Funding Opportunities
Business Supports & Grants for SMEs entering and expanding in the DACH region
Helping you access funding, advisory, and expert support to grow your business at home and abroad.
Expanding into international markets can be complex and costly—but you don’t have to go it alone. A wide range of public and government-backed supports are available for Irish and UK companies looking to grow digitally or internationally. This page provides a high-level overview of those supports, advisory and financial, and how we can help you access them.
What Supports Are Available
We’ve grouped the key supports into two categories:
Advisory
Services
A range of national and international agencies provide support, guidance, and connections to help SMEs enter and grow in the DACH region. These can be grouped into three categories:
Irish & UK-Based Support Agencies
Government-backed agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), and the UK Department for Business and Trade offer export guidance, funding advice, and access to networks for companies entering new markets.
National Trade Promotion Bodies
Organisations like Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), Advantage Austria, and Switzerland Global Enterprise provide local market insights, sector data, legal/tax guidance, and practical support for foreign businesses.
Bilateral Business Networks
Chambers such as the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce and the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany facilitate cross-border business through events, expert advice, and matchmaking services.
Funding
Support
Most advisory agencies also offer or manage co-funding schemes for eligible businesses. Funding levels and programmes vary depending on your size, goals, and target market.
Examples include:
Enterprise Ireland
Digital Marketing Capability Grant: 50% funding up to €35,000 for strategy and training
LEO Funding
Trading Online Voucher, Priming/Business Expansion grants, Digital Start, Lean for Micro.
Other national & EU programmes:
These change regularly and may include export market research, innovation vouchers, and collaboration grants.
Ready to Strategise Your German Success?
Don’t leave your expansion into one of Europe’s most valuable markets to chance. Let’s work together to build a tailored growth strategy that provides the clarity and confidence you need to succeed.
Ready to Unlock Growth Support?
Whether you’re exploring your first export opportunity or planning a major digital upgrade, we can help you find and secure the right support.