The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is a government grant intended to help small businesses of up to ten employees trade more online, increase profitability and explore new markets.

What is Trading Online Voucher for?

Online Trading Voucher

How does it work?

If your business has less than the equivalent of 10 full-time/part-time employees (based on the equivalent of 10 full-time employees on a 40-hour week), a turnover of less than €2m and has been trading for at least 6 months, then you can apply for a Trading Online Voucher of 50% of eligible expenditure up to a max of €2,500 for your project cost.

The application process for the vouchers is a competitive process. The application form is a comprehensive questionnaire designed for your business. Information seminars held by Local Enterprise offices are made available online or by conference call to support you in your application process and it is a condition of applying for the vouchers that you participate in one of these seminars. At each seminar, you will be informed of the purpose of the scheme and how best to use and get value from the application of the voucher.

Once you have attended the information seminar submit the completed and signed application form to your local LEO.



*Your business must be located in the area covered by the LEO to whom you make your application i.e. LEOs cannot accept applications from businesses located outside their jurisdiction.

The Trading Online Voucher is for small businesses in the Republic of Ireland that have been trading for at least six months, have no more than 10 employees and have less than €2 million in turnover.

The following is the list of terms to avail of the Trading Online Voucher scheme (source: localenterprise.ie).

The most important things to consider are two: the maximum value for the voucher is €2,500 or 50% of the eligible expense (net of VAT) and you need to get the approval before incurring any expense.

The full terms to consider are:

• Limited Online Trading presence
• Less than 10 employees
• Turnover less than €2m
• Applicant business must be trading for at least 6 months
• Business must be located in the catchment area of an LEO that is participating in this scheme

Projects that fall under one or more of the following categories are not eligible for the Trading Online Voucher (source: localenterprise.ie):

• Charities, commercial semi-state companies, trade associations or company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce
• Not for Profit’ or social entrepreneurship applicants operating under a commercial domain
• IT companies or agencies
• Conferences and Seminars
• Projects that are not compliant with public policy
• Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies of EU funded Operational Programmes
• Companies with more than 10 people
• Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without scheme assistance i.e. deadweight
• Projects essentially comprising importation and distribution

The TOV Scheme is meant for helping with the costs of digital marketing strategies, eCommerce websites and app development.

You can use the Trading Online Voucher for one or more of the following:

• IT, digital marketing or digital strategy consultation
• Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
• Implementation of online payment facilities or booking systems
• Purchase of Internet related software
• Purchase of online advertising (for up to 30% of the approved Voucher costs and it can only be drawn down in one payment phase)
• Development of an app (or multi-platform webpages)
• Development of a digital marketing strategy
• Implementing a digital marketing strategy
• Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity

Yes, you can use the Trading Online Voucher scheme for ‘subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions’ (source: localenterprise.ie).

An evaluation committee will assess the application forms and make recommendations for approval.

Recommendations are based on the following list of criteria:

• Eligibility for the scheme
• Value added potential
• Export potential
• Job creation potential
• Financial sustainability
  

The approval process is typically speedy and you can expect a decision from LEO in 3-6 weeks after submitting your application. If your application is approved, you will receive a letter of offer. You can then forward this letter to your supplier of choice.

From the moment you receive the letter of offer, you will have three months to complete the work detailed in your application form.



A further one-month extension can be granted following an agreement with your LEO.

After the thorough evaluation of your application, you will receive an email confirmation for your voucher grant. A letter of offer - detailing the works and amount approved - will be sent to you for you to forward to us (Proventus Digital). The letter of offer should be signed, accepted and returned within 2 weeks. You have 9 months to complete the work as per your application.

Draw Down Process

Payment will be made directly to you upon satisfactory receipt of the following:

• Declaration form - completed and signed by us, briefly detailing the works carried out and indicating that we are partially or fully paid for.

• Declaration of project completion

• We will provide you with the original paid invoice(s) for the work completed, with the evidence of our company details e.g. Company Registration Office (CRO) details or VAT details or evidence of tax compliance certificate.

• Bank Statement(s) showing proof of payment to our Bank Account.

• We will provide you with receipts in respect of each component of work carried out.

• Evidence of tax compliance in respect of your business

• A copy of your business CRO registration or other proof that your business has been trading for at least 6 months.

*All work must be completed and paid for prior to claim