterprise Ireland Supports (2025)
Here are the main Enterprise Ireland grants currently available to help fund digital transformation and ERP-related projects (accurate as of November 2025):
Digital Process Innovation Grant
Supports major digital transformation initiatives such as ERP implementation or workflow automation.
Covers up to 50 % of eligible costs, max €150,000.
enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/digital-process-innovation
Digital Marketing Capability Grant
Funds projects to improve digital marketing capability — from website redevelopment to automation and content strategy.
Covers up to €35,000 (50 % of eligible costs).
enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/digital-marketing-capability
Access Advice: Digital Discovery Grant
Helps businesses assess digital readiness and build a practical roadmap for change.
Covers up to 80 % of costs, max €5,000.
enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/access-advice-digital-discovery
Digital Transition Fund
Government-backed support for large-scale digitalisation and process automation.
enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/supports-for-smes/digital-transformation/digital-transition-fund
Innovation Voucher
Provides €10,000 to work with research partners on digital or process innovation.
enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/innovation-voucher
5. Preparing a Strong Application
Enterprise Ireland applications are competitive. A clear, well-structured proposal makes all the difference.
Focus on measurable outcomes — time saved, cost reduced, or new capacity created.
Each application should show:
- The commercial benefit
- How innovation improves efficiency or competitiveness
- A clear plan and credible delivery team
If you’re defining the scope of your project, our guide Define Before You Buy: Building the Right Software RFP will help you clarify what to include before you apply.
At Right Hand Consulting, our experienced team know how to word and structure applications to make them stand out.
We align project goals with EI’s funding criteria, ensuring you access the maximum available support.
6. Can I Go Back to Enterprise Ireland for Another Grant?
Yes — and if your business continues to evolve, you should. Enterprise Ireland encourages ongoing investment in digital and process improvement. If your next project builds on a previous one, that history actually strengthens your case.
For example:
- A Digital Discovery Grant could lead naturally into a Digital Process Innovation project.
- A Digital Marketing Capability project might expand to support export automation.
When we help returning applicants, we highlight previous results and clearly define how the new project adds value. It’s not a repeat — it’s progression.
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many applications fail for simple, avoidable reasons:
- Reusing text from older submissions without updating outcomes
- Using vague goals instead of measurable results
- Forgetting to show how the project builds on earlier funding
- Missing supplier quotes or evidence of planning
- Leaving submission too late for approval timelines
Even good ideas can miss out if the application doesn’t tell the story clearly.
Our team routinely reviews draft submissions to ensure your proposal hits all the right notes.
8. The Application Timeline – What to Expect
Typical Enterprise Ireland funding applications follow three stages:
- Preparation (4 - 8 weeks): define the project, gather supplier quotes, set measurable KPIs. This timing depends on complexity.
- Submission & Review (4–6 weeks): Enterprise Ireland evaluates your eligibility and project potential.
- Approval & Claim (4–8 weeks): once approved, funds are claimed as milestones are met.
Timing matters — plan your project start dates around the review process to avoid delays.
Many clients engage us early to align both the ERP project and the funding application from the start.
9. How Right Hand Consulting Helps
Securing digital funding isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about demonstrating real business impact.
That’s where we come in.
We will:
- Identify the right funding stream for your goals
- Structure your project and supporting documents for clarity and credibility
- Draft and refine your application to meet EI’s criteria
- Support post-approval reporting and next-stage planning
Because we combine ERP process expertise with digital marketing capability, we can position your project as a complete digital-transformation initiative — the kind Enterprise Ireland wants to fund.
Once your project is approved we can help you with the management of the project too. We aim to offer an end-to-end solution.
Conclusion
Funding your digital transformation is one of the smartest ways to scale sustainably.
Enterprise Ireland grants exist to help businesses modernise, innovate, and compete — you just need to present your case clearly.
When we help clients through this process, we bring structure, clarity, and experience — ensuring each application is written to maximise funding and set the project up for success.
If you’re planning ERP implementation, digital upgrades, or marketing automation, we can help you:
- Identify the most suitable funding route
- Build a clear, results-driven project plan
- Maximise your Enterprise Ireland grant potential
📞 Get in touch with Right Hand Consulting to start your application the right way.
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