Innovation Voucher Programme

The Innovation Voucher Programme is designed to encourage collaboration between small and medium-sized businesses in Ireland and publicly funded Knowledge Providers, including higher education institutes and public research bodies.

This initiative grants eligible companies Innovation Vouchers valued at €5,000, facilitating engagement with registered knowledge providers to address specific business challenges or explore new opportunities through innovation. Each voucher provides access to the expertise of a third-level researcher, enabling companies to develop new products, overcome technical challenges, or refine business ideas.

What is it for?

The Innovation Voucher can be utilised for various types of innovation, including:

• New product/process development
• New business model development
• New service delivery and customer interface
• Tailored training in innovation management
• Innovation/technology audits

These vouchers can be exchanged for knowledge transfer projects from registered knowledge providers. Knowledge transfer projects involve transferring scientific, technological, or innovative knowledge that is new to the business.

Voucher Types:

• Standard Voucher: Provides €5,000 and allows companies to explore business opportunities or challenges with a knowledge provider. No need to identify the knowledge provider in advance. Valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

• Co-funded Voucher: Also provides €5,000, with the company contributing 50% of the project costs in cash. Covers project costs up to €10,000 on a 50-50 co-funded basis. The company and knowledge provider jointly agree on the work program for the project in advance.

Who is it for?

The Innovation Vouchers initiative is open to all small and medium-sized limited companies registered in Ireland (company or group of companies with fewer than 250 full-time employees and not exceeding an annual turnover of €50m).

Companies do not need to be clients of Enterprise Ireland to apply for a voucher.