Funding

Getting Investor Ready

The Irish BICs support start-ups with the potential to scale and provide each with tailored, highly focused one-to-one investor ready support to accelerate their growth.


We identify investment opportunities for potential iHPSUs and facilitate initial introductions with select investor entities, including Angel Investors, VCs, and both international and EU-based investors, to further accelerate growth and international expansion.

We work closely with our client companies on investor readiness, pitch deck preparation and pitching to investors.

We build awareness and understanding among start-ups of investor expectations and other issues relating to equity investments and valuations.

We collaborate with key partners and agencies to provide client companies with access to grant funding, as well as other funding opportunities such as DTIF and/or EICAccelerator funding.

Pre-Seed
Start Fund (PSSF)

Enterprise Ireland's Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) is a grant program that provides early-stage start-up companies with up to €100,000 to help them develop their products or services and reach key milestones.
Learn more about our programmes.

Innovative High-Potential
Start-Up (iHPSU)

The Enterprise Ireland Innovative High Potential Startup (iHPSU) plays a critical role as early-stage seed funding for innovative, scalable Irish businesses. It is an equity investment by Enterprise Ireland, which must be 50% or more matched by private equity investment, most likely from Angels or VC’s.
Learn more about our programmes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get started?

The best way to get started is to get in touch with your local BIC.

What is pre-seed funding?

Pre-seed funding is the initial capital raised by entrepreneurs to validate their business idea, build a prototype, and conduct market research. It is a crucial step in the startup journey as it allows entrepreneurs to prove the viability of their business idea before seeking larger investments.

What is a Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF)?

Enterprise Ireland's Pre-Seed Start Fund is a grant program that provides early-stage start-up companies with up to €100,000 to help them develop their products or services and reach key milestones. Read more here.

What is an Innovative High-Potential Start Up (iHPSU)?

iHPSUs are start-up businesses with the potential to develop an innovative product or service for sale on international markets and the potential to create 10 jobs and €1 million in sales within 3 years of starting up. Read more here.

What is seed funding?

The term seed funding refers to the initial funding that a startup or small business uses to get off the ground. Much of the seed capital a company raises may come from sources close to its founders including family, friends, and other acquaintances.

What is Prep4Seed?

Prep4Seed is a 12 week intensive investor ready programme. Read more here.