able of contents august 2016 1 - grebe...

TABLEOFCONTENTS

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

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The GREBE Project 6 What is GREBE? 6 Why is GREBE happening? 6 What does GREBE do? 6 The GREBE Business Supports Catalogue 6 Finland 8 Financial Support (grants, loans, equity investment) 10 Feed-in tariff 10 Energy support 11 The Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland 11 EIP – European Innovation Partnership (Rural Innovations) 12 Horizon 2020 for SMEs 13 A Startup Grant 13 Young Innovative Companies (YIC) Funding 14 Finnvera Loans 15 Start Guarantee 17 Finnvera Guarantee 17 Internationalisation Guarantee 18 Export Guarantee 18 Environmental Guarantee 19 Taxation or welfare supports or concessions for businesses 20 Soft supports e.g. mentoring, training, specialist advice, networks 20 Enterprise Finland 20 Business Mentors 21 Product Track 21 Yrityspörssi (portal to sell/buy business enterprises) 22 Business Transfer Support 22 Franchising support 23 Training for entrepreneurs 23 Qualification for an Entrepreneur 24 Business advisory and development services 24 RE and Business Training and Expert Services 25 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Services of University of Eastern Finland 25 Business Incubator 26 Joensuu Science Park Business Development Services 27 Research and Development Supports 27 Workplace Innovations 27 Development and Piloting 28 Companies’ Research Projects 29 Planning for Global Growth 29 VTT services 31 LUKE services 31 Social and Community supports (focused on not for profit) 32 Support for recruitment/Pay subsidy 32 Other 32 Start Me Up – Business Idea Competition 32 Draft Programme 32 Iceland 34 Financial Support (grants, loans, equity investment) 36 Energy Fund 36 Geothermal prospecting 36 Rannsóknarstyrkir Orkusjóðs (National energy authority research grants) 37

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Grants for district heating 37 Frumkvöðlasjóður Íslandsbanka 38 Átak til atvinnusköpunar 38 Tækniþróunarsjóður (Technology Development fund) 39 Icelandic student Innovation fund 40 Uppbyggingarsjóður (structural fund for each region in Iceland) 40 Taxation or welfare supports or concessions for businesses 41 Skattafrádráttur rannsókna- og þróunarverkefna 41 Soft supports 42 Start up energy 42 Konur í orkumálum – Women Network in Energy 42 Samband sveitarfélaga á köldum svæðum – 43 Iceland geothermal 43 Research and Development supports 44 Icelandic Research Fund 44 Other 44 Incubation spaces 44 Ireland 46 Financial Support (grants, loans, equity investment) 48 Micro Enterprise Loan Fund 48 Credit Guarantee Scheme 48 Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Investment and Working Capital Loans 49 Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Refinance of Exiting Banks 50 Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Leasing and Hire Purchase 50 Seed & Venture Capital Programme 52 Competitive Start Fund 52 Priming grants 53 Business Expansion Grant 54 Feasibility/Innovation Grant 54 Microfinance LEO Loans 55 REFIT Schemes and Supports 55 REFIT 1 56 REFIT 2 56 REFIT 3 56 New Renewable Electricity Support Schemes 57 Competitive Feasibility Fund 57 Western Investment Fund for SMEs 57 Business Angel Finance 58 Innovative HPSU Fund (Equity) 58 Taxation or welfare supports or concessions for businesses 59 Startup Relief for Entrepreneurs (SURE) 59 Employment and Investment Scheme 59 Tax Relief for new start-up companies 60 Research & Development Tax Credits 60 VAT measures to reduce burden on SMEs 61 The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme 61 JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme 62 JobsPlus 62 Soft supports e.g. mentoring, training, specialist advice, networks 63

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Accelerate Management Development Programme 63 Access to EU Programmes, EU Finance and EU Markets 63 Horizon 2020 Supports 64 New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme 64 Training Networks Programme (TNP) 65 Management Works Programme 65 Trade Accelerator Vouchers 66 Start Your Own Business Programme 66 Accelerate Management Development Programme 67 Tendering Supports 67 HPSU Feasibility Study Grant 68 SEAI Energy Advice and Mentoring 68 SME Support Tool 69 Research and Development supports 69 Ocean Energy Prototype Development Fund 69 Innovation Voucher for start-up companies 70 Innovation Partnership Grant Programme 71 Employment Supports 71 EURES 71 The EmployAbility Service 72 The Wage Subsidy Scheme 72 Work Place Supports 73 Other- e.g. Incubation space or office space 73 Enterprise Space / Incubation space 73 Northern Ireland 75 Financial Support (grants, loans, equity investment) 77 Invest NI 77 Intertrade Ireland 78 Renewable Heat Incentive 79 Renewables Obligation (ROCs) 80 Soft supports e.g. mentoring, training, specialist advice, networks 80 Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group 80 Carbon Trust 81 CAFRE – College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Development 82 Invest NI Innovation Vouchers 83 Research and Development Supports 83 Tech Start Up 84 Social and Community supports (focused on not for profit) 84 Action Renewables 84 Norway 86 Financial Supports 88 Start UP Grants 88 Business Loans 89 Narvik Capital 89 Forte Narvik 90 Norinnova Invest 90 Equity Investment 91 Venture Capital Investment 91 Taxation for businesses 92 Green Certificates 92

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Welfare supports for businesses 92 Enova-Projects 92 National Investment Support 93 Concessions for businesses 93 Concessions for Hydro Power Plants 93 Concessions for Small Hydro Power Plants 94 Soft supports 95 Innovation Norway – Mentoring Programme 95 Norwegian Solar Energy Society 95 Research and Development supports 96 UIT – Arctic University, Technology Department 96 NORUT NARVIK 96 Social and Community supports (focused on not for profit t in RE area) 97 Other 97 SIVA INCUBATOR 97 Scotland 98 Financial Supports 100 UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) 100 Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) 100 Scottish Innovative Foundation Technologies fund 101 InnovFin Energy Demo Projects 102 Barclays Renewable Energy Fund 102 EIB - European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) 103 District Heating Loan Fund 103 Taxation or welfare supports or concessions for businesses 104 Enterprise Investment Scheme 104 Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme 105 Soft supports e.g. mentoring, training, specialist advice, networks 105 Low Carbon Skills Fund 105 Scottish Enterprise 2015 – 2018 Business Plan 106 Marine Energy Parks 107 Scotland’s International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ) 107 Research and Development supports 108 European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 108 SMART: Scotland 108 Social and Community supports 109 Community And Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) 109 Community Energy Scotland 110 Local Energy Challenge Fund 110 Local Energy Scotland 111 Other Types of Support 111 Contracts for Difference 111 Feed-in tariff 113 Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) 113

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The GREBE Project What is GREBE? GREBE (Generating Renewable Energy Business Enterprise) is a €1.77m, 3-year (2015-2018) transnationalprojecttosupporttherenewableenergysector.Itisco-fundedbytheEU’sNorthernPeriphery&Arctic(NPA)Programme. It focuses on the challenges of peripheral and arctic regions as places for doing business, andhelpsdeveloprenewableenergybusinessopportunitiesinareaswithextremeconditions.

The project partnership includes the eight partners from six countries, Western Development Commission(Ireland), Action Renewables (Northern Ireland), Fermanagh & Omagh District Council (Northern Ireland),EnvironmentalResearch Institute (Scotland), LUKE (Finland),KareliaUniversityofAppliedSciences (Finland),NarvikSciencePark(Norway)andInnovationIceland(Iceland).

Why is GREBE happening? Renewable Energy entrepreneursworking in theNPA area face challenges including a lack of criticalmass,dispersed settlements, poor accessibility, vulnerability to climate change effects and limited networkingopportunities.

GREBEwill equip SMEs and start-upswith the skills and confidence to overcome these challenges and useplace based natural assets for RE to best sustainable effect. Te renewable energy sector contributes tosustainableregionalandruraldevelopmentandhaspotentialforgrowth.

What does GREBE do? GREBEsupportsrenewableenergystart-upsandSMEs:

• Togrowtheirbusiness,toprovidelocaljobs,andmeetenergydemandsoflocalcommunities.• BysupportingdiversificationofthetechnologicalcapacityofSMEsandstart-upssothattheycanexploit

thenaturalconditionsoftheirlocations.• ByprovidingREtailored,expertguidanceandmentoringtogiveSMEsandstart-upstheknowledgeand

expertisetogrowandexpandtheirbusinesses.• ByprovidingaplatformfortransnationalsharingofknowledgetodemonstratethefullpotentialoftheRE

sector by showcasing innovations on RE technology and strengthening accessibility to expertise andbusinesssupportavailablelocallyandinotherNPAregions.

• Toconnectwithotherrenewableenergybusinessestodevelopnewopportunitieslocally,regionallyandtransnationallythroughtheVirtualEnergyIdeasHub.

• Byconductingresearchontheprocessesoperatinginthesectortoimproveunderstandingofthesector’sneedsandmakethecaseforpublicpolicytosupportthesector.

Formoreinformation,visitourwebsite:http://grebeproject.eu/ FollowourBlog:https://greberenewableenergyblog.wordpress.com/LikeusonFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/GREBEProject/FollowusonTwitter:https://twitter.com/GREBE_NPA

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The GREBE Business Supports Catalogue ThisGREBEBusinessSupportsCataloguehasbeendevelopedfollowingareviewofRenewableEnergybusinesssupport funding mechanisms and funding options available to support the development of renewablebusinessesintheNPAregion.

Itprovidesinformationonthefundingmechanismscurrentlyavailableinthepartnerregions(Finland,Iceland,Ireland,NorthernIreland,NorwayandScotland).Theinformationwillbeusefultobothfundingagencies(e.g.businesssupportagenciesandmunicipalities)andtoSMEsgivingdetailsoffundingoptionsavailableintheirregions.

The main focus is on public body support for renewable businesses but both private sector and socialinvestment options have been includedwhere appropriate. The supports included are for SMEs andMicrobusinessesbutalsoincludeoptionsforthoseSMEsexpectedtogrowrapidly(e.g.HighPotentialStartUps).

Thebusinesssupportfundingmechanismsconsideredvaryfromstandard‘hard’businesssupportoptions(e.g.loansandventurecapital)tosoftersupports(e.g.innovationschemes,businesspartnersearchsupportsetc.)

ThecatalogueisorganisedbyGREBEpartnerregioninthefollowingorder:

• Finland,• Iceland,• Ireland,• NorthernIreland,• Norway,• Scotland

Ashortintroductiononthemethodsandtypesofsupportsineachpartnerregionisprovided.Informationforeachpartnerregionisitthenorganisedunderthefollowingcategories:

• FinancialSupport(grants,loans,equityinvestment)• Taxationorwelfaresupportsorconcessionsforbusinesses• Softsupportse.g.mentoring,training,specialistadvice,networks• ResearchandDevelopmentSupports• SocialandCommunitysupports(focusedonnotforprofit)• Other-e.g.Incubationspaceorofficespaceetc.

Within each of these categories there is considerable variation in the ways different funding options areimplemented and these differences will impact on the success of schemes. We hope that by using thiscatalogue those who seeking funding and support for renewable businesses will have a clear portfolio ofoptionswhichareavailabletothem.

Inthefuturetheinformationinthiscataloguewillbeusedtocreateawebbasedtoolallowinguserstosearchforavailablefundingoptionsandtoconsiderdifferenttypesoffundingavailableineachregion. Thiswillbeavailableat theGREBEprojectwebsitehttp://grebeproject.eu/ inAugust2016. This catalogue isoneof thedeliverablesoftheGREBEProject.

Deliverable:3.2.1

APDFcatalogueoffundingoptionsavailabletorenewablebusinessesinpartnerregions(thiswillbemadeavailableontheGREBEwebsite)

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FINLAND

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Finland What kind of agencies offer support to SMEs? InFinland,thebusinesssupportsofrenewableenergyarelargelygovernedbythestate,regionalauthorities,andpublicsectoralagencies.Localbusinessdevelopmentcompanies,ownedbythemunicipalities, linkSMEstothepublicsupportprogrammes.Universitiesandresearchorganisationsprovideresearchanddevelopmentservicesandnumberofassociationsoperateinspecificthemesandoffersoftsupports.

Is it clear to the SME where they should go for support? ThefirstcontactforSMEsisusuallylocaldevelopmentcompanyoperatinginadistrict(subregion)level.Theyprovide support in business planning and development, and link companies to the regional authorities andsectoral agencies and funding sources/programmes. Many companies are also members of the businessassociationsthatcanadvisetheminfindingthemostrelevantsupports.

Is there one agency which is the first place for businesses to go? Enterprise Finland, governed by theMinistry of Employment and the Economy, has established a businesssupport portal (http://www.yrityssuomi.fi/en). It provides necessary background information on businessestablishment, funding sources, business routines (taxation, permits, audits, employer obligations etc.) andcontactstothesupportingagencies.

Are business supports restricted to certain types of business, or enhanced for certain types of SMEs (e.g. only available for manufacturing or for exporters)? Business supports aremostly generic, not focused on certain types of businesses. Financial supports focusmuchonthebusinessestablishmentphaseandreachingthebusinessgrowththroughinternationalisationorproduct/servicedevelopment.

Are there special supports for RE businesses? REbusinesseshavetailoredfinancialsupports:energysupport(CentresforEconomicDevelopment,Transportand the Environment), and feed-in-tariff (Energy Authority). In addition, RDI (Research, Development andInnovation)activitiesaresupportedthroughtheEUfundingprogrammes.Softsupports (advisories, training,developmentprogrammes,mentoring)haveoftenthematiccontentsbutareavailableforallsectors.

Business supportsavailable inFinlandaredescribed inmoredetail in thecomingpagesunder the followingthemes:

• FinancialSupport(grants,loans,equityinvestment)• Taxationorwelfaresupportsorconcessionsforbusinesses• Softsupportse.g.mentoring,training,specialistadvice,networks• ResearchandDevelopmentsupports• SocialandCommunitysupports(focusedonnotforprofit)• Other-e.g.Incubationspaceorofficespace

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Financial Support (grants, loans, equity investment) Feed-in tariff Link to support information on website http://www.energiavirasto.fi/en/web/energy-authority/feed-in-tariff

Type of Finance Support Aproductionsubsidy

Description of the support Thefeed-intariffisafinancialsupportandsteeringmechanismestablishedtoincreasetheREproduction.Thefeed-in tariff is available forwind,biogasandwood fuelpowerplants. The tariff comprises the targetprice83.50€/MWhlessthethree-monthmeanmarketpriceofelectricity.Thefeed-intariffpayabletotimberchippowerplantsisdeterminedaccordingtothethree-monthmeanpriceofemissionrightsandtheenergytaxonpeat.

Thetariffisbasedonthelegislationprovidedhere:

http://www.energiavirasto.fi/en/web/energy-authority/legislation1

Agency Responsible for Support EnergyAuthority

https://www.energiavirasto.fi/en/web/energy-authority/

Maximum and minimum funding available Tariff depends on the target price and average three-month market price of electricity. The system istemporary,untilthecombinedcapacityofthegeneratorsisexceeded.(wind2500MVA,biogas19MVA,woodfuels150MVAor50generators).

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? ForREproducers(windpower,biogas,woodfuelpowerplants)

Is this a local, regional or national support? National

Other useful/relevant information http://www.energiavirasto.fi/documents/10179/0/Feed-in+tariff+summary+1.1.2015.pdf/2de0797f-40ca-4dcd-854a-5b0ea88f1d2e

SATUsystem(inFinnish)listsallplantsreceivingthissupport.

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Energy support Link to support information on website https://www.tem.fi/en/energy/energy_support

http://www.tem.fi/energia/energiatuki/tuen_maara

Type of Finance Support Astategrantforinvestmentsandrelatedresearchprojects

Description of the support TheenergysupportisastategrantforinvestmentsinREproductionfacilitiesandresearchprojectsrelatedtoit. Grants are available for projects, which promote the use or production of renewable energies, advanceenergyefficiencyandreducetheenvironmentaleffectscausedbyenergyproductionanduse.RegulationNo.1063/2012).Atleast25%oftheprojects’financingmustcomefromnon-governmentalfunds.Energyaidmaybegrantedtocompanies,municipalitiesandothercommunities.

Agency Responsible for Support The Ministry of the Employment and the Economy. Funding is allocated via local Centres for EconomicDevelopment,TransportandtheEnvironment.

https://www.tem.fi/en/energy/energy_support

Maximum and minimum funding available Funding rates differ: Energy audits up to 50%; new technology (RE production, use and energy efficiency)investmentsupto40%;conventionaltechnologiesupto30%;reducingtheenvironmental impactsofenergyproductionanduseupto30%.

However,thetypicalsupportrateshavebeen10-20%forconventionaltechnologiesand20-30%forthenewtechnologies.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? REbusinessesbutalsoformunicipalitiesandcommunities.


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The Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland Link to support information on website https://www.maaseutu.fi/en/rural-development-programme/objectives-of-the-program/Pages/default.aspx#sthash.o5SmDKQD.dpuf

Type of Support Developmentfundingprogramme

Description of the support Structuralfundsforbothpublicandprivatesectors

Thethreefocusareasarethefollowing:

1. Promote bioeconomy and, as part of it, agriculture that is economically, socially and ecologicallysustainableandethicallyacceptable.

2. Diversify rural industries and create employment by improving the competitiveness of businesses,supportingnewentrepreneurshipandpromotingthenetworkingofcompanies.

3. Improvevitalityandqualityoflifeinruralareasbystrengtheningindependentlocalactivities

Agency Responsible for Support ThestrategyiscoordinatedbytheruraldevelopmentunitoftheMinistryofAgricultureandForestry.FundingisallocatedvialocalCentresforEconomicDevelopment,TransportandtheEnvironment.

https://www.ely-keskus.fi/en/web/ely-en/

Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure) Dependsontheprojecttype

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Notonly,butprovidesgoodopportunitiesfordiversifying/supportingruralbusinesseswithREsolutions

Is this a local, regional or national support? Nationalprogrammewithregionalallocation

EIP – European Innovation Partnership (Rural Innovations) Link to support information on website https://www.maaseutu.fi/en/Rural_Innovations/Pages/default.aspx

Type of Support Structuralfundingforinnovationgroups(partofEIP-Agri)

Description of the support The measure aims to create an optimal setting for developing innovations that promote agriculture andforestry by making the best possible knowledge and expertise available for the group developing theinnovation,ensuringthatan idea,oncesuggested,canbeturnedintoadeployable innovation.Thebusinesspotentialoftheinnovationtobedevelopedisanimportantelementoftheselectioncriteria.Whiletheprojectmayalsobeassociatedwithinvestmentsinagricultureorfoodproduction,thesewillberealisedasseparateprojects,andtheirpotentialeligibilityforsupportwillbedeterminedonthegroundsoftherelevantsupportscheme'sprinciples.Thesupportlevelmaybeincreasedby20%atmaximumiftheprojecthasnolinkstotheoperationofaruralinnovationgroup.Theprojectmayalsoinvolveinternationalco-operation.

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Thebeneficiaryistheresponsibleimplementeroftheproject,whichmaybeanorganisationunderpublicorprivate law, including an SME, a researchunit or adevelopmentorganisation, a foundation, aneducationalinstitution,amunicipalityoranassociationthatassumesresponsibilityforprojectimplementation.Thegroupmustcontainatleastoneentrepreneurofprimaryproduction.

Agency Responsible for Support CentreforEconomicDevelopment,TransportandtheEnvironment.


Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure) Additionalsupport;Thesupportlevelmaybeincreasedby20%atmaximumiftheprojecthasnolinkstotheoperationofaruralinnovationgroup.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No,buthasgoodrelevanceforRE

Is this a local, regional or national support? EIP-AgriisEU–levelinstrument,thisisFinnishimplementationofEIP-Agri.

Horizon 2020 for SMEs Link to support information on website http://www.tekes.eu/en/horizon-2020/

Type of Support Researchanddevelopmentfunding

Description of the support EU–levelfundingprogrammeforresearchanddevelopment,SMEfundinginstruments

Agency Responsible for Support In Finland, support for SME involvement inHorizon 2020 is coordinatedby the TEKES (The Finnish FundingAgencyforInnovation);http://www.tekes.eu/en/horizon-2020/

Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure) Dependsonthecall/application,bute.g.therehasbeenopportunitiestoapply75%supportbetween€50,000and€2,500,000€.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No

Is this a local, regional or national support? International/national

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A Startup Grant Link to support information on website http://www.teservices.fi/te/en/employers/for_entrepreneurs/services_new_entrepreneurs/startup_grant/index.html

Type of Finance Support Grantfornewentrepreneurs

Description of the support Thepurposeofstartupgrantsistoencouragenewbusinessesandpromoteemployment.Thegrantprovidesanentrepreneurwithasecureincomeduringthetimethatgettingthebusinessupandrunningisestimatedtotake–howeverfornomorethan18months.

Agency Responsible for Support TE-Services(publicemploymentandbusinessservices)

http://www.te-services.fi/te/en/index.html

Maximum and minimum funding available Thestartupgrantconsistsof

• abasicgrant,whichamountedto€32.80adayin2015• asupplementarygrant,theamountofwhichisdecidedcasebycaseatthediscretionoftheTEOffice.• Thesupplementaryamountmaynotexceed60percentofthebasicgrantamount.


Is this a local, regional or national support? National,allocatedviaregionalandlocaloffices

Young Innovative Companies (YIC) Funding Link to support information on website http://www.tekes.fi/en/funding/yic/funding/

Type of Finance Support Grant/Loan

Description of the support Tekes offers funding for young, innovative companies for comprehensive development of their businessactivities.Companymaybeeligibleforthefundingif

- ithasopportunityforfastgrowthininternationalmarkets,- evidenceofpromisingbusinessactivitiesandcustomerreferences,- aclearplantogrowininternationalmarkets,andthecapacitytoimplementtheplan,- acompetitiveedgewithwhichitispossibletoattainanimportantmarketposition,- acommittedandcompetentmanagementteam,- theabilityattractventurecapital

Agency Responsible for Support TEKES(www.tekes.fi/en/funding)

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Maximum and minimum funding available ThemaximumamountofTekesfundingforyoung,innovativecompaniesamountsto€1.25million,ofwhichamaximumof€500,000maybefundedasagrant,and€700,000asaloan.

Tekesfunds75percentoftheeligibleprojectcostsinatleastthreephases.Thefundingforthefirstphaseisa€250,000grant;typicallyfortheperiodof6-12months.Thefundingisgrantedforbusinessdevelopment.

Tekessetsgoalsforthecompanyinitsfundingdecision,which,ifrealised,enablethecompanytomoveontothenextphaseoffunding.



Finnvera Loans Link to support information on website https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/node_2686/Loans

Type of Finance Support Loans(portfolio)

Description of the support Finnverahasaportfolioofloans,whichhavebeendevelopedtocoverthefinancingneedsinallstagesofanenterprise.Loansinclude:

Entrepreneur Loan: AnEntrepreneurLoanisapersonalloantoanentrepreneuranditcanbeusedtofinanceinvestmentsintheshare capital of a limited company and/or in the fund of invested unrestricted shareholder’s equity. AnEntrepreneurLoancanalsobeusedtofinancepurchasesofsharesofanexistinglimitedcompany.

Thetargetenterprisemayoperateinanysectorexceptfarming,forestryorbuildingdeveloper’sbusiness.Theenterprisemustmeet the criteria set by the EU for SMEs and itmust have the prerequisites for profitablebusiness.

An Entrepreneur Loan can be granted to a shareholder of a limited company whose holding of the sharecapitalandvoteswillbeatleast20percentaftercompletionoftheinvestmentorthetransactionfinancedbymeansoftheloan.

Theloancanalsobegrantedtoseveralfoundersorshareholdersinthesameenterprise.Themaximumloanperborroweris100,000euros.Theborrowermustpersonallyputupaself-financingportionofatleast20percent.

Finnvera Loan: AFinnveraLoan(previouslynamedInvestmentandWorkingCapitalLoan) is intendedfornewlyestablishedandexistingsmallandmedium-sizedenterprises.Itcanbeusedtofinancedomesticconstruction,machineryandequipmentinvestments,energyandenvironmentprojects,workingcapitalneeds,andvariousownershiparrangements.

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Internationalization Loan: TheInternationalizationLoanis intendedforfinancingthebusinessoperationsofaFinnishSMEabroad.Theloan may be used when a subsidiary or an affiliated company abroad needs funding for investment,development or growth. The loan can also be used to acquire or increase a holding, or to raise the sharecapital, ina subsidiaryor inanaffiliated companyabroad.After the investment, theborrowermustusuallyholdatleast1/5ofthevotingrightsinthecompany.

Tobeeligibleforfinancing,thesubsidiaryoraffiliatedcompanyabroadmustprimarilyengageinproduction,assembly,maintenanceorservice.Financingcannotbegrantedmerelyfortheestablishmentorexpansionofaforeignsalesofficeorforexports.

Enterpriseswithfewerthan250employeesthathaveanannualturnovernotexceeding50millioneurosoranannualbalance-sheettotalnotexceeding43millioneuroscanapplyforanInternationalizationLoan.

Bridgefinancingfortheperiodprecedingthepaymentofgrants

Bridgefinancingmeansa loangrantedbyFinnveratomeetacompany’sneedforworkingcapitalduringtheperiod between a positive grant decisionmade by a Centre for Economic Development, Transport and theEnvironment(ELYCentre)orTekes(theFinnishFundingAgencyforInnovation)andtheactualpaymentofthegrant.ELYCentre’sgrantapplicantsmayapplyforbridgefinancingonlyifthegranttheyareapplyingforisadevelopmentgrant.

A prerequisite for a loan by Finnvera is that Tekes or an ELY Centre has made a positive grant decision.Therefore,theBridgeFinancingdecisionwillalwaysbemadeafterthegrantdecision.Themaximumloansumis70%ofthegrant;however,notmorethanEUR500,000forgrantsissuedbyTekes.

Bond Financing Finnveramaymarkbonds issuedbycompanies thatmeet theEUdefinitionofanSMEor largercompanies.Bond financing by Finnvera is well suited for companies' general financing needs, such as investments,expansionanddevelopmentofoperationsandtheorganisationofthefinancingstructure.

Abondisafinancinginstrumentinwhichagroupoflendersorinvestorsmarksabondissuedbyacompanyinneedof a loan. The issuingof abond isorganisedbybanksorotherparties,which charge the costsof theissuing arrangements from the issuing company. Because of their typical features and structure, bonds arebest-suitedforthelargestfinancingneeds.

Finnveramaymarkbondsfromtheissuedate.Finnveramaynotpurchasebondsonthesecondarymarketormake investments in funds investing in bonds. Finnveramaynot account formore than50per cent of theactualmarkings.Noself-financingisrequiredofthecompaniesissuingbonds.

Themarkingsofbondsareatmarketprice.Aspartoftheprojectassessment,Finnveraalsoconductsanormalenterpriseanalysis,whichformsthebasisforitsparticipationintheproject.

Agency Responsible for Support Finnverahttps://www.finnvera.fi

Maximum and minimum funding available Presentedindescriptionsabove.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Finnvera can provide financing for enterprises in almost every sector; only farming, forestry and buildingdeveloper'sbusinessremainoutsideourrangeoffinancing.

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Start Guarantee Link to support information on website https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/node_2686/Guarantees/Start-Guarantee

Type of Finance Support Guaranteefornewenterprises

Description of the support StartGuarantee is intended fornewly launchedenterprisesownedbyprivate individualsandmeet theSMEdefinitionappliedbytheEU.Anothercriterion isthatnomorethanthreeyearshaspassedsincetheirentryintotheTradeRegister.


Maximum and minimum funding available Finnvera’sguaranteecoveragecanbeatmost80%.However, thetotalsumofStartGuaranteesgrantedtooneenterprisemaynotexceedEUR80,000.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Finnveragrantsguaranteestoallbusinesssectorsapartfromtheactualfarmingindustry,forestryandbuildingdeveloper’sbusiness.


Finnvera Guarantee Link to support information on website https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/node_2686/Guarantees/Finnvera-Guarantee

Type of Finance Support FinnveraGuaranteeisforSMEsassecurityfordomesticfinancinginsuchareasasinvestmentsand/orworkingcapitalandbusinessandcompanyacquisitions.

Description of the support Finnvera Guarantee can be used as security for loans and bank guarantees provided by banks, financingcompaniesorinsurancecompaniesinsuchinstrumentsaspromissorynotes,accountswithoverdraftfacility,credit limits, bank guarantees (delivery security and other contingent liabilities), bank guarantee limits(delivery security) and factoring financing. The financing risk is shared by Finnvera and the provider offinancing.FinnveraGuaranteeisusually50percentofthecreditorotherfinancingcommitment.

Agency Responsible for Support Finnverahttps://www.finnvera.fi Maximum and minimum funding available Usually50percentofacreditorsomeotherfinancialcommitment.

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Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Finnveragrantsguaranteestoallbusinesssectorsapartfromtheactualfarmingindustry,forestryandbuildingdeveloper’sbusiness.


Internationalisation Guarantee Link to support information on website https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/node_2686/Guarantees/Internationalisation-Guarantee

Type of Finance Support TheinternationalisationguaranteeservesascollateralforfinancingthebusinessoperationsofaFinnishSMEabroad.

Description of the support Theguaranteemaybeusedwhenasubsidiaryoranaffiliatedcompanyabroadneedsfundingforinvestment,developmentorgrowth.Theguaranteecanalsobeusedtoacquireorincreaseaholding,ortoraisethesharecapital,inasubsidiaryorinanaffiliatedcompanyabroad.Aftertheinvestment,therecipientofthefinancingmustusuallyholdatleast1/5ofthevotingrightsinthecompany.

Tobeeligibleforfinancing,thesubsidiaryoraffiliatedcompanyabroadmustprimarilyengageinproduction,assembly,maintenanceorservice.Financingcannotbeguaranteedmerelytofinanceexports,inotherwords,itcannotbeusedsimplytosetupasalesoffice.

Enterpriseswith fewer than 250 employees that have an annual turnover not exceeding €50million or anannualbalance-sheettotalnotexceeding€43millioncanapplyforaninternationalisationguarantee.


Maximum and minimum funding available Finnvera’sshareofthetotalfundinginaninternationalisationprojectisnegotiatedseparatelyineachcase.



Export Guarantee Link to support information on website https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/node_2686/Guarantees/Export-Guarantee

Type of Finance Support ExportGuaranteesisaninstrumentforcoveringdomesticneedsforcollateralinexports.

Description of the support BymeansofanExportGuarantee,anexportercanacquirepre-deliveryorpost-deliveryfinancingforworkingcapitalfromabank.AnExportGuaranteecanalsoserveascountersecurityforabankwhenabondisgiveninfavourofaforeignbuyer(abidbond,anadvancepaymentbond,aperformancebondorawarrantyperiodbond).

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ExportGuaranteescanbeissuedforthefollowingpurposes:

• provisionoffinancingforpre-deliveryworkingcapitalneedsinexportprojects,suchasfinancingformanufacturingcostsandrawmaterialpurchases

• provisionoffinancingforpost-deliveryworkingcapitalneeds(financingtocoverthebuyer’spaymentperiod

• bondspertainingtodeliverycontracts (bidbonds,advancepaymentbonds,bondsformanufacture,deliveryandwarrantyperiods)

• exportofservices,installation,planning,etc.(constructioncompanies,engineeringoffices)

Nolimitsareappliedtothesizeofeligibleprojects.ExportGuaranteescanalsobeissuedtocompaniesotherthanSMEs.Ingeneral,financingisnotavailableforexportstosubsidiariesorassociatedcompanies.However,iftheexporterisadomesticparentcompanyandtheendclientisabuyeroutsidetheGroup,exportsmayalsotakeplaceviaasubsidiaryoranassociatedcompany.

Norestrictionsareplacedonthebusinesssectorinexportprojects.

LoansandguaranteesgrantedbyFinnveraareconsideredtoincludeStateaidifthepriceanenterprisepaysforthefinancingislowerthanthereferencepricedeterminedbytheEUCommission.Owingtointernationalagreements,however,exportguaranteesmustalwaysbepricedsothattheydonotincludeaid.


Maximum and minimum funding available Finnvera’sguaranteecoversamaximumof80%ofaloanorotherfinancialcommitment.



Environmental Guarantee Link to support information on website https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/node_2686/Guarantees/Environmental-Guarantee

Type of Finance Support EnvironmentalGuaranteescanbegrantedassecurity forcredits thatareusedforenvironmentalprotectioninvestments,renewableenergyprojectsorprojectsimprovingenergyefficiency.

Description of the support EnvironmentalGuaranteeismainlytargetedforlargecompaniesthroughoutFinland.

Suitable uses for the guarantee are, for instance, investments improving water or air protection or therecyclingofwastes, aswell as renewableenergyprojectsundertakenby companies thatneed financing forinvestments in wind power parks, biofuel facilities, thermal power plants utilising forest energy, or othersimilarapplications.TheGuaranteecanhowevernotbegrantedforfinancingthatisusedtomanufacturethedevicesinaforementionedprojects.ForthesepurposesFinnveracanofferotherfinancingproducts.

Theguaranteecanalsobeusedforprojectsintendedtoimproveenergyefficiencyandforthemodifications,repairsorimprovementsrequiredbytheabove-mentionedprojects.

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The guarantee may also be granted for an investment that is carried out abroad but involves substantialimprovementstothestateoftheFinnishenvironment.


Maximum and minimum funding available Finnvera’sguaranteecancoveratmost80percentofthecreditsum.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Yes,buttargetedmainlyforlargecompanies


Other useful/relevant information

Taxation or welfare supports or concessions for businesses Finland has tax concessions for industry and professional horticulture, as well as tax refund for energyintensiveindustry.However,thesearenotdirectlyrelatedtoREorSMEs.

In taxation, excise duties aremuch based on the carbon content of fuels. However, those are not specificsupportsforSMEs.

Soft supports e.g. mentoring, training, specialist advice, networks

Enterprise Finland Link to support information on website https://www.yrityssuomi.fi/en/

Type of Support Informationandserviceportal

Description of the support Free of charge portal that includes information, tools and services for start-ups and existing companies forstarting,growinganddevelopingacompanyandadviceandguidanceoninternationalisation.

Portaldescription:https://www.yrityssuomi.fi/en/tietoa-palvelusta

Agency Responsible for Support MinistryofEmploymentandtheEconomy

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No,itisavailableforallsectors

Is this a local, regional or national support? National,includesalsoregionalinformation

Localofficesprovideaportfolioofservices(establishinganenterprise,businessplanninganddevelopment).TheservicesareavailablelocallyviaNorthKareliaEnterpriseAgency(http://pohjois-

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karjala.uusyrityskeskus.fi/english)andNorthKareliaChamberofCommerce(http://www.nk.chamber.fi/en/frontpage/)

Business Mentors Link to support information on website http://www.yrityskummit.fi/

Type of Support Mentoring

Description of the support Theactivitiesofbusinessmentorsarebasedonvoluntaryworkto improvetheactivitiesofSMEs,bringtacitknow-howandoffer support in order to relief the lack of resources in SMEs. BusinessMentors offer theirssupport and experience free of charge to SMEs.Target group: SMEs in different phases of businessdevelopment and internationalisation e.g. planning import/export, penetrating new markets, creatingcooperationnetworksandfindingcustomers.

Companyselection:AllSMEsinneedofdifferentkingofassistanceinhomemarketandinternationalbusiness.

Business mentors work with local companies in order to support internationalisation. Mentors offercompaniestacitknow-how,practicaladviceandnewnetworksandcontacts.

Agency Responsible for Support www.Yrityskummit.ry

RegionalcontactviaJosekLtd.;KareliaUAShassomeearliercooperationwiththenetwork.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No,mentorshavearangeofexpertise

Is this a local, regional or national support? Nationalnetwork,withregionalmentors/networks

Other useful/relevant information PotentialsynergieswithGREBEEntrepreneurshipEnablerSchemeinFinland.

Product Track Link to support information on website http://tuotevayla.fi/en

Type of Support Expertservice/grantfundingformicro-enterprises

Description of the support Tuoteväylä - Product Track service provides advice, know-how and financing to promising inventions andinnovativebusinessideas

Agency Responsible for Support CentreforEconomicDevelopment,TransportandtheEnvironment.

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Maximum and minimum funding available The maximum aid amount paid to companies for invention development projects accounts for 50% ofapprovedcosts..


Is this a local, regional or national support? National,availableviaregionalCentresforEconomicDevelopment,TransportandtheEnvironment.

Other useful/relevant information Centres for EconomicDevelopment, Transport and theEnvironment advise companies alsoonother issues,suchaslicencing(manufacturingproductsofothercompanies).

The service was developed by the Finnish Inventions Association (Keksintösäätiö) that continues theadvisory/informationactivities.

Yrityspörssi (portal to sell/buy business enterprises) Link to support information on website http://www.yritysporssi.fi/en

Type of Support Portal,informationservice

Description of the support Portalincludesenterprisesforsale,wantedandserviceoffers.

Agency Responsible for Support TheFederationofFinnishEnterprises



Other useful/relevant information TheFederationofFinnishEnterprisesprovidesinformation/advisoryforitsmembers.

Business Transfer Support Link to support information on website http://www.omistajanvaihdosseura.fi/

Type of Support AssociationthatprovidesInformationandadvisoryserviceassistingcompaniesinBusinessTransfers.

Description of the support Asabove.

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Agency Responsible for Support FinnishBusinessTransferSociety



Franchising support Link to support information on website http://www.franchising.fi/etusivu

Type of Support Finnish Franchising Association provides Information, advisory and training services assisting entrepreneursinterestedinFranchisingbusinesses.

Description of the support Asabove.

Agency Responsible for Support FinnishFranchisingAssociation



Training for entrepreneurs Link to support information on website http://www.te-services.fi/te/en/employers/for_entrepreneurs/services_new_entrepreneurs/training_entrepreneurs/index.html

Type of Support Publictrainingservice

Description of the support Careercoaching:

Includes:

- Generalideaofenterprising- Practicalaspectsofsettingupabusinessandworkingasanentrepreneur- Surveysandassessestheparticipants'skillsandcapacitiesforenterprising

Entrepreneurtraining:

Providesbasicinformationabout:

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- entrepreneurships- settingupabusiness- variousaspectsofenterprising,includingfunding,marketing,communications,taxationandfinancial

administration.- Developmentofbusinessideasandbusinessplans

For example, the training provides more in-depth knowledge about funding, accounting and taxation,marketing, the risks of enterprising, and acting as an employer. The aimmay be to develop areas that theentrepreneur findsproblematicand topromotecooperationbetweenenterprises.The trainingmayaim forcompletingafurthervocationalqualificationforentrepreneursoroneofitsmodules.

Agency Responsible for Support TE-Services(publicemploymentandbusinessservices)

http://www.te-services.fi/te/en/index.html


Is this a local, regional or national support? National,deliveredthroughregionalandlocaloffices

Qualification for an Entrepreneur Link to support information on website http://www.pkky.fi/hakijalle/koulutustarjonta/yhteiskuntatieteiden-liiketalouden-ja-hallinnon-ala/liiketalous-ja-kauppa/Sivut/yrittajan-ammattitutkinto.aspx

(onlyinFinnish)

Type of Support Training

Description of the support Trainingforreachingavocationaldegreeofandentrepreneur.

Agency Responsible for Support NorthKareliaMunicipalEducationandTrainingConsortium


Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional/national

Business advisory and development services

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Link to support information on website http://www.pikes.fi/en_GB/web/pikes-en

http://www.josek.fi/eng/

http://www.keti.fi/en/web/ketieng/

Type of Support Expertservices

Description of the support Businessdevelopmentandadvisoryforthecompaniesintheregion.

Agency Responsible for Support • PIKESLtd,• JosekLtd.• KetiLtd.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No,butthereisREexpertiseineachdevelopmentcompany/centre

Is this a local, regional or national support? Local/regional

RE and Business Training and Expert Services Link to support information on website http://www.karelia.fi/en/services/karelia-global-education/our-solutions/bioeconomy-expertise

http://www.karelia.fi/en/services/local-expert-services/energy-and-environment


Description of the support Trainingcourses/expertservices inRE, suchasprocurementofREsolutions/decentralisedenergysolutions,businessdevelopment.

Courseassignments,traineesandthesisworksbothinbusinessandrenewableenergy.

Agency Responsible for Support KareliaUAS

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Yes


Entrepreneurship and Innovation Services of University of Eastern Finland

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Link to support information on website http://www.uef.fi/en/web/kehittamispalvelut/entrepreneurship-and-innovation-services

Type of Support Information/researchtransferintobusiness(inconnectiontotheUEFR&Dactivities)

Description of the support Entrepreneurship and Innovation Services is an organisation of experts supporting and promoting thecommercialisation of research findings and expertise emerging from the University of Eastern Finland.Wework in cooperation with the university's research groups and business and industry in evaluating thecommercialpotentialofresearch,andwefacilitateknowledgetransfertosupportthebirthofnewbusinessactivitiesandentrepreneurship.

Ourservicesrangefromthepromotionofinnovationskillstoinventiondisclosureactivities,fromtheplanningof commercially-oriented research projects to their implementation, from utilisation assessments ofinnovationideastotheprotectionofimmaterialpropertyrightsandtechnologytransferforcommercialuse.We also serve as a link connecting our researchers and aspiring entrepreneurswith business and industry,regionalandnationaldevelopmentandmediatororganisations,andfundersofstart-upcompanies

Agency Responsible for Support UniversityofEasternFinland(www.uef.fi)


Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional/National

Business Incubator Link to support information on website http://www.tiedepuisto.fi/business_development/business_incubator

Type of R&D Support Businessincubator,expertservices

Description of the support Thebusinessincubatorhelpsinimplementingthebusinessideaandguidescompaniesthroughthechallengingearly years into a growth path. Pre-incubator assists in developing the competence, finding the requiredexpertise, customer contacts, partners, financing opportunities, as well as compiling a functional businessmodel. Basing on the business model, incubator services cooperate with entrepreneur in establishing acomprehensivebusinessplan.Thepre-incubatorisfollowedbytheestablishmentofthecompanyandactualincubatorphase,where comprehensive supportand supportingenvironment isprovided for startingup thebusiness.

Thebusiness incubatorcooperatescloselywith theUniversityofeasternFinlandandKareliaUAStoprovidesupportineachspecificarea,suchasmakinginternationalcontacts.

Agency Responsible for Support JoensuuSciencePark

http://www.tiedepuisto.fi/frontpage

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Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional

Joensuu Science Park Business Development Services Link to support information on website http://www.tiedepuisto.fi/business_development

Type of Support Experts/businesssupport

Description of the support JoensuuScienceParkprovidesaportfolioofexpertservicesinbusinessdevelopment,including:

- Situationalanalyses- Businessstrategyservices- Productdevelopmentandinnovationservices- Servicesfordevelopingmarketing,salesandcommunications- Servicesforimprovingprocesses,productivityandmanagement- Roadtointernationalisation

Servicesdescriptionsavailableat:http://www.tiedepuisto.fi/business_development

Agency Responsible for Support JoensuuSciencePark

http://www.tiedepuisto.fi/frontpage

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No,availableforallsectors

Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional/local

Research and Development Supports Workplace Innovations Link to support information on website http://www.tekes.fi/en/funding/companies/organisation-development/

Type of Support Grantfunding

Description of the support Fundingforcompaniestoimproveproductivityandqualityoftheworking-life.

Inordertobefunded,projectsarerequiredto

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- Significantlyimproveproductivityandthequalityofworkinglife- Createnew,innovativewaystooperate- Supportknow-howandinnovation- Beimplementedincooperationbythemanagementandstaff.- Aprojectmusthavewidernoveltyvaluesothatitsresultscanbeutilisedalsoinotherorganisations.

Agency Responsible for Support TEKEShttp://www.tekes.fi/

Maximum and minimum funding available Thefundingcanbeamaximumof50%ofthecostsapprovedfortheproject–notmorethan€100,000.



Development and Piloting Link to support information on website http://www.tekes.fi/en/funding/companies/piloting/

Type of Support Lowinterestloanwithoutcollaterals

Description of the support Fundingforcompaniesrenewingtheirexistingproductsorservices,productionmethodsandbusinessmodels,ordevelopnewones.TEKESprovidesfundingforcompanies'developmentprojectsintheformofaloan.

Theloanisintendedforprojects,wherethecommercialisationoftheproductisnear,orwhereexistingknow-howisbeingappliedforgeneratingnewbusinessactivity.TEKESsharestherisksiftheprojectfailsoritsresultsare unusable for business operations as intended. (In such a case, a proportion of the loan may beretroactivelyconvertedintoagrant).

Pilotingcaninvolve

- Testingof anew innovativeproduct, productionmethod,process,or technology in, for example, aproductionfacility.

- Development and testing of a new innovative operating model or system in real operatingenvironment,forexample,inacitydistrict,traffic,oraspartofcustomercompanies'operations.

- Developmentofanew innovativeserviceandensuring its functionality in thecustomer'soperatingenvironmentandprocesses.

Involvingclientsinthedevelopmentworkandpilotingisbeneficialinallbusinesssectors.Pilotingcanbequick,asisoftenthecaseinthesoftwaredevelopmentsector,oritcaninvolvelongdevelopmentprocesses,suchasthoseintheenergyorprocessingindustries.

PilotingcanbepartoftheR&Dprojectoraseparateproject,forexample,beforethecommercialisationphaseofasolution.

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In Tekes funding, it is important that the piloting is related to demonstrating the functionality of a newinnovativesolution.Theproject’snoveltyvalueisestimatedbycomparingtheresultstoproductsandservicesalreadyonthemarket,orapplicationsandsolutionsinuse.


Maximum and minimum funding available Fundingratesdifferdependingonthecompanysize.ForSMEs'developmentandpilotingprojects,Tekesloanis50/70percentoftheproject'seligibletotalcosts.Theloanis intendedfordevelopmentprojects,whereTekes'sshareoffundingisatleastEUR100,000.

IftheprojectissmallandTekes'sshareoffundingisnomorethanEUR100,000,Tekesmayprovidedeminimisaidfortheproject,coveringupto50percentoftheproject'soverallcosts.

(SME's are small andmedium-sized companies, whose staff headcount is less than 250, turnovermax €50millionorthebalancesheettotalismax€43million.)


Is this a local, regional or national support? National Companies’ Research Projects Link to support information on website http://www.tekes.fi/en/funding/companies/research-and-development/

Type of Support Grantfunding

Description of the support Tekesoffersgrantstocompanies'researchprojects,wherethemainemphasisisoncreatingnewcompetenceandknowledge.Afterthecompanyresearchprojectadditionaldevelopmentisneededtobringaninnovationinto themarket. Companies are encouraged to execute the research project in collaboration with anothercompany or research group. When the partner is a university or a research institute, Tekes requires thatcompanies'needsserveasastartingpointfortheprojectplan.


Maximum and minimum funding available SMEscanreceiveagrantofupto50percentoftheresearchproject'seligibletotalcosts.



Planning for Global Growth

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Link to support information on website http://www.tekes.fi/en/funding/companies/planning-for-global-growth/

Type of Support Grantforyoung/growthcompanies

Description of the support FundingforSME's:

Companies less than5yearsold: youngSMEs capableof rapid international growthareeligible for a grantworthupto75%oftheproject'stotalcostsifthecompany:

- islessthan5yearsold- issmallinsize- hasanewbusinessideawithgenuineinternationalmarketpotential

Tekespays60percentofthegrantafterthefundingdecisionandtherestoncetheprojectreportisapprovedattheendoftheproject.Thecompanymustbeabletofundat least50%oftheprojectcostsfromitsownfunding sources. The maximum Tekes funding for a projects is € 50 000. The Planning for global growthfundingmustcomplywithdeminimistermsandconditions.

Other growth companies:Small andmedium-sized companies that aim at international growth and have acrediblebusiness ideaareeligibletoreceiveaplanningforglobalgrowthgrantworthupto50percenttheproject'stotalcosts.Themaximumamountoffundingunderthedeminimisconditionsis€100000.Insomecases,Tekesmaypayamaximumof60percentofthedeminimisgrantinadvance,afterthefundingdecisionismadeinTekes.

Requirements:

- In order for a company to be eligible for funding itmust have a committed desire for growth andinternationalisation

- Acrediblebusinessideathathasgenuinepotentialforinternationalbusinesssuccess.- The funding is intended to support the development of an area of business operations, a business

idea,productorservicethatisnewtoaspecificmarketandisbasedonahighstandardofexpertiseand/oradvancedtechnology.

- Thecompanymusthavesufficientresources,astrong,qualifiedteam,andanunderstandingof thetargetmarket.

- Keypersonnelwithinthecompanymustbefullycommittedtothecompanyanditsdevelopment.Themainprojectteammustworkwithinthecompanyinquestion.

- Thecompanymusthavesufficientfinancialresourcesandbecapableofcoveringitsowncontributiontowards theexpenses associatedwith theproject.Moreover, the companymust take intoaccountthatTekesgrantsarealwayspaidinarrears,againstactualcostsincurredbytheproject.


Maximum and minimum funding available Fundingratespresentedabove.


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Other useful/relevant information For specific cooperationwithRussia, Finnish-RussianChamberofCommerce (http://www.svkk.fi/ ) providessupportingadvisoryandmarketingservices;andcooperationwithSwedenissupportedbytheFinnish-SwedishChamberofCommerce,FINSVEhttp://finsve.com/.

VTT services Link to support information on website http://www.vttresearch.com/services

Type of Support ResearchandDevelopmentSupport/Cooperation

Description of the support VTT’s services increase the competitiveness of our customers’ businesses, promote the creation of newbusiness,andimproveandspeedupR&D.

Weofferourcustomersaccesstoourcross-disciplinarytechnologicalandbusinessexpertise,uniqueresearchinfrastructure, and comprehensive partnership networks. We create customized solutions in close co-operationwithourcustomers.

Agency Responsible for Support VTT(VTTTechnicalResearchCentreofFinlandLtd.)

www.vtt.fi

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Notonly,butveryrelevant

Is this a local, regional or national support? National,butavailablealsoforenterpriseslocatedinEasternFinland

LUKE services Link to support information on website http://www.luke.fi/en/services/

Type of Support ResearchandDevelopmentSupport/Cooperation

Description of the support LUKE provides research & expert services, testing and production services, as well as IPR andcommercialisationservices.

Agency Responsible for Support NaturalResourcesInstituteFinlandwww.luke.fi

www.luke.fi

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Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Notonly,butveryrelevant.

Is this a local, regional or national support? National,officealsoinJoensuu&NorthKarelia.

Social and Community supports (focused on not for profit) Support for recruitment/Pay subsidy Link to support information on website http://www.te-services.fi/te/en/employers/find_an_employee/support_recruitment/index.html

TypeofSocialEnterprise/CommunityEnterpriseSupport(bespecific)Socialenterpriseshavethesamesupportmeasuresasprivateenterprises.Thereare somedifferences ingetting the support for recruitmentandpaysubsidies. These are related to illness, disability and long-term unemployment of the person recruited.Otherwise,therearenosupportmeasuresinthiscategory.

Other-e.g.Incubationspaceorofficespaceandanythingthatdoesn’tfitinwiththeothercategories- Start Me Up – Business Idea Competition Link to support information on website http://www.tiedepuisto.fi/startmeup_english

Type of Support Businessideacompetitionwithfollowingsupportingmeasures

Description of the support Businessideacompetitionfollowedbyasupportingservicewithbusinessdevelopmentexpertservices.

Agency Responsible for Support JoensuuSciencePark,numberofsupportingpartners

Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure) 1stprize15000€.



Draft Programme Link to support information on website http://draft.karelia.fi/en/

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Type of Support Grantwithconditions(managedbyKareliaUAS)

Description of the support Asupportprogrammeforstudents/staffofKareliaUASandUEF(UniversityofEasternFinland)todevelopnewbusinessideas.

Agency Responsible for Support KareliaUAS/UniversityofEasternFinland

Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure) €4000


Is this a local, regional or national support? Local/Regional

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Iceland What kind of agencies offer support to SMEs? TherearefewdifferentagencieswhichsupportSMEsinIcelande.g..ICI,developmentagenciesinthecountryand other advisory and accounting offices. Each agency has a different role and focuses on businesses ofdifferentsize,potentialorareaoffocus.

There is some variety of supports for enterprise of all kinds in Iceland. These include access to finance,managementdevelopment,mentoringsupports,businessdevelopmentprograms,marketsupportsandtradepromotion.Someofthesesupportinginstitutesarestatesupportedandotherprivateowned.

Is there one agency which is the first place for businesses to go? InIcelandICIplaystheroleofthe‘first-stop-shop’supportserviceformicroandsmallbusinesses.ICIreceivesrevenuesbothfrompublicandprivatepartners.ICIislocatedineachregion.ICIprovidesadviceanddirection,toanyonewhowishestostartorexpandabusiness.ICIcanalsoprovideorpointoutfundingforprojectsthatmeet certain criteria (generally with regard to export potential) and other non-financial supports such astrainingandmentoring.

LocaldevelopmentagenciesalsoplayanimportantroleforSMEs.

Companieswithclearhighgrowthpotentialcanbefast-trackedtothenextlevelofsupportavailablefromICItohelpthemstart,grow,innovateandwinexportsalesinglobalmarketsthroughEnterpriseEuropeNetwork(EEN).PromoteIcelandalsoassists Icelandiccompaniesseekingtogrowinternationallythroughcompetencebuildingprogramsaswellasinternationalevents,suchastradefairs,presstrips,andtradedelegations.Thisisdone in close cooperationwith Icelandicembassies and consulates abroad, aswell asbilateral chambersofcommerce. They canprovide funding, links and supports for companies - fromentrepreneurswithbusinesspropositions for a high potential start-up through to large companies expanding their activities, improvingefficiencyandgrowinginternationalsales.

Is it clear to the SME where they should go for support? ItisnotcleartoSME’swheretogoforsupportinIceland.SMEscanreceivebasicinformationonICIwebpage,theythoughneedabetteronlinetoolwhichsetsoutthevarietyofsupportsavailabletoallenterprisesacrossallsectors.

Are business supports restricted to certain types of business, or enhanced for certain types of SMEs (e.g. only available for manufacturing or for exporters)? Thereisaparticularfocusonresearchanddevelopmentandonbusinesseswithexportpotential.

Are there special supports for RE businesses? Iceland is in a unique position, about 85% of total primary energy consumption in Iceland is derived fromdomesticallyproducedrenewableenergyresource.TherearespecificresearchanddevelopmentfundforREownedbythegovernment.

Business supportsavailable in Icelandaredescribed inmoredetail in thecomingpagesunder the followingthemes:


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Financial Support (grants, loans, equity investment) Energy Fund Link to support information on website http://www.orkustofnun.is/orkustofnun/rad-og-nefndir/orkusjodur/

Type of Finance Support Grant

Description of the support Provides funding for specific projects in the field of efficient energy use, including for education andinformativeprojects. The fundalsoprovides funding forprojects thatpromotes theuseofdomesticenergyinsteadoffossilfuelsandstrengtheninternationalcooperationinsuchprojects.

Agency Responsible for Support Orkustofnun(NationalenergyAuthority)

www.orkustofnun.is

Maximum and minimum funding available 50%ofcostiseligible


Is this a local, regional or national support? Nationalsupport

Geothermal prospecting Link to support information on website http://www.orkustofnun.is/orkustofnun/rad-og-nefndir/orkusjodur/

Type of Finance Support Loans

Description of the support Themainpurposeofthefundistopromotethefurtheruseofgeothermalenergyforheatinginthecountrywith theaimof improving livingconditionsand increasingaccess to thequalityandpotentialofgeothermalentail and to reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating and reduce the cost of the subsidies (from thegovernment)forheatingincoldareas.


http://www.orkustofnun.is/

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Maximum and minimum funding available Upto60%oftotalcost



Rannsóknarstyrkir Orkusjóðs (National energy authority research grants) Link to support information on website http://www.orkustofnun.is/orkustofnun/umsoknir/rannsoknarstyrkir-orkusjods/


Description of the support Researchgrantsfor:

- cost-effectiveenergyefficiencyandenergysaving- domesticenergyandalternativefuelsandfossilfuelsavings- theacquisitionofknowledgeintheseareasandsharing- research,developmentandcooperationtothisaim- jobcreationinthesefields


www.orkustofnun.is

Maximum and minimum funding available No



Grants for district heating Link to support information on website http://www.os.is/orkustofnun/umsoknir/eingreidslur/

Type of Finance Support Subsidies

Description of the support Grantsforprojectinrenewableenergyandsustainablefisheries.Thegoalistosupportinnovationinthatfield.

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Subsidies for using green energy f.exp heat pumpswith the objective to save energy and improved energyefficiencyofhouseheating:


www.orkustofnun.is



Frumkvöðlasjóður Íslandsbanka Link to support information on website https://www.islandsbanki.is/um-islandsbanka/samfelagsleg-abyrgd/frumkvodlasjodur/


Description of the support Grantsforprojectinrenewableenergyandsustainablefisheries.Thegoalistosupportinnovationinthatfield.

Agency Responsible for Support Íslandsbanki

www.isb.is


Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Yesandsustainablefisheries


Átak til atvinnusköpunar Link to support information on website http://nmi.is/studningur/styrkir/atak-til-atvinnuskoepunar/


Description of the support Átak til atvinnusköpunar is a fund for small innovation projects and marketing actions especially forentrepreneursandSMEs.

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Agency Responsible for Support InnovationcenterIceland

www.nmi.is



Is this a local, regional or national support? Nationalsupport Tækniþróunarsjóður (Technology Development fund) Link to support information on website http://en.rannis.is/funding/research/technology-development-fund/nr/545


Description of the support The role of the fund is to support research and development activities, which aim towards innovation inIcelandicindustry.TheTechnologyDevelopmentFundisacompetitivefundwhichissuesitscallsforproposalstwiceayear.

Agency Responsible for Support Rannis(TheIcelandicCenreforResearch)

www.rannis.is

Maximum and minimum funding available ThemaximumcontributiontowardsprojectscanamounttoatotalofuptoISK45millionforaperiodofthreeyears; ISK 30millionduring two years or ISK 15millionduringone year,which canbe variously distributedduringtheyearsofsupport,dependingontheprogressoftheprojectanditsfundingrequirements.Uptoonethirdofthetotalgrantcanusedformarketpurposes(seetheIcelandicrulesfordefinitionofallowedprojectparts)Applicants’matchingcontributionof50%isrequired.Supportlastinguptothreeyearsmaybeappliedfor, although the fund’sboardofdirectorsonly confirmsagrant foroneyearat a time.Continued supportdependsonprogressandthefulfilmentofcontractuallyagreedresults.



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Icelandic student Innovation fund Link to support information on website https://en.rannis.is/funding/research/icelandic-student-innovation-fund/nr/570


Description of the support The goal of the Icelandic Student Innovation Fund is to provide an opportunity for universities, researchinstitutionsandcompaniestorecruitstudents,ingraduateandpostgraduatestudies,toundertakeambitiousandchallengingresearchprojectsduringthesummertime.

Agency Responsible for Support Rannis(TheIcelandicCentreforResearch)

www.rannis.is

Maximum and minimum funding available The grant is presented in the form of monthly grants for the student, but the company or the relevantsupervisoristosupplyfacilitiesandpaymaterialcost.Thefundmonitorstheprogressoftheprojectoverthesummer,whilstthesupervisorisresponsiblefortheactualexecutionoftheprojectandthedeliveringofafinalreportattheendofthesummer.



Uppbyggingarsjóður (structural fund for each region in Iceland) Link to support information on website

- http://www.eything.is/menningarrad/uppbyggingarsjodur- http://www.vestfirdir.is/Uppbyggingarsjodur/- http://www.austurbru.is/is/uppbyggingarsjodur-austurlands-1- http://www.sass.is/radgjof-2/styrkir-til-eflingar-atvinnulifs-og-nyskopunar-2/- http://www.atthing.is/uppbyggingarsjodur/- http://www.menningarviti.is/default.asp?sid_id=61499&tre_rod=002|&tId=11- http://sss.is/starfsemi/uppbyggingarsjodur- http://www.ssnv.is/is/uppbyggingarsjodur


Description of the support These grants are in all regions of Iceland. Innovation projects as well as cultural project are funded. Thefundingofthegrantscomesfromthegovernmentbutareallocatedlocally(orineachregionofIceland).

Agency Responsible for Support MinistryofIndustriesandinnovation

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www.atvinnuvegaraduneyti.is



Is this a local, regional or national support? Regionalsupport

Taxation or welfare supports or concessions for businesses Skattafrádráttur rannsókna- og þróunarverkefna (tax deduction for research and development projects). Link to support information on website https://www.rannis.is/sjodir/atvinnulif/skattfradrattur/

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support (be specific) Taxation.

Description of the support CompaniesthathavereceivedconfirmationRannísofresearchordevelopmentprojecthavetherighttotaxdeduction.

Taxdeduction isbasedonan eachproject..Acompany thatownsa researchanddevelopmentprojectareentitledtodeductionfromtheassessedincometaxofupto20%oftheexpensesincurredfortheseprojects.ThemaximumexpensesforcalculationforeachcompanyisISK100,000,000inoperatingyear.

Agency Responsible for Support Rannis(TheIcelandicCentreforResearch)

www.rannis.is

Maximum and minimum funding available Upto20%ofincometax.MaximumexpensesfortaxdeductionforeachprojectisISK100,000,000



Other useful/relevant information https://www.rannis.is/media/skattaivilnun/Handbok_mars15.pdf

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Soft supports

Start up energy Link to support information on website http://www.startupenergyreykjavik.com/en/

Type of Support Mentoringprogram

Description of the support StartupEnergyReykjavikisamentorship-drivenseedstageinvestmentprogramwithfocusonenergyrelatedbusinessprojects.

Agency Responsible for Support KlakInnovit(Icelandicstart-ups)

http://www.icelandicstartups.com/

Maximum and minimum funding available Notapplicable



Konur í orkumálum – Women Network in Energy Link to support information on website https://www.facebook.com/Konur-%C3%AD-orkum%C3%A1lum-259616860889418/?fref=ts

Type of Support Network

Description of the support Thisisanetworkforwomenintheenergybusiness.

Agency Responsible for Support Communityonfacebook.

https://www.facebook.com/Konur-%C3%AD-orkum%C3%A1lum-259616860889418/?fref=ts

Maximum and minimum funding available Notapplicable



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Samband sveitarfélaga á köldum svæðum – Associationofmunicipalitiesoncoldareas

Link to support information on website http://ssks.is/

Type of Support Network

Description of the support Thenetworkaims:

- workingtodecreaseenergycostsforheating"coldareas"- topromote(further)geothermalprospecting- togatherandshareinformationinenergytoitsmembers- topromotepublicawarenessofwaysofsaveenergy.- The network consist of 37 municipalities in Iceland where heating cost is high and no useable

geothermal.

Agency Responsible for Support Sambandsveitarfélagaáköldumsvæðum(Associationofmunicipalitiesoncoldareas)

www.skss.is

Maximum and minimum funding available Nofunding.Networkandlobbying.



Iceland geothermal Link to support information on website http://www.icelandgeothermal.is/

Type of Support Cluster

Description of the support IcelandGeothermal is aplatformwhereyou canaccessall general informationaboutgeothermalenergy inIcelandandleadsyoutotherightcoordinatorifyouarebuildingupinfrastructureorbusinessinrelationtotheresourceofgeothermal.

IcelandGeothermalisanon-profitorganisationthatwasestablishedinFebruary2013.IGisanindustrydrivencluster cooperation partnership which focuses on the field of geothermal energy. The Iceland GeothermalClusterInitiativewasfoundedby43diversemembers,includingcompanies,associationsandinstitutions.

Agency Responsible for Support Icelandgeothermal

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www.icelandgeothermal.is

Maximum and minimum funding available Notrelevant



Research and Development supports Icelandic Research Fund Link to support information on website https://en.rannis.is/funding/research/icelandic-research-fund/nr/527

Type of R&D Support Granttypes

• Projectgrants• Grantofexcellence• Postdoctoralfellowship• Doctoralstudentgrant

Description of the support TheIRFawardsfundingtoresearchstudentsanddefinedresearchprojectsledbyindividuals,researchteams,universities,researchinstitutes,andcompanies.

Agency Responsible for Support TheIcelandicCentreforResearchwww.rannis.isIs this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No


Other useful/relevant information https://en.rannis.is/media/rannsoknasjodur/IRF-Handbook-2016.pdf

Other

Incubation spaces Link to support information on website http://nmi.is/studningur/frumkvoedlasetur/

Type of Support Incubationsspaces.

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Description of the support Leasingofofficespace/deskona lowfee.Access tomeeting facilities, facilities forworkshops, researchandprototypeconstructionetc.

ProfessionaladviceandsupportfromexpertsInnovationCentre

Creativeenvironmentandpowerfulnetwork

Lecturesandworkshopsonrelevantfactorsintheentrepreneurialenvironment.

Agency Responsible for Support InnovationCenterIceland

www.nmi.is


Is this a local, regional or national support? Local

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Ireland What kind of agencies offer support to SMEs? ThereareanumberofdifferentagencieswhichsupportSMEsinIreland.Eachagencyhasadifferentroleandfocusesonbusinessesofdifferent size,potentialorareaof focus. Although thebusiness support system islargelyfundedandorganizedthroughcentralgovernmentthereareaseriesoflocalofficeswhichprovidethesupporttolocalbusinesses.

ThereisarangeofsupportsforenterpriseofallkindsinIreland.Theseincludeaccesstofinance,managementdevelopment,mentoringsupports,businessdevelopmentprogrammes,marketsupportsandtradepromotion.

Is there one agency which is the first place for businesses to go? The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs, https://www.localenterprise.ie/ ) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ state supportserviceformicroandsmallbusinessesineachlocalarea.TheLEOsprovideadviceanddirection,coveringallgovernmentsupportsandrequirements, toanyonewhowishes tostartorexpandabusiness.TheLEOscanalso provide funding for projects thatmeet certain criteria (generally with regard to export potential) andothernon-financialsupportssuchastrainingandmentoring.

Companieswith clear high growth potential can be fast-tracked to the next level of support available fromEnterpriseIreland(https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/)whichworksinpartnershipwithIrishenterprisestohelpthemstart,grow,innovateandwinexportsalesinglobalmarkets.Theyprovidefundingandsupportsforcompanies-fromentrepreneurswithbusinesspropositionsforahighpotentialstart-upthroughtolargecompaniesexpandingtheiractivities,improvingefficiencyandgrowinginternationalsales.

Microfinance Irelandprovides support in the formof loans forup to€25,000, available tomicroenterprisesemploying less than 10 people, with viable business propositions, that do not meet the conventional riskcriteriaappliedbybanks.

There are also a variety of state backed equity investment funds including theWDC SME investment fund(http://www.wdc.ie/wdc-investment-fund/sme-investment-fund/ )which operates in Ireland’s WesternRegion.

Supports are also available for businesses from LEADER under theNational Rural Development Programme2014-2020 (http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ruralenvironment/ruraldevelopmentprogrammerdp2014-2020/).LEADERisimplementedatalocalareathroughtheLocalDevelopmentStrategy(LDS)whichoutlinesarangeofActionswhichwillbedeliveredunderthreemainthemesoneofwhichisRuralEnvironmentwhichincludesthedevelopmentofrenewableenergy.

Is it clear to the SME where they should go for support? Anonlinetoolwhichsetsoutthevarietyofsupportsavailabletoallenterprisesacrossallsectorsisembeddedorlinkedtoover30GovernmentwebsitesincludingDepartmentofEnterprise,JobsandInnovationwebsiteandthewebsitesoftheLocalEnterpriseOfficesandEnterpriseIreland.http://www.supportingsmes.ie/businessdetails.aspx

Are business supports restricted to certain types of business, or enhanced for certain types of SMEs (e.g. only available for manufacturing or for exporters)? Thereisaparticularfocusonmanufacturingandonbusinesseswithexportpotential.

Are there special supports for RE businesses? TherearespecificresearchanddevelopmentgrantsavailablefromtheSustainableEnergyAuthorityofIreland(SEAI)butthereisthereislittledirectsupportspecificallyforrenewableenergybusinessesinIreland(although

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there are a number of demand and supply side supports aimed at stimulating themarket (seehere link toWP3.1formoreinformation).

BusinesssupportsavailableintheRepublicofIrelandaredescribedinmoredetailinthecomingpagesunderthefollowingthemes:


Financial Support (grants, loans, equity investment) Micro Enterprise Loan Fund Link to support information on website http://www.microfinanceireland.ie

Type of Finance Support Loan

Description of the support MicrofinanceIrelandisaGovernmentinitiativeprovidingloansfrom€2kto€25ktocommerciallyviablestart-up,newlyestablishedorgrowingmicroenterprisesthathavebeendeclinedcreditbythebanks.

Agency Responsible for Support MicroFinanceIreland

Maximum and minimum funding available €2kto€25k



Credit Guarantee Scheme Link to support information on website https://www.djei.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/Access-to-Finance/SME-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme/ Type of Finance Support LoanGuarantee

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Description of the support ThisGovernment schemeenables the State, in certain circumstances, to act as a guarantor to thebank foryour loanapplication.Thepurposeof thescheme is toguaranteecommerciallyviableSMEs thathavebeendeclinedcreditduetoinadequatecollateraland/orlackofunderstandingofthebusinessmodel.

Agency Responsible for Support DepartmentofJobs,EnterpriseandInnovation

Maximum and minimum funding available Theminimumpermissible loanvalue is€10,000and themaximum is€1millionperborrower.EachSchemelenderhas theoption to set their ownhigherminimumamounts or lowermaximumamountswithin theselimits. For more information see https://www.djei.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/Access-to-Finance/SME-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme/


Is this a local, regional or national support? National Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Investment and Working Capital Loans Link to support information on website http://sbci.gov.ie/products/sbci-investment-working-capital-loan Type of Finance Support InvestmentandworkingCapitalLoans

Description of the support The followingproduct featuresareavailable throughthepartnerOn-LenderswithSBCI’ssupport, subject tothefinancialinstitutions’owncreditpoliciesandprocedures.

WithSBCIprovidinglowcostfundingtoeligibleSMEs,theseproductswilldeliverthefollowingbenefits:

• Lowerinterestrates• Availableforbothinvestmentandworkingcapitalpurposes• Minimumloanmaturityof2years• Loanamountsupto€5m

Inaddition,subjecttothefinancialinstitutions’creditpoliciesandprocedures,thefollowingfeaturesmayalsobeavailabletoqualifyingSMEs:

• Repaymentscheduleflexibility• Loanmaturityofupto10years• Facilitymaturitytailoredtocorrespondwithinvestmentlifecycle

Agency Responsible for Support StrategicBankingCorporationofIreland

Maximum and minimum funding available Loanamountsupto€5m

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Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Refinance of Exiting Banks Link to support information on website http://sbci.gov.ie/products/re-finance

Type of Finance Support Loan-RefinanceofExitingBanks

Description of the support ThisproductaimstofacilitatethoseSMEswhosecurrentbankloanfacilitiesoriginatedwithbanks,whichareexiting the Irishmarket. The following product features are available through the partner On-LenderswithSBCI’ssupport,subjecttothefinancialinstitutions’owncreditpoliciesandprocedures.

• AvailabletoeligibleSMEswhosecurrentfacilitiesoriginatedwithabankwhichisexitingorhasexitedthe Irishmarket, i.e. ACCBank,Danske Bank, Lloyds / Bank of Scotland Ireland, IrishNationwide /IBRC,AngloIrishBank/IBRC.

• Lowerinterestrates• Loanamountsupto€5m• Minimumloanmaturityof2years• Loansmayalsocoverinvestmentandworkingcapitalpurposes


Maximum and minimum funding available Loanamountsupto€5m



Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) - Leasing and Hire Purchase Link to support information on website http://sbci.gov.ie/products/leasing-and-hire-purchase Type of Finance Support LeasingandHirePurchase

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Description of the support SME leasingoffers flexible asset finance funding solutions, including leasingandhirepurchase (HP)thatwillallowSMEsfinanceassetsincludingcars,commercialvehicles,plantandmachinery.

Leasetermsareusuallybetween2to5yearsandprovidetheSMEwithfixedmonthlyrentalpaymentsfortheterm.InadditionpaymentsmaybeV.A.T.deductiblewhereregisteredandwhereapplicable.

How does it work? Leasingisanarrangementwherebytheleasingcompanybuystheassetsyourbusinessneedsandleasesthemto youover a givenperiod (usually 2–5 years). In thisway youareacquiring theuseof theassetwithoutputtingyourcashflowunderextrapressure.Attheendoftheleaseperiodyoucaneitherextendtheleaseorbuytheassetoutright(termsandconditionsapply).

Hire Purchase Hirepurchaseis anagreementwhereby fixedplant /equipment / vehiclesarepurchasedby the leasing/HPCompanyonbehalfofthecustomerandhiredforanagreedterm.

Oncompletionoftheterm,ownershippassestothecustomerforanominalsum.

How does it work? AhirepurchaseagreementisdrawnupandsignedbythehireronbehalfLeasing/HPCompany.

Termsusuallyrangefrom2–5years.

Theassetmaybepurchasedforanominalamountattheendoftheagreedterm.

Contract Hire Agreements (Vehicle Leasing) ContracthirefacilitiestoSMEs

• Rent/hireavehicleforasetmonthlypaymentoverafixedperiod• Contracthiretermsover3or4years• Lowermonthlypaymentthanhirepurchaseorlease• Monthlyrentaltakesintoaccounttheestimatedresidualvalueattheendofthetermsothereisno

requirementfortheusertopaytheentirecapitalcost• contracthireagreementscanincludemaintenancepackages

How does it work? ContracthireisanarrangementwherebytheleasingcompanybuysthevehiclesandinturnhiresthemouttoSMEsoveratermwithanagreedresidualvaluedependingmainlyonterm,mileage/usageandresalevalue.The key benefits of contract hire are that the monthly payments are fixed, the maintenance contractisoptionalandthereislowerinitialoutlay/depositandnodepreciationriskonthevehicleforthecompany.

Rental Agreements (Vendor Finance) Rental agreements are leasing facilities available for approved office equipment suppliers to enable SME’sfinancephotocopiers,printers,telecommunicationequipmentandbusinessequipmentingeneral.

Leasingfacilitiesfordentalandspecialisedmedicalequipmentisalsoavailable.

• Leasetermsover2–5years• Fixedmonthly/quarterlyrental• Maintenancepackageavailable• V.A.T.deductiblewhereapplicable

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How does it work? SMEs arrange finance via their own office equipment suppliers who act as intermediaries with the leasingcompany.




Seed & Venture Capital Programme Link to support information on website http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Invest-in-Emerging-Companies/Seed-and-Venture-Capital-Scheme/

Type of Finance Support Equity(seedanVC)

Description of the support The2013-2018Seed&VCSchemeimprovesaccesstofinanceforSMEsandtofurtherdeveloptheSeed&VCindustryinIreland

Agency Responsible for Support EnterpriseIrelandwww.enterprise-ireland.com



Other useful/relevant information AvailableforStartups

Competitive Start Fund Link to support information on website http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/company/hpsu-funding/competitive-start-fund-csf-.html

Type of Finance Support Grant/Fund

Description of the support Thisfundworkstoacceleratethegrowthofstart-upcompaniesthathavethecapabilitytosucceedinglobalmarkets.

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Thepurposeof theCompetitiveStart Fund is toaccelerate thegrowthof start-upcompanies thathave thecapabilitytosucceedinglobalmarkets.Thefundisdesignedtoenablethosecompaniesreachkeycommercialandtechnicalmilestones,forexample:

• Evaluate overseas market opportunities and reach firm conclusions regarding the viability of theproposedbusiness.

• Buildaprototype.• Secureareferencesite.• Developamarketentryplanforexploitinginternationalopportunities.• Securepartnershipdealorstrategicalliance.• Identifysuitablechannelstointernationalmarkets.• Securethirdpartyinvestmente.g.businessangel,VentureCapital.

All applications to the Competitive Start Fund must be made via the Enterprise Ireland online applicationsystemduringcallopendates.

Agency Responsible for Support EnterpriseIrelandwww.enterpriseireland.com



Priming grants Link to support information on website https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Priming-Grant/


Description of the support Priminggrants

https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Priming-Grant/

These grants are for sole traders, partnerships, community or limited companies to develop develop theirbusinesses.Finance issubjecttoeligibilitycriteriawhichyouwillneedtodiscussfurtherwithyour localLEOOffice.

Agency Responsible for Support LocalEnterpriseOffice(LEO)www.localenterprise.ie

https://www.localenterprise.ie/Find-Your-Local-Enterprise-Office/

Maximum and minimum funding available n/a


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Is this a local, regional or national support? Administeredlocallybutavailablecountywide

Business Expansion Grant Link to support information on website https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Business-Expansion-Grant/

Type of Finance Support Grantsandloans

Description of the support BusinessExpansionGrant

https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Business-Expansion-Grant/

Thisgrant istohelpsupportdomesticallytradedmanufacturingandservicebusinesseswiththepotentialtotradeinternationally.

Agency Responsible for Support Localenterpriseoffice




Is this a local, regional or national support? Administeredlocallybutavailablecountywide Feasibility/Innovation Grant Link to support information on website https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Feasibility-Grant/

Type of Finance Support Grantsandloans

Description of the support Feasibility/InnovationGrant

https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Feasibility-Grant/

Thesegrantsaredesignedtoassistwithresearchingmarketdemandforaproductorserviceandexaminingitssustainability.


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Is this a local, regional or national support? Administeredlocallybutavailablecountywide Microfinance LEO Loans Link to support information on website http://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Microfinance-Loans/

Type of Finance Support Loan

Description of the support MicrofinanceLEOLoans

http://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Microfinance-Loans/

Loansareprovidedfrom€2,000upto€25,000, from3to5years,withflexibilityonrepaymenttermsandareducedinterestrateforLEOclients.



Maximum and minimum funding available €2,000to€25,000



REFIT Schemes and Supports Link to support information on website http://www.dccae.gov.ie/energy/en-ie/Renewable-Energy/Pages/Refit-Schemes-Landing-Page.aspx

Type of Support FeedinTariff

Description of the support The Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) schemes/supports are funded by the Public ServiceObligation(PSO)whichispaidforbyallelectricityconsumers.TheREFITschemeshavebeendesignedtoincentivisethe

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developmentofrenewableelectricitygenerationinordertoensureIrelandmeetsitsgoalof40%ofelectricitycomingfromrenewablesourcesby2020.

MoreinformationontheREFITSchemes FrequentlyAskedQuestions(PDF0.3MB)

Reference PricesSection 5.2 of the Terms and Conditions of the three REFIT schemes provide for adjustments to referencepricesbywayofannualindexationusingtheannualpercentagechangeintheConsumerPriceIndexasquotedby the Central Statistics Office, which you can find on their website.

Moreinformationon referenceprices(PDF0.2MB)for2015,ineuropermegawatthour.

Moreinformationon 2016referenceprices(PDF0.2MB)forREFIT

REFIT 1 RenewableEnergyFeedinTariff(REFIT)1,wastheoriginalREFITScheme,whichwasopenforapplicationuntil31December2009

SeemoreinformationonREFIT1

REFIT 2 RenewableEnergyFeedinTariff(REFIT)2cameintooperationinMarch2012

SeemoreinformationonREFIT2

REFIT 3 RenewableEnergyFeed inTariff (REFIT)3wasdesigned to incentivise theadditionof310MWofbioenergycapacitytotheIrishGrid.

SeemoreinformationonREFIT3 Agency Responsible for Support DepartmentofCommunications,ClimateActionandEnvironmenthttp://www.dccae.gov.ie/



Other useful/relevant information The current REFIT schemes are now closed as of 31December 2015. TheDepartmentwill no longeracceptapplications

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New Renewable Electricity Support Schemes TheDepartmentofCommunications,EnergyandNaturalResources isdevelopinganewsupportschemeforrenewableelectricity.

Moreonthenewsupportscheme

FurtherinformationonthenewschemeswillbeavailableontheGREBESupportstool

Competitive Feasibility Fund Link to support information on website http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/EI_Corporate/en/funding-supports/Company/HPSU-Funding/Competitive-Feasibility-Fund-CFF-.html

Type of Finance Support Grant/competitive

Description of the support Thisisafundtoassistanewstartupcompanyorindividualentrepreneurtoinvestigatetheviabilityofanewsignificantgrowthorientatedbusiness.



Is this a local, regional or national support? National Western Investment Fund for SMEs Link to support information on website http://www.wdc.ie/wdc-investment-fund/

Type of Finance Support Loansandequity

Description of the support ThisInvestmentFundprovidesloansandequitytohighgrowthenterprises.IthasalreadyfundedprojectsinareassuchasbioICT,medicaldevices,ICT,hightechmanufacturing,foodandtourism.

Agency Responsible for Support WesternDevelopmentCommissionwww.wdc.ie


Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional-operatedbyaregionaldevelopmentagency

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Business Angel Finance Link to support information on website http://www.intertradeireland.com/equity-old/businessangelfinance/

www.hban.org

Type of Finance Support Equityinvestment

Description of the support ThroughBusinessAngel Finance,highnetworth individualsor syndicates investup to€1million forusuallybetween3and7yearsinreturnforequitystakeinyourbusiness.

Agency Responsible for Support IntertradeIrelandwww.intertradeireland.com

Maximum and minimum funding available Upto€1m


Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional/crossborder

Innovative HPSU Fund (Equity) Link to support information on website http://www.enterpriseireland.ie/en/Funding-Supports/Company/HPSU-Funding/Innovative-HPSU-fund.html

Type of Finance Support Equity

Description of the support Enterprise Irelandoffersequity investmenttohighpotentialstart-up(HPSU)clients,onaco-fundedbasistosupporttheimplementationofcompanybusinessplans.




Other useful/relevant information StartUp

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Taxation or welfare supports or concessions for businesses Startup Relief for Entrepreneurs (SURE) Link to support information on website http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it15.html

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support Taxrelief

Description of the support StartupRefundsforEntrepreneurs(SURE)isataxreliefincentivescheme.Ifyouareinterestedinstartingyourowncompany,youmaybeentitledtoanincometaxrefundofupto41%ofthecapitalthatyouinvest.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it15.html

Agency Responsible for Support RevenueCommissioners

http://www.revenue.ie/en/business/running/initiatives-smes.html




Employment and Investment Scheme Link to support information on website http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it55.html


Description of the support TheEmploymentandInvestmentIncentiveSchemeoffersinvestorsupto41%taxreliefontheirtotalincomeinreturnforinvestinginnewordinarysharesinqualifyingSMEsforathreeyearinvestmentperiod

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it55.html




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Tax Relief for new start-up companies Link to support information on website http://www.revenue.ie/en/practitioner/tax-briefing/2013/no-022013.html


Description of the support A tax relief from Corporation Tax can be available for new start-up companies who have a corporate taxliabilityoflessthan€40,000,subjecttocertainconditionsbeingmet.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/practitioner/tax-briefing/2013/no-022013.html






Research & Development Tax Credits Link to support information on website http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/ct/research-development.html


Description of the support A tax relief from Corporation Tax can be available for companies engaged in high value add Research &Development('R&D')activities.TheR&DTaxCreditgivesacompanya25%taxcreditfortheirexpenditureonqualifyingR&Dinagivenyear.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/ct/research-development.html


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VAT measures to reduce burden on SMEs Link to support information on website http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/index.html


Type of Taxation or Welfare Support VATmeasures

Description of the support AnumberofVATmeasuresfacilitatesmallbusinessesincludinga)increasingthecashaccountingthresholdto€2m,b)retainingthe9%VATrate,c)non-registrationorreducedVATfilingforbusinesseswithlowturnover.Thesemeasuresaimtoassistcashflow,reduceadministrativeburdenandencourageemployment.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/index.html





The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme Link to support information on website http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Back-to-Work-Enterprise-Allowance-Self-Employed.aspx

www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/sw92.pdf

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support SocialWelfareSupport

Description of the support Allowsthoseembarkingonselfemploymenttoretainsomeexistingwelfarebenefitswhilesettingupanewbusiness.Ifyouaregettingcertainsocialwelfarepaymentsandyouwouldliketobecomeself-employed,the

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BacktoWorkEnterpriseAllowance(BTWEA)allowsyoutokeepaportionofyoursocialwelfarepaymentfor2years.

Agency Responsible for Support DepartmentofSocialProtection

http://www.welfare.ieIs this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No


JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme Link to support information on website www.jobbridge.ie

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support WelfareSupport

Description of the support JobBridgeprovidesworkexperienceplacementsforinternsfora6or9monthperiod.Internswillreceiveanallowance of €50 perweek on top of their existing socialwelfare entitlement. Thiswill be payable for theperiodoftheinternshipbytheDepartmentofSocialProtection.Thereisnocosttoanemployerinprovidingthis internship as the Department would continue to pay the person their social welfare payment plus aweeklytop-upof€50whileontheinternship

Agency Responsible for Support TheschemeisadministeredbySolas/FASonbehalfoftheDept.ofSocialProtection.



JobsPlus Link to support information on website www.jobsplus.ie

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support WelfareSupport

Description of the support JobsPlus is an employer incentive which encourages and rewards employers who offer employmentopportunitiestojobseekersontheLiveRegister.JobsPlusisasimpleschemeforemployerstoaccess,offeringupto€10,000foraqualifyingrecruit,payableonamonthlybasisoveratwoyearperiod.Theemploymentyouprovidemustbeforatleast30hoursperweekandmustspanaminimumof4daysineachweek

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Agency Responsible for Support DepartmentofSocialProtection

Maximum and minimum funding available Max€10,000



Soft supports e.g. mentoring, training, specialist advice, networks

Accelerate Management Development Programme Link to support information on website https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Training-Programmes/Start-Your-Own-Business-Programme/

Description of the support This programme provides business owners/managerswith themanagement, leadership, business skills andknowledgetoachievesustainabilityandgrowthintheirbusiness.





Access to EU Programmes, EU Finance and EU Markets Link to support information on website http://www.een-ireland.ie/

Type of Support Advice

Description of the support TheEnterpriseEuropeNetworkassistsSMEswhoarelookingforEUProgrammesandSupports.TheNetworkorganises international brokerage events and provides a central database for SMEs to offer, or search for,businessopportunities,technologytransferandlicensingdealsintheEUandinmanyothercountries.


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Horizon 2020 Supports Link to support information on website http://www.intertradeireland.com/horizon2020/

Type of Support Advice

Description of the support AimedathelpingcompaniesandresearchersfromIrelandandNorthernIrelandcollaborateinHorizon2020.InterTrade Irelandoffersasuiteofsupportsandvouchersspecificallydesignedto facilitate thisNorthSouthcollaborationandtoincreaseparticipationintheHorizon2020fundingscheme.





New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme Link to support information on website http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Start-a-Business-in-Ireland/Supports-for-High-Potential-Start-Ups/New-Frontiers-Entrepreneur-Development-Programme.html

Type of Support Entrepreneur/personaldevelopment

Description of the support This is a national Incubation programme that offers successful applications a package of supports to helpacceleratebusinessgrowthandequipindividualwiththeskillstostartandgrowtheircompany.



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Training Networks Programme (TNP) Link to support information on website http://www.skillnets.ie/training-networks

http://www.skillnets.ie/companies


Description of the support JoinaSkillnetstrainingnetworktobenefitfromhighqualitytrainingthatissubsidised,relevanttoyourneeds,anddeliveredatatimeandinalocationthatsuitsyourbusiness.

Agency Responsible for Support Skillnets

www.skillnets.ie


Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No,buttherecouldbeanREnetwork

Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional/Local

Management Works Programme Link to support information on website http://www.managementworks.ie

Type of Support Trainingandmentoring

Description of the support Subsidisedmanagementdevelopmenttrainingandmentoringprogrammeavailabletobusinessesinallsectorstoassistthemtogrowintermsoftheirsales,outputandemployment.

Agency Responsible for Support Skillnets

http://www.managementworks.ie

www.skillnets.ie

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Trade Accelerator Vouchers Link to support information on website http://www.intertradeireland.com/businessfundingservices/fundingandprogrammeinformation/tradeacceleratorvouchers/

Type of Support Vouchersforbusinessservicesandmarketresearch

Description of the support These vouchers provide financial support towards professional advice such as financial and legal. Thesevoucherscanalsobeusedformarketresearchtoscopepotentialbusinessinoppositejurisdiction.




Start Your Own Business Programme Link to support information on website https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Training-Programmes/Start-Your-Own-Business-Programme/

Type of Support Trainingandadvice

Description of the support Thisprogrammeisforpeoplewhohaveabusinessideaandwanttoassessitsviabilityanddecidewhethertoproceed.

Agency Responsible for Support Localenterpriseofficeswww.localenterprise.ie



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Is this a local, regional or national support? Administeredlocallybutavailablealloverthecountry

Accelerate Management Development Programme Link to support information on website https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Training-Programmes/Start-Your-Own-Business-Programme/

Type of Support Trainingandadvice

Description of the support This programme provides business owners/managerswith themanagement, leadership, business skills andknowledgetoachievesustainabilityandgrowthintheirbusiness.

Agency Responsible for Support Localenterpriseofficeswww.localenterprise.ie



Is this a local, regional or national support? Administeredlocallybutavailablealloverthecountry

Tendering Supports Link to support information on website http://www.intertradeireland.com/tendersuccessfully/

www.intertradeireland.com/go-2-tender/contactgo-2-tender/

Type of Support Adviceandtraining

Description of the support Aimedathelpingcompaniesgainthenecessaryknowledgeandpracticalskillstotendersuccessfullyforpublicsectorcontractsparticularlyonacrossborderbasis.These include2dayworkshops (Go2Tender),Meet theBuyerEventsandsupportsforcollaborativebidding.




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HPSU Feasibility Study Grant Link to support information on website http://www.enterpriseireland.ie/en/Funding-Supports/Company/HPSU-Funding/HPSU-Feasibility-Study-Grant-.html

Type of Support StudyGrant

Description of the support ThisStudyGrantassistsanewstart-upcompanyorindividualentrepreneurtoinvestigatetheviabilityofanewexportorientatedbusinessorproposition.




Other useful/relevant information StartUp SEAI Energy Advice and Mentoring Link to support information on website http://www.seai.ie/Your_Business/Energy_Advice_Mentoring

Type of Support AdviceandMentoring

Description of the support SEAIprovidesfree,one-to-oneadviceandmentoringtoprivate-sectorSMEsfromoneofourspecialistenergyadvisors.TheseadvisorshelpandmotivateSMEstoassesstheirownenergyuse,toidentifyopportunitiesforsavingsandtotakeactiontorealisethesesavings.

Agency Responsible for Support SustainableEnergyAuthorityofIreland(SEAI)

www.seai.ie



Other useful/relevant information StartUp

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SME Support Tool Link to support information on website http://www.supportingsmes.ie/businessdetails.aspx

Type of Support InformationonsupportsavailableforSMEs

Description of the support VisittheSMEsupportTooltoseewhatsupportsareavailabletohelpabusinesstogrow.

Thereareover80governmentsupportsavailabletoIrishStartUpsandsmallBusinesses.Theonlinetoolwillquicklyhelphighlightrelevant,availablesupports.

Agency Responsible for Support DepartmentofJobsEnterpriseandInnovation

https://www.djei.ie/en/

ActionPlanforJobshttp://www.actionplanforjobs.ie/



Other useful/relevant information ForStartUpsandSMEs

Research and Development supports Ocean Energy Prototype Development Fund Link to support information on website http://www.seai.ie/Renewables/Ocean-Energy/Prototype-Development-Fund/ Type of R&D Support Funding

Description of the support The main focus of the Prototype Development Fund programme is to stimulate the development anddeploymentofOceanEnergy(OE)devicesandsystems.Assuch,theemphasis isonindustry-ledprojectsforthefollowingtypesofactivities:

• Industry-ledprojectstodevelopandtestwaveandtidalenergycapturedevicesandsystems;• Independentmonitoringofprojectsandtechnologies• Industry-led research and development (R&D) aimed at the integration of ocean energy into the

electricitymarketandthenationalelectricitygrid(andnetwork);• Datamonitoring,forecasting,communicationsandcontrolofOEsystems;

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• Specific industry-led research projects which will be carried out by research centres, third levelinstitutionsandcentresofexcellencewithahighlevelofexpertiseintherelevantarea

Agency Responsible for Support SustainableEnergyAuthorityofIreland

Maximumandminimumfundingavailable

Amountavailablevaries,seedetailshere:

http://www.seai.ie/Renewables/Ocean-Energy/Prototype-Development-Fund/SEAI-Ocean-R-D-Call-2015.pdf



Other useful/relevant information SEAIisamemberofOCEANERA-NET,anetworkof16nationalandregionalfundersandmanagersofresearchand innovation programmes, from 9 European Countries. The objective of OCEANERA-NET is to coordinatefunding programmes between European countries and regions to support research and innovation in theoceanenergysector.

OCEANERA-NETwillwork towards joint calls for collaborative researchand innovationprojects. TheSecondJointCallisnowopen!FormoreinformationseetheOCEANERA-NETwebsite:http://www.oceaneranet.eu/

Innovation Voucher for start-up companies Link to support information on website http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Funding-Supports/Company/HPSU-Funding/Innovation-Voucher.html

Type of R&D Support Voucher

Description of the support Thisvoucherprovidesfundingtowardscollaboratingwithregisteredcollegeorknowledgeprovidertoexploreabusinessopportunityortechnicalproblem.

Agency Responsible for Support EnterpriseIreland

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No-butmightbeparticularlyusefultothem


Other useful/relevant information StartUponly

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Innovation Partnership Grant Programme Link to support information on website http://www.enterpriseireland.ie/EI_Corporate/en/Research-Innovation/Companies/IPP-Brochure.pdf

Type of R&D Support Researchgrant

Description of the support ThisProgrammeprovidesfinancialsupporttocompanieswhoengageincollaborativeresearchprojectswithIrishuniversitiesorInstitutesofTechnology(IOTs).




Employment Supports EURES Link to support information on website http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/European-Recruitment-Service-(EURES)_holder.aspx

Type of Support Recruitmentsupport

Description of the support TheEuropeanEmploymentServices (EURES) teamcanhelpemployerswhohavedifficulty recruiting staff inIrelandorwhowishtobroadentheirskillbasewithaccesstojobseekersinotherEUandEEAcountries.

Agency Responsible for Support EuropeanEmploymentServices;DepartmentofSocialProtection



Other useful/relevant information Availableinotherpartnerregions?(all?Some?)

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The EmployAbility Service Link to support information on website http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/List-of-Employability-Organisations.aspx

Type of Support Supportsforemploymentofpeoplewithdisabilities

Description of the support The nationwide EmployAbility Service provides an employment support service for people with a healthcondition,injury,illnessordisabilityandarecruitmentadviceserviceforthebusinesscommunity.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/List-of-Employability-Organisations.aspx

Agency Responsible for Support DepartmentofSocialProtectionwww.welfare.ie



The Wage Subsidy Scheme Link to support information on website http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Wage-Subsidy-Scheme_holder_3176.aspx


Description of the support TheWage Subsidy Schemeprovides financial incentives to employers to employdisabledpeoplewhoworkmorethan20hoursperweek.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Wage-Subsidy-Scheme_holder_3176.aspx




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Work Place Supports Link to support information on website http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Workplace-Supports_holder.aspx


Description of the support A number of practical supports and allowances are available to companies to proactively assist theparticipationofpeoplewithadisabilityintheworkforce.Thereareschemesavailabletosupportcompaniestoemploysomeonewithadisability,ortoretainanemployeewhohasacquiredanimpairmentorillness

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Workplace-Supports_holder.aspx




Other- e.g. Incubation space or office space Enterprise Space / Incubation space Link to support information on website http://www.westbic.ie

http://www.gtc.ie/

http://www.fiontarlann.com

Type of Support Incubation/officespace

Description of the support Threeexamplesaregiven:

The GTC provides a dynamic office space with business support services in a connected network ofentrepreneurs,highgrowthcompanies,investorsandsupportagencies.http://www.gtc.ie/

Fiontarlann isa6100sq ft IncubationandEnterpriseCentre inDonegalprovidingofficespacewithbusinesssupport services in a connected network of entrepreneurs, high growth companies, investors and supportagencies.

http://www.fiontarlann.com

WestBICRoscommonregionprovideshotdesking/officespacewithbusinesssupportservicesinaconnectednetworkofentrepreneurs,withbusinesssupport.http://www.westbic.ie

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Agency Responsible for Support WestBIC(BusinessInnovationCentre)http://www.westbic.ie



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Northern Ireland What kind of agencies offer support to SMEs? InNorthernIrelandthereare2mainagencieswhichoffersupporttoSME’s

InvestNIInvestwillsupportmanytypesofbusiness;howevertheyareveryinterestedinbusinesseslinkedtoimproving theenvironment.Createdasuiteofsix funds totallingmorethan£170million tohelpSMEswithhighgrowthpotential,toforgeahead.

Thestart-upfinancialsupportisgenerallylimitedtobusinessesthatintendtoselloutsideNorthernIreland.

Innovation Vouchers offers up to £5000 to ‘purchase’ specialist knowledge from one of 39 respecteduniversities,collegesandresearchorganisationsthroughoutNorthernIrelandandtheRepublicofIreland.Thisknowledgecanhelpyoutoexpand,improveorcreatenewproducts,servicesandprocesses.

Is there one agency which is the first place for businesses to go? Invest NI is themain agency in Northern Ireland, for all sizes of business to achieve the support that theyrequiretohelpgrowtheirbusiness.InvestNispecialiseinwiderangeofbusinessesandwillgiveyousupportinthefollowingareas:developstrategy,improveskills,operatemoreefficiency,findfundingandnewmarkets.

Invest NI advertise across all of Northern Ireland via socialmedia, newspapers, posters and they also holdseminars to encourage business to get involved.With their publicity and advertisement they can be easilycontactedandwillarrangetomeetwithyoutodiscussyourbusinessdevelopmentwithin2-3weeks.

https://www.investni.com/

Are business supports restricted to certain types of business, or enhanced for certain types of SMEs (e.g. only available for manufacturing or for exporters)? Invest NI support aerospace and defence, business services, construction, creative industries, financialservices, food anddrink, ICT andelectronics, legal services, life andhealth sciences andmaterials handling,renewablesandenergy,securityandtourism.Therearealimitednumberofareasinwhichtheyhavenoreallevelofsupporte.g.retail–althoughtheywillsupportonlineselling.

Are there special supports for RE businesses? Representatives of renewables in NI, giving advice on renewable energy sector. Provides the companies itrepresents with knowledge and advice on marine and wind renewable energy projects/ ideas. It has welldevelopedsubgroupswhicharecapableofdealinganyoftheseareas:

• Planning&environment• Markets• Grid• Marineenery

Techstartup worktohelpcompanieswincustomers,makekeyhires,anddevelopstrategiesandtacticstoachievethefastestpossiblegrowthinthevalueofthecompany.

Seektobetrustedpeersandpartnerstohelpentrepreneursrealisetheirvisionwithexperiencedandtimelysupport. With their backing, Founders can focus on customer development and validating their businessmodel.

http://www.techstartni.com/

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Business supportsavailable inNorthern Irelandaredescribed inmoredetail in thecomingpagesunder thefollowingthemes:


Financial Support (grants, loans, equity investment) Invest NI Link to support information on website https://www.investni.com/

Type of Finance Support - GrantAid- Mentoringsupport- Staffsubsides- OverseasTradesupport

Description of the support InvestNIapproachtosupportingbusinessesisbasedonthreekeyelements:

• Providinginformationandadvice,directlyandthrougharangeofinformationservices.• Providing support to people wanting to set up their own business and helping new and existing

businessesgrowandmoveintonewmarkets.• Providing tailored support to businesses that can make the greatest contribution to increasing

productivity,innovationandexportgrowthinNorthernIreland.

Because their resources are limited they primarily support those businesses that can make the biggestcontributiontotheeconomy.

Criteria typically used to determinewhether a business can become an InvestNI client includes: Turnoverexceeding£250Kannuallywithover25%beingclassedasexportsales.

If abusinessbased inNorthern Ireland can show that it intends to sell outsideNorthern Ireland, is activelypursuinggrowthplansandwillcontributeto increasingproductivityand innovation inNorthern Ireland,youcouldbecomeanAccountManagedcustomerwithInvestNI.

Detailed financial plans for three to five yearswill beneeded tobecomean InvestNI Client alongwith fullcurrentaccounts.

OnceclassedasanInvestNIClientyouhaveaccesstoanumberofsupportsincluding;

- Accesstowiderangeofexpertiseparticularinexporttrade,IT,Innovationandsustainability.- GrantAidforstaffing(specificrolesincludingsalesandITroles)- GrantAidforecommercewebsitesandonlinesales–typically75%- GrantAidtotravellingtoTradeShowsandmeetingwithexportcustomers.

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- BrandingandDesignprogrammes- InnovationsupportfromIntellectualPropertyandpatentsandproductdevelopment.- Mentoringprogrammesintheareaofsales,financesetc.- Researchanddevelopmentteamsandassociategrantaid.- MarketresearchwithafullbusinessresearchlibrarylocatedthroughBusinessInformationServices.

Agency Responsible for Support RangeofInvestNIofficesacrossNorthernIrelandwithanumberofClientExecutivesdealingwithbusinessesandspecialiststaffbasedprimarilyinBelfast.

Maximum and minimum funding available Asuiteof six funds totallingmore than£170million tohelpSMEswithhighgrowthpotential, likeyours, toforgeahead.

Fundingtypicallyissetat75%oftheneededcostdependantontheareaofsupport.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No Invest NI will support all types of business; however they are very interested in businesses linked toimprovingtheenvironment.

Is this a local, regional or national support? Thestart-upfinancialsupportisgenerallylimitedtobusinessesthatintendtoselloutsideNorthernIreland.

Other useful/relevant information Their Invest Growth Proof of Concept Fund provides grants to individuals, start-up businesses, microenterprisesandsmallormediumsizedbusinessestohelpthemfullydevelopandtesttheirideas.

Invest NI also have a Proof of Concept programme that offers funding to local universities and researchorganisationstohelpresearcherstaketheirideasoutofthelabandintothemarket.

Intertrade Ireland Link to support information on website www.intertradeireland.com

Type of Finance Support - GrantAid- Mentoringsupport- Staffsubsides

Description of the support InterTradeIrelandhelpsSME’sacrosstheislandofIrelandbyofferingpracticalcrossborderbusinessfunding,intelligenceandcontacts.

TheyoffersupporttobusinessesnewtocrossbordertradewithNewtoAccelerateVouchersofferingsupportuptovalueof£10,000.

Go to Tender Programmme: Tendering and procurement training andone to onementoring for businesseswhowanttoexpandthroughtenderingparticularlyonacrossborderlevel.

MeettheBuyerevent:Freeeventtoallowbusinessestomeetwithkeybuyersfromthepublicsector.

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Salesdevelopmentsupport:Staffsubsidesandgraduateprogrammesforcompanieswhowanttodevelopandgrowcrossbordersales.Acumenprogramme:Offering50%ofsalespersonsalarytoamaximumof£15kgrant.

Elevateprogrammeofferingconsultancysupportuptothevalueof£5kspecifictogrowingcrossbordertrade

Innovation in business support for businesses completing cross border trading. Graduate support fordevelopingnewproductandinnovativeprocesses–maximumaid£44,250.Variousothersupportsavailableifbusinessiseligible.

Agency Responsible for Support InterTradeIreland–NIofficebasedinNewry

Maximum and minimum funding available Highcalibrebusinesseswillonlybeaccepted.Variouslevelsoffunding–asdetailedabove.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No.InterTradeIrelandwillsupportalltypesofbusinessthatareinterestedinexpandingcrossbordertrading.

Is this a local, regional or national support? AnybusinesslocatedontheIslandofIrelandwhowanttobeginorgrowcrossbordertrading.

Renewable Heat Incentive Link to support information on website https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/non-domestic-renewable-heat-incentive-rhi/northern-ireland-renewable-heat-incentive

Type of Support Incentiveonheatproduced

Description of the support RHI – Financial incentive to encourage the uptake and use of renewable heat such as biomass systems,ground/airsourceheatpumps,geothermalandbiogasbelow200kWth.DepartmentofEnterprise,TradeandInvestment set the policy and tariff rates, with payments being made for 20 years. Ofgem administer theschemeonbehalfofDETI.Businessesmustmeettheeligibilitycriteriawhenapplyingforaccreditation.Theremust be at least 1 non domestic use for the heat being produced and the installation must meet otherrequirements;beingnewattimeofinstallationandtheheatbeingproducedmustbemeteredcorrectly,andsoon.

Agency Responsible for Support Officeofgas&electricitymarkets(OFGEM)

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/

Maximum and minimum funding available RHI – funding is available for 20 years, payments depend on amount of eligible heat being produced (kWhours).

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? RHI-No,fundingisavailabletoanybusinessthathasaneligibleuseforheating.E.g.offices/poultryhousesetc.

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Is this a local, regional or national support? National,availableinanyarea,England,Scotland,WalesandNorthernIreland.

Other useful/relevant information RHI–thissupportisnolongeravailabletonewapplicants.

Renewables Obligation (ROCs) Link to support information on website https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/renewables-obligation-ro

Type of Support GreenCertificate

Description of the support ROC’s–aims to increase theamountofelectricity suppliedbyelectricity suppliers fromrenewable sources.Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC’s) are green certificates given to generators that use accreditedrenewable systems to create electricity. These can be traded. If suppliers of electricity do not present thecorrect amount of ROCs they aremade to pay the equivalent amount into a buyout fund. This encouragesthemtosourcemoreoftheirelectricityfromrenewablesources,insteadofbeingfinedfornotmeetingtheirobligation.

Agency Responsible for Support Officeofgas&electricitymarkets(OFGEM)https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/

Maximum and minimum funding available ROCs–nofunding,taxationwhensuppliersdon’tmeettheirobligation.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? ROC’s-No,thisschemeisopentoanyaccreditedelectricitygenerator.

Is this a local, regional or national support? National,availableinanyarea,England,Scotland,WalesandNorthernIreland.

Other useful/relevant information ROCs– tariff isexpected tochange inSeptember2016and then fromMarch2017 theywillbedoneawaywith.

Soft supports e.g. mentoring, training, specialist advice, networks Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group Link to support information on website http://www.ni-rig.org/

Type of Support RepresentativesofrenewablesinNI,givingadviceonrenewableenergies.

Description of the support Provides the companies it represents with knowledge and advice on marine and wind renewable energyprojects/ideas.Ithaswelldevelopedsubgroupswhicharecapableofdealinganyoftheseareas:

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• Planning&environment• Markets• Grid• Marineenergy

Agency Responsible for Support NorthernIrelandRenewablesIndustryGrouphttp://www.ni-rig.org/


Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No,anybusinesslookingadviceandsupportintermsofrenewableenergiescanbecomeamemberandseekadvice.

Is this a local, regional or national support? Regionalsupport,coveringallofNIandbusinessesinterestedininvestmenttoNI.

Carbon Trust Link to support information on website http://www.carbontrust.com/home/

Type of Support CarbonZeroNorthern Irelandprovidestechnologydevelopmentand innovationsupportto IndustryandwilldeliveranextensivearrayoftrainingcoursesfocusedondevelopingaskilledworkforceinrenewableenergyinNorthernIreland.

Thecourseswillcovertheareasof:

• Renewableenergyawarenessforhomesandbusiness• RenewableenergytechnologiesincludingWind,Solar,BiomassandHydro• Wastemanagement• Responsiblesourcingofmaterials• Sustainableconstruction

CurrentR&DundertheCarbonZeroNIprogrammewillpositionNorthernIrelandasaninternationalplayerinthesustainabledevelopmentandcleanenergysectors

Description of the support TheCarbonZeroNIprogrammeisasectorwideinitiativebytheFurtherEducationsectorundertheleadershipof the South West College in Northern Ireland. This programme is supported by the Department ofEmploymentandLearninginNorthernIrelandthroughtheInnovationFund,EmployerSupportProgramme.

CoursesdevelopedundertheCarbonZeroNIprogrammewilladdresstheever increasingneedforskillsandknowledgeintheareaofcleanenergydevelopmentinNorthernIreland.

Formore information on the courses offered by each Further Education College under the Carbon ZeroNIProgrammeclickonanyoftheCollegelogosbelow:

• BelfastMet• Northwestregionalcollege

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• SouthWestCollege• SouthernRegionalCollege

Agency Responsible for Support DepartmentofEmploymentandLearninginNorthernIrelandthroughtheInnovationFund,EmployerSupportProgramme.

Maximum and minimum funding available N/A–Coursesavailable

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? YesonalltypesofRenewableEnergy

Is this a local, regional or national support? LocalRegionalNorthernIreland

Other useful/relevant information Research

ThetechnicalresearchwillfocusonthreekeyareasofgrowthinNorthernIreland:

• WindEnergy

• EnergyfromWaste

• CleanEnergyStorage

These technologies have been identified as areas that require immediate support in relation to dedicatedresearchanddevelopmentastheyareevolvingrapidlyatbothalocalandinternationallevel.

CAFRE – College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Development Link to support information on website http://www.cafre.ac.uk/

Type of Support CAFREoffersarangeofsupportservicestoensureyourtimeatCollegeisbotheducationalandenjoyable.AtallcampusesthesupportofstudentsisapriorityforCollegestaff.

Description of the support CollegeofAgriculture,FoodandRuralEnterpriseisapublictertiarylevelland-basedcollegeofferingtraininginagriculture, food technology, horticulture, equine and agri-business operating at three sites in NorthernIreland.

Agency Responsible for Support CAFRE–CollegeofAgriculture,Food&RuralDevelopment

http://www.cafre.ac.uk/

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Nothistrainingisbasedonalltypesrelatedtoagricultureandenvironmentalhowever

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Is this a local, regional or national support? LocalRegional–NorthernIreland

Research and Development Supports Invest NI Innovation Vouchers Link to support information on website http://www.investni.com/support-for-business/funding-for-business/funding-for-innovation-and-research-and-development.html

Type of R&D Support An Innovation Voucher offers you £5000 to ‘purchase’ specialist knowledge from one of 39 respecteduniversities,collegesandresearchorganisationsthroughoutNorthernIrelandandtheRepublicofIreland.Thisknowledgecanhelpyoutoexpand,improveorcreatenewproducts,servicesandprocesses.

Description of the support Ifyoursisasmallormedium-sized*businessyoucanapplyforaninnovationvoucherto‘purchase’specialistknowledge.Thiswillhelpyoutodevelopsolutionstobusinessissues,orimproveorcreateproducts,servicesandprocessesthatwillhelpyourbusinesscompetemoreeffectively.

Typicalprojectswesupportinclude:

• Ideasforneworimprovedproducts,processesandservices.• Productandservicetesting.• Accesstoinformationandexpertiseonnewmaterials.• Tappingintoresearchandscientificresearch

Agency Responsible for Support InvestNI

https://www.investni.com/

EnterpriseIreland

http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/

Maximum and minimum funding available £5000

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Noallbusiness

Is this a local, regional or national support? ThisisbasedforallofIreland,North&South

Other useful/relevant information The Innovation Voucher Scheme, run by Invest NI and Enterprise Ireland, is designed to help you tap intospecialist knowledge to develop forward-thinking solutions or ideas to expand, improve or create newproducts,servicesandprocesses.YoudonotneedtobeanInvestNIorEnterpriseIrelandclientcompanytoapply.

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Tech Start Up Link to support information on website TechStartNIhttp://www.techstartni.com/

Type of R&D Support Asa team,weworktirelessly tohelpourcompanieswincustomers,makekeyhires,anddevelopstrategiesandtacticstoachievethefastestpossiblegrowthinthevalueofthecompany.

Description of the support We seek to be trusted peers and partners to help entrepreneurs realise their visionwith experienced andtimelysupport.Withourbacking,Founderscanfocusoncustomerdevelopmentandvalidatingtheirbusinessmodel.

Agency Responsible for Support TechStartNIhttp://www.techstartni.com/

Maximum and minimum funding available "Concept"grant(ofupto£10k)anda"ConceptPlus"grant(ofupto£25k).

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? NothisisbasedonalltypesofTechnologies

Is this a local, regional or national support? RegionalBased(NorthernIreland)

Other useful/relevant information In a competitive basis this fund seeks to support entrepreneurswith grants directed towards exploring theviabilityandcommercialpotentialofaninnovativeconcept.

Social and Community supports (focused on not for profit) Action Renewables Link to support information on website http://actionrenewables.co.uk/

Type of Social Enterprise/Community Enterprise Support Notforprofitorganisation

Description of the support Action Renewables support commercial renewable energy development, develop and support EuropeanProjects, offer quality assurance to the renewable energy industry (Micro-generation Certification SchemeMCS)andprovideadviceandinformationtoGovernment.

Agency Responsible for Support ActionRenewableshttp://actionrenewables.co.uk/

Maximum and minimum funding available N/A

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Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? As an organisationwe deliver a wide range of services and activities which include supporting commercialrenewableenergydevelopment,developingandsupportingEuropeanProjects,offeringqualityassurance tothe renewable energy industry and providing advice and information to Government. In addition to ourcurrentlistofserviceswearealsohappytoundertakebespokeservicesforourclients.

Is this a local, regional or national support? ActionRenewablesisaregionalbasedorganisationwhichislocatedinNorthernIrelandhoweverithascarriedoutworkacrosstheUK.

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Norway What kind of agencies offer support to SMEs? ThereareanumberofdifferentagencieswhichsupportrenewableenergybusinessesinNorway.Thebusinesssupportsystemislargelyfundedandorganizedthroughpublicfunding:

- Localoffices(Municipality)- InnovationNorway- ENNOVA–SpecialistinstrumentonREinnovations(NationalAgency)- NorwegianResearchCouncil

Several years ago, the Norwegian Government established Enova, a public agency. Enova has become theGovernment’s most important instrument for reaching targeted goals of enegy efficiency and renewableenergyproduction.Enovaadministersaseriesofprogrammesandsupportschemes(intheformofinvestmentaid) covering various business areas. These include wind power, solar, Hydrogen, and energy efficiency inindustryand inbuildings.Enovahasspecificgoals,quantified in terrawatthoursofenergy.-andthere is setspecific dates for these goals to be reached. Enova is provided with long-term financing. Since 2002, theGovernmenthassuppliedEnovawith1.5billionEuros.Enovahasan independentboardofdirectorsandanindependentadministration.Theydecideon thebestway tomanage theavailable funds toachieve the setgoals.Thisleadstoresults!

TheMinistryofEnergy(OED)hasevaluatedEnova.Ithasbeenagoodreminderofthelongtermcharacterofpromotingrenewableenergyandenergyefficiency.Ithasbeenachallengefortheagencytodevelopgoodsupport-schemes, to recruit projects and after that to avoid cancellations. It takes time before the solarsystem,orthewindmill,producesenergy–sometimesasmuchasfiveyears.Thisremindsusthatpromotingthe development towards amore environmentally friendly energy sector requires long term policies and apredictableframework.

Is it clear to the SME where they should go for support? Researchers -TheResearchCouncil ofNorway’s programmeonCommercialisingR&DResults (FORNY2020)promotes innovation based on research results. The programme facilitates the commercialisation of resultsfromprojectsconductedatpublicly-fundedresearchinstitutionsandhelpstobringtheproductsandservicestothemarket.

The FORNY2020 programme is designed to trigger the value-creating potential of projects conducted atpublicly-fundedresearchinstitutions.Theprogrammeprovidesfundingtonewly-establishedcompaniesbasedontheseprojectsaswellastoTechnologyTransferOffices(TTOs)affiliatedwiththeresearchinstitutions.

Theprogrammeseeksto:

- promotetheestablishmentofnewcompaniesbasedonresearchresults- generategrowthinexistingcompaniesbyprovidingfundingtoprojectsbasedonresearchresults.- enhancetheprofessionalismandefficacyoftheTTOsaffiliatedwithuniversities,universitycolleges,

hospitals and independent research institutes in their respective fields.

Entrepreneurs – Innovation Norway create value by stimulating to profitable business developmentthroughout Norway. Our programmes and services are intended to create more successful entrepreneurs,more enterprises with capacity for growth and more innovative business clusters.Innovation Norwaycontributesto:

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• EnhancinginnovationinNorwegianenterprisesandindustry• BuildingcompetitiveNorwegianenterprisesatbothdomesticandinternationalmarkets• PromotingNorwegianenterprises• PromotingNorwayasanattractivetouristdestination• Securingdevelopmentinruralareas• Transformingideasintosuccessfulbusinesscases• Promoteinteractionbetweenenterprises,knowledgecommunitiesandR&Dinstitutions

Is there one agency which is the first place for businesses to go? TheEnvironmentalPortal–isanonlinetoolwhichgivesanoverviewofthevarietyofsupportsavailabletoallentrepreneursandresearchersintherenewableenergysector.

Are business supports restricted to certain types of business, or enhanced for certain types of SMEs (e.g. only available for manufacturing or for exporters)? Thereisaparticularfocusonbusinesseswithexportpotential.

Are there special supports for RE businesses? The Research Council of Norway has granted funding of 8 new Centres for Environmental-friendly EnergyResearch.

Financial Supports Start UP Grants Link to support information on website InnovationNorwaywww.Innovasjonnorge.no

Type of Finance Support BusinessFinancesupportforstartups

Description of the support Moneytoestablishbusiness

Agency Responsible for Support InnovationNorwaywww.Innovasjonnorge.no

Maximum and minimum funding available €10.000,-


Is this a local, regional or national support? NationalProgramme–withregionaloperators

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Business Loans Link to support information on website InnovationNorwaywww.Innovasjonnorge.no

Type of Finance Support Loans

Description of the support INcangivefinancesupporttobusinessesafterapplication:

1) ShortTimeloans2) Investments

Agency Responsible for Support InnovationNorwaywww.Innovasjonnorge.no

Maximum and minimum funding available Subjecttoneed(limited)incooperationwithbankloans.


Is this a local, regional or national support? Nationalwithregionaloperators Narvik Capital Link to support information on website NarvikKapitalwww.Fpn.no

Type of Finance Support Seed-Funding

Description of the support Fundingtostart-upsthathasagrowthpotentialincombinationwithotherfunding.

Stepbystepfunding/investment.

Agency Responsible for Support NarvikKapitalwww.Fpn.no

Maximum and minimum funding available Takespercentownershipincompaniesduetoinvestment


Is this a local, regional or national support? Localsupport

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Forte Narvik Link to support information on website ForteNarvikwww.Forte.narvik.no

Type of Finance Support Seed-Funding/EquityFunding



Agency Responsible for Support ForteNarvikwww.Forte.narvik.no

Maximum and minimum funding available Dependentoninvestmentstrategy


Is this a local, regional or national support? Localsupport

Norinnova Invest Link to support information on website NorinnovaInvestwww.Norinnova.invest.no

Type of Finance Support SeedFunding/EquityInvestment



Agency Responsible for Support NorinnovaInvestwww.Norinnova.invest.no

Maximum and minimum funding available Dependentoninvestmentstrategy


Is this a local, regional or national support? LocalSupport

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Equity Investment Link to support information on website EquityFundingNorway

Type of Finance Support Investment

Description of the support GrowthBusinessInvestment

Agency Responsible for Support 1) HitechVisionPrivateEquity2) NorvestorEquity3) FSNCapital4) AltorEquity

Maximum and minimum funding available DependentonInvestmentStrategy



Venture Capital Investment Link to support information on website VentureCapitalFundingNorway

Type of Finance Support Investment

Description of the support Investmentinstart-uptechnologybusiness.

Agency Responsible for Support 1) Energyventure2) NorthzoneVenture3) Verdancapital

Maximum and minimum funding available DependentonInvestmentStrategy



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Taxation for businesses Green Certificates Link to support information on website www.Enova.no

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support Extraincome:1,5-2EuroCent/KWh

Description of the support IncentivestoproducemorerenewableenergyinNorway

Agency Responsible for Support Skatteetaten

Maximum and minimum funding available Basedonproduction

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? RelevantforthelargerSolarPVSystems


Welfare supports for businesses Enova-Projects Link to support information on website Enovawww.Enova.no

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support (be specific) RenewableEnergySupportProjects

Description of the support - Developmentandintroductionofnewenergyandtechnologiesinthemarket.- EnergyEfficiencyprojects- Households–Phaseoutoilboilers- Energyrecovery(Industry)- SubsidyProgrammestoincreasethedemandofrenewableenergy- Energymeasures- Makingproductsavailableinthemarket- Testingofproducts- Nationwideinformationandadviseryservice

Agency Responsible for Support Enovawww.Enova.no

Maximum and minimum funding available Dependentonprogramme/Incentives

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National Investment Support Link to support information on website Enovawww.Enova.no

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support Welfaresupporttoprivatehouseholdsandcommercialbuildings

Description of the support 1) PrivateHouseholds:

a) SolarHeating:Euro1000+Euro20/m2collectorareab) SolarElectricity:Euro1000+Euro12,5/KWh

2) Commercialbuildings:a) SolarHeating:Euro20/m2collectorareab) Solarelectricity:Noinvestmentsupport–upto50%ifnewtechnology

Agency Responsible for Support Enovawww.Enova.no

Maximum and minimum funding available Dependentonprivatehouseholdorcommercialbuildingandenergyproduction



Concessions for businesses Concessions for Hydro Power Plants Link to support information on website www.Oed.nowww.NVE.no

OilandEnergyDepartment/NorwegianWaterresourcesandEnergyDirectorate

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support (be specific) ConcessionsforEnergyProduction–HydroPowerPlants

Description of the support MajorDevelopmentProjects–TheKinginCouncilhasbeengivenlicensingauthorityforprojectspursuanttotheWatercourseRegulationActanddevelopmentswithinstallationsexceeding10MWpursuanttotheWaterResourcesAct.TheNVEhandlestheworkduringtheapplicationprocess.

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HydroPowerPlantsexceeding10MWorwithanannualproductionexceeding50GWharealwayssubjecttoclarificationvia-a-viatheMasterPlanforWaterResources.ProjectswhichrequireprocessingpursuanttotheMasterPlanforWaterResourcesmustsubmitanapplicationtotheNVE,whichwillprocessitincollaborationwiththeDirectorateforNatureManagement.

The Ministry will prepare the project for the King in Council and present a recommendation. Therecommendation isdrawnupbasedontheapplication,TheNVE’srecommendation, theopinionofaffectedministriesandlocalauthorities,aswellastheMinistry’sownassessments.

Agency Responsible for Support www.NVE.no

Maximum and minimum funding available Nofundingavailable



Concessions for Small Hydro Power Plants Link to support information on website www.Oed.nowww.NVE.no

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support (be specific) ConcessionforEnergyProduction–SmallHydroPowerPlants

Description of the support TheNVEhas beendelegated the licensing authority pursuant to theWater ResourcesAct for powerplantswith an installed capacity below 10MW and without water regulation exceeding the licensing limit in theWatercourseRegulationAct.

SmallHydroPowerPlantsaresubjecttosomewhatsimplerproceduresthanmajorprojects,whichcontributesto faster processing for these projects. The Ministry has published Guidelines for SHPP with the aim offacilitatingregionalplanningandstrengtheningthebasisforcomprehensive,efficientandpredictablelicenceprocessing.

Agency Responsible for Support www.NVE.no




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Soft supports Innovation Norway – Mentoring Programme Link to support information on website www.Innovasjonnorge.no

Type of Support MentoringProgramme

Description of the support Focusonexport

Agency Responsible for Support Nationalprogrammewithinternationalandregionaloperatorsoncontract

Maximum and minimum funding available 30–100hoursfreeofcharge

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Someoftheofficescanprovidespecificservicestorenewableenergybusinesses

Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional,nationalandinternationalservice

Norwegian Solar Energy Society Link to support information on website www.Solenergi.no

Type of Support Energy,BusinessandR&DPolicy

Networks

Description of the support Focuson:

1) SolarPV2) SolarElectricity3) SolarHeating4) Networkingactivities5) Promotesincreasedknowledgeanduseofsolarenergy6) Businessopportunities7) ResearchandDevelopmentProjects

Agency Responsible for Support NorskSolenergiforening–NorwegianSolarEnergySociety


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Is this a local, regional or national support? National/Regional

Research and Development supports UIT – Arctic University, Technology Department Link to support information on website www.Uit.no

Type of R&D Support Technology

Description of the support ResearchonRenewableEnergy

Agency Responsible for Support UIT–TechnologyDepartment


Is this a local, regional or national support? RegionalInstitutionwithlocaltechnologydepertment

NORUT NARVIK Link to support information on website www.Norut.no

Type of R&D Support Technology

Description of the support ResearchonRenewableEnergy–SolarPV

Agency Responsible for Support NorutNarvik

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? OwnREDepartment

Is this a local, regional or national support? LocalResearchInstitution

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Social and Community supports (focused on not for profit in RE area) None

Other

SIVA INCUBATOR Link to support information on website www.Fpn.no

Type of Support FocusonStart-Ups

Description of the support - Reducedofficeprice- Businessconsult(25%payment–75%support)- DevelopmentofBusinessModel- Funding

Agency Responsible for Support SIVA/NSP

Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure) Nofundingavailable


Is this a local, regional or national support? SIVA=NationalProgrammewithlocal/regionaloperatorsoncontract(NSP–department)

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Scotland What kind of agencies offer support to SMEs? Support predominantly comes from central Government, particularly in regard to financial subsidy. This isdisseminatedatavarietyof levels fromaUKwidescale to regionalagencies, suchasHighlandsand IslandsEnterprise.

QUANGOsandNGOsalsoprovidesupporttoSMEs,theEnergySavingTrustbeingoneofthekeyagenciesinthisfield.

Membershiporganisations,suchastheOrkneyRenewableEnergyForum(OREF),seektobringindividualsandsmall business together to help achieve certain aims. For example, OREF aims to address strategic issuesaffecting Orkney’s renewables sector through collaboration with members, the local community, keystakeholders,andacademicsandresearchers.

Smallercharities, suchasCommunityEnergyScotland,alsoaimtoprovideadviceandassistance toSMEs inthissector.

Is it clear to the SME where they should go for support? There isaGovernmentwebsite(https://www.mygov.scot/funding-opportunities/)which listsvariousfundingopportunities;however,thisdoesnotnecessarilycontainallpossiblefundingsources.

IfthereisacommunityelementtotheprojectLocalEnergyScotlandclearlylaysouthowtheycangetsupport(http://www.localenergyscotland.org/).

Is there one agency which is the first place for businesses to go? Thisdependsonthetypeofventure:

Ø ifitisacommunitybasedbusinessthenLocalEnergyScotlandisthefirstcallingpoint;Ø if it is innovation or research based Scottish Enterprise, or its subsidiaries, is usually themost

relevantplace;Ø fordirect subsidy forelectricity generated through the feed-in tariff scheme theEnergySaving

Trustisthefirstpointofcontact.

Are business supports restricted to certain types of business, or enhanced for certain types of SMEs (e.g. only available for manufacturing or for exporters)? In Scotland there is a strong focus on community renewable energy projects. These have additional fundsavailabletothemthroughtheCommunityandRenewableEnergyScheme(CARES).Throughcollaborationwithcommunitiesthisfundcanbeaccessedbyothers.

ThevarietyofbusinesssupportsmeanssomeSMEsmaynotnecessarilybeeligibletoallsupports.ForexamplemanysupportsareeitherexclusivelyforR&Dorspecificallystatesuchprojectsarenoteligible.

Are there special supports for RE businesses? Yes,probablythemostimportantoftheseisthesubsidysystemforelectricitygeneratedbyrenewablesourcesthrough the feed-in tariff for small scale projects (under 5MW) and ROC (nowCfDmechanism) (for largerprojects).However, feedback from industry shows that the reducedsupportofgovernment ishavingaverynegative impact. One of our respondents to another element of GREBE termed these changes as aGovernment“shutdownofrenewables”,soalthoughtherearespecificsupportsinplacethestrengthoftheseisbecomingquestionable.

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BusinesssupportsavailableinScotlandaredescribedinmoredetail inthecomingpagesunderthefollowingthemes:

• FinancialSupport(grants,loans,equityinvestment)• Taxationorwelfaresupportsorconcessionsforbusinesses• Softsupportse.g.mentoring,training,specialistadvice,networks• ResearchandDevelopmentsupports• SocialandCommunitysupports(focusedonnotforprofit)• Other-e.g.Incubationspaceorofficespace(

Financial Supports UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) Link to support information on website http://www.greeninvestmentbank.com/

Type of Finance Support Bothfundanddirectinvestment.

Description of the support This funding institution was created by the UK Government to attract private sector investment in areasrelatingtoenvironmentalpreservationandimprovement–ofwhichrenewableenergyareamajorelement.Financingcanbeforawidevarietyofprojectsincludingthedeploymentofnewtechnologies,communityscaleprojectsaswellaslargerrenewableenergydevelopmentssuchaslargeoffshorewindfarms.

Agency Responsible for Support UKGreenInvestmentBankplc

http://www.greeninvestmentbank.com/

Maximum and minimum funding available Backssmallprojectof£2mtolargeprojectsof£1bn.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Bothrenewablesandenergyefficiency.


Other useful/relevant information SofarScotlandhasseenverylittlebenefitfromthisscheme.

Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) Link to support information on website http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/attract-investment/renewable-energy-investment-fund/overview

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Type of Finance Support Thefundcanprovideloans,guaranteesandequityinvestments

Description of the support The investment fund is designed to drive the growth of renewable energy in Scotland through supportingbusinessesandcommunityorganisationstodeveloptheirownlocalrenewableprojects.REIFisadiscretionaryfundwithnominimumormaximumdealvaluesstipulated;projectsareassessedonacasebycasebasis.

Companiesandcommunitygroupsworkingintheareaofrenewableenergyatthetestorcommercialisationstage,seekingtoassembleafundingpackage,areeligibleforsupport fromtheREIF.ExamplesofareasthatREIF can support include marine energy, community owned renewables and renewable district heating,althoughthislistisnotexhaustive.

Agency Responsible for Support ScottishEnterprise

http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/attract-investment/renewable-energy-investment-fund/overview

Maximum and minimum funding available Nomaximumorminimum


Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional(Scotlandonly)

Scottish Innovative Foundation Technologies fund Link to support information on website http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/develop-new-products-and-services/sift/overview


Description of the support TheaimofthefundistohelpdrivedownthecostofenergyanddeveloptheoffshorewindsectorinScotlandthrough innovation indeep-wateroffshorewind foundationdesignand installation.Although the funding isopentolargerorganisationsitisalsoavailableforSMEs.


http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/develop-new-products-and-services/sift/whats-involved

Maximum and minimum funding available Upto£15millionavailable,ratesofsupportvarydependingonproject

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Yes–offshorerenewables

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InnovFin Energy Demo Projects Link to support information on website http://www.eib.org/products/blending/innovfin/products/energy-demo-projects.htm

Type of Finance Support Providesloansorloanguarantees

Description of the support InnovFin Energy Demo Projects provides loans or loan guarantees between €7.5million and €75million tofirst-of-a-kindcommercial-scaledemonstrationprojects in the fieldsof renewableenergyandhydrogenandfuelcells,helpingtobridgethegapfromdemonstrationtocommercialisation.

Agency Responsible for Support EuropeanInvestmentBank

http://www.eib.org/index.htm

Maximum and minimum funding available Loans and guarantees from €7.5million to €75million. The total project costsmust be aminimumof €15million.


Is this a local, regional or national support? Europeanwide

Barclays Renewable Energy Fund Link to support information on website https://www.barclayscorporate.com/sector-expertise/agriculture/renewable-energy.html

Type of Finance Support Providesloans

Description of the support The £100million fund for loans is designed to help farmers in theUKmeet the costs of renewable energyinitiativeslikewindfarms,solarpanels,organicwastepowerandhydroplants.

Agency Responsible for Support Barclaysbank

https://www.barclayscorporate.com/

Maximum and minimum funding available Atermloanof£25,000andaboveisavailable.

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Other useful/relevant information Withthechangestothefeed-intarifftheeffectivenessofthisschemeislikelytobereduced.

EIB - European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) Link to support information on website http://www.eif.org/index.htm

Type of Finance Support Bothdebtandequityproducts

Description of the support EFSI is an EU initiative which aims to help overcome the investment gap in the EU by mobilising privatefinancingforstrategicinvestments.

Agency Responsible for Support SMEs interested in EFSI transactions financed via the EIF (European Investment Fund) should refer toinformationonEIFfinancialintermediaries:

http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/where/gb/index.htm

Maximum and minimum funding available Nospecificmaximumorminimumrequirementsinplace.



Other useful/relevant information AftertheUKexitfromEuropethestatusofthisfundinScotlandisuncertain

District Heating Loan Fund Link to support information on website http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/district-heating-loan

Type of Finance Support Providesloans

Description of the support Loans offered on a commercial basis for both renewable and low carbon, low emission technologies inScotland,forheatingdistributedthroughanetworkofpipestoprovidespaceandwaterheatinginhomesoroffices.

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Loansofupto£400,000perprojectareavailableovera10-yearperiod.

Technical support is also available through the programme. Theinterestrateonloansissetat3.5%

Agency Responsible for Support EnergySavingTrustScotland

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland

Maximum and minimum funding available Maximum£400,000,nominimumgiven

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Althoughitisdesignedtopromoterenewableenergyanybusinessmayapply.

Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional(Scotland)

Taxation or welfare supports or concessions for businesses Enterprise Investment Scheme Link to support information on website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-enterprise-investment-scheme-introduction

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support (be specific) Taxandincomegainsrelief

Description of the support Thepurposeof the support is toencourage investment to companiesnot listedon the stockexchangeandoftenhaveahighlevelofassociated.Theheadlinebenefitsare:

• 30%upfrontIncometaxreliefuptomaximuminvestmentof£1million,whichcanbecarriedbacktotheprevioustaxyear

• 100%InheritanceTaxrelief(providedtheinvestmentshavebeenheldforatleast2yearsattimeofdeath)

• Capitalgainstaxdeferralforthelifeoftheinvestment• Tax-freegrowth• Taxrelieffrominvestmentlosses

Agency Responsible for Support HMRevenueandCustomsandadministeredthroughtheirSmallCompanyEnterpriseCentreoffice.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs

Maximum and minimum funding available Themaximumtaxreliefis£300,000


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Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme Link to support information on website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/seed-enterprise-investment-scheme-background

Type of Taxation or Welfare Support (be specific) Taxandincomegainsrelief

Description of the support Theschemeaimstoencourage investment instart-upswhichareotherwisedeemedtoorisky.Theheadlinebenefitsare:

• Investors get 50% income tax relief on the cost of shares, for a maximum annual investment of£100,000.

• NoCapitalGainsTaxispaidonprofitsearnedonsharesheldformorethanthreeyears.Capitalgainswhich are realised before three years has expired, but which are reinvested into qualifying SEISshares,arealsoexemptfromCapitalgainstax(again£100,000limit).

• If thecompanygoesbankrupt, investorsmayclaim lossreliefontheir investmentwhich isequal tohalfoftheirtotalinvestmentmultipliedbytheirtaxrate.

• 100%InheritanceTaxrelief.

Agency Responsible for Support HMRevenueandCustomsandadministeredthroughtheirSmallCompanyEnterpriseCentreoffice.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs

Maximum and minimum funding available Cannotraisemorethan£150,000throughthescheme



Soft supports e.g. mentoring, training, specialist advice, networks Low Carbon Skills Fund Link to support information on website https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/our-products/low-carbon-skills-fund/

Type of Support Fund for training Description of the support TheLCSFenablessmallbusinessesfromanysectortoaccesstraininginlowcarbonmethods.Upto£5,000isavailable.Werefundupto50%ofemployeetrainingcosts,uptoamaximumof£1,000peremployee.

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• Trainingmightinclude:• Energyefficiencymeasures• Wastemanagementandre-use• Energyassessorsoradvisers• Sustainableresourcemanagement• Installing microgeneration products such as biomass boilers, ground source heat pumps, or solar

panels.

Agency Responsible for Support SkillsDevelopmentScotland

https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/

Maximum and minimum funding available £5,000

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Itrelatestorenewablesbutnon-renewablebusinessescanapply


Scottish Enterprise 2015 – 2018 Business Plan Link to support information on website http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/about-us/what-we-do/business-plan

Type of Support Developmentstrategy

Description of the support Scottish Enterprise is a sponsored (but non-departmental) Scottish Government body. The 2015 – 2018BusinessplansetsouttheirapproachtodeliveringeconomicgrowthforScotland.Whilstnotexclusivelyaimedatrenewableenergyitisrelevanttomanyschemes.ParticularlypertinentistheaimtoencourageinnovationinSMEs.


www.scottish-enterprise.com




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Marine Energy Parks Link to support information on website http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/hi-marine-energy-park.htm

Type of Support Bringsstakeholderstogetherandcreatesasupportivebusinessenvironment.

Description of the support Marine Energy Parks (MEPs) are a UK government initiative that brings together local and nationalgovernment, Local Enterprise Partnerships, technology developers, academia and industry for thedevelopment of themarine energy sector,with the aim of creating a supportive business environment foraccelerating thecommercialisationofwaveandtidal technology.MEPsshouldhelpprovideanarenawhereSMEscanprovidetheirservicestothisgrowingsector.

Agency Responsible for Support HIEnergy

http://www.hi-energy.org.uk


Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Itcanbenefitothersbutprimarilyyes

Is this a local, regional or national support? Nationalbutregion/localmarineenergyparks

Scotland’s International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ) Link to support information on website http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/develop-new-products-and-services/itrez/overview

Type of Support ProvidesSMEswiththeopportunitytohaveabaseclosertolargeindustryandbuildpartnerships

Description of the support The project aim is to bring business and academia together by stimulating co-location, innovation, andinvestmentinScotland’soffshorerenewableenergysector.CenteredinGlasgow,ITREZhastwopurposebuiltbuildings: 'inovo', and the Technology and Innovation Centre, acting as a hub for around 450 renewablesengineers and project managers, and 850 energy academics and researchers. For SMEs the project allowsthemtobelocatedclosertolargeindustrywithinITREZ.



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Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Yes-offshore


Research and Development supports European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Link to support information on website http://www.emec.org.uk/

Type of R&D Support Providestestfacilitiesforwaveandtidaldevices.

Description of the support EMEC is an accredited test and research centre forwaveand tidal streamdevicesbased inOrkney, off thenorth coast of mainland Scotland. It provides developers with the opportunity to test full-scale prototypedevices inhighenergywaveandtidalenvironments. Inadditiontofullscaletestsitestherearealsonurserysitesfortestingofsmallscaleprototypes.

Agency Responsible for Support EMEC

http://www.emec.org.uk/

Maximum and minimum funding available Ratherthanprovidingfundingthisistestingenablerscheme.


Is this a local, regional or national support? AlthoughthetestcentreisbasedinOrkneyithasbeenusedbymanydevelopers(includinginternational).

Other useful/relevant information AsaresultofEMECtherehasbeensubstantialgrowthinOrkneybasedaroundorstemmingfromthemarineenergyindustry(includingenterprisessetupforservicingdevices).

SMART: Scotland Link to support information on website http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/develop-new-products-and-services/smart-scotland/overview

Type of R&D Support ProvidesgrantstoSMEstohelpundertaketechnicalfeasibilitystudiesandresearchanddevelopment(R&D)projectsthathaveacommercialendpoint.

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Description of the support Feasibilitystudies

Supportsupto70%oftheeligiblecostsforasmallSMEandupto60%oftheeligiblecostsforamediumSME:

• ASmallSMEhaslessthan50employeesandaturnoveroflessthan€10m• AMediumSMEhas50-250employeesandaturnoveroflessthan€50m

Studiesmustlastbetween6and18months,andthemaximumgrantis£100,000.Onethirdofthegrantispaidupfrontwhentheprojectstarts.Theremainderispaidquarterlyinarrearsagainstclaimssubmitted.

R&DProjects

Thiscoversprojectsthataimtodevelopapre-productionprototypeofanewproductorprocess.Support isavailableatupto35percentoftheeligibleprojectcosts.Projectsmustlastbetween6and36months,andthe maximum grant is £600,000. The grant is paid quarterly in arrears and minimum total project cost is£75,000.


http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/develop-new-products-and-services/smart-scotland/overview

Maximum and minimum funding available Forfeasibilitymaximum£100k,forR&D£600k



Social and Community supports Community And Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) Link to support information on website http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-sources/19185/Communities/CRES

Type of Social Enterprise/Community Enterprise Support (be specific) Forthedevelopmentoflocally-ownedrenewableenergyprojectswhichprovidewidercommunitybenefits.

Description of the support The scheme is aimed at renewable projects that offer significant community engagement and benefit,providingloanstowardsthehighrisk,pre-planningconsentstagesofrenewableenergyprojects.TheScottishGovernment’s Community Energy Policy Statement and Good Practice for community benefit and sharedownershipmeansallCARESapplicationsrequireadegreeofcommunityownership.

Agency Responsible for Support LocalenergyScotlandhttp://localenergyscotland.org/

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Maximum and minimum funding available Upto£150,000

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Yesbutonlylocally-ownedones


Community Energy Scotland Link to support information on website http://www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/index.asp TypeofSocialEnterprise/CommunityEnterpriseSupport

Facilitatesknowledgetransferandcanalsoprovideconsultancy

Description of the support CES is a Scottish registered charity that provides support throughout the process of community renewableenergydevelopments.Thecharityismemberbasedandfacilitatesknowledgetransferthroughpartners.

Agency Responsible for Support CommunityEnergyScotland



Is this a local, regional or national support? Regional(Scotlandonly

Local Energy Challenge Fund Link to support information on website http://www.localenergyscotland.org/funding-resources/funding/local-energy-challenge-fund/

Type of Social Enterprise/Community Enterprise Support Capitalsupport

Description of the support The Local EnergyChallenge Fund aims to support large-scale local low carbondemonstrator projectswhichshow a local energy economy approach linking local energy generation to local energy use. This includesprojects looking todevelop innovativeenergydistributionandstorage solutions thathaveanoverall aimofcreatingmorelocalvalueandbenefit.

ProjectswhicharefundedthroughtheLocalEnergyChallengeFundshouldbeabletodemonstrate:

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• Partnershipandcollaborativeworking• Innovation• AddedLocalValue

Agency Responsible for Support LocalEnergyScotland

Maximum and minimum funding available £500k-£6mperproject



Local Energy Scotland Link to support information on website http://www.localenergyscotland.org

Type of Social Enterprise/Community Enterprise Support (be specific) Advice

Description of the support Offersarangeofsupportforcommunityandsocialenterpriseswhowanttodeveloprenewables.Thisincludesinformationonrenewabletechnologiesandinformationonhowtoapplyforfunding.

Agency Responsible for Support LocalEnergyScotland




Other Types of Support Contracts for Difference Link to support information on website https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/electricity-market-reform-contracts-for-difference

Type of Support Paymentforgeneratingrenewableelectricity.

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Description of the support AContract forDifference(CFD) isaprivate lawcontractbetweena lowcarbonelectricitygeneratorandtheLowCarbonContractsCompany(LCCC),agovernment-ownedcompany.AgeneratorpartytoaCFDispaidthedifferencebetweenthe‘strikeprice’–apriceforelectricityreflectingthecostofinvestinginaparticularlowcarbontechnology–andthe‘referenceprice’–ameasureoftheaveragemarketpriceforelectricityintheGBmarket.

Towinacontractfordifferencerenewableschemeshavetobidagainsteachother.

ContractsforDifferencearethemainsourceofsubsidyforrenewableprojectsgreaterthan5MW

Agency Responsible for Support Department of Energy and Climate Change through the Low Carbon Contracts Companyhttps://lowcarboncontracts.uk/

Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure) Dependsonseveral factors includingrenewable typeandthecontractdecided.Lessmaturerenewablesarepaidmore. Thepayments are givenperMWhof electricity generated. Projectunder5MWgo through thefeed-intariffapproachinstead.Thereisnomaximumprojectsize.

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? No,alllowcarbonformsofgenerationareeligible


Other useful/relevant information ThisschemeisthereplacementoftheUKGovernment’soldRenewableObligationCertificatesupportschemeforlargerenewableprojects.

Feed-in tariff Link to support information on website https://www.gov.uk/feed-in-tariffs/overview

Type of Support Paymentforelectricityabovethemarketprice.

Description of the support Ifanapplicationissuccessfulasetamountforeachunit(kWh)ofelectricitygeneratedispayed.Theratesvarydependingon:

• thesizeofsystem• technologytype• whenthesystemwasinstalled• forhouseholdprojectshowenergyefficientthehouseis

Thefeed-intariffisthemainsupportmechanismforrenewableprojectsunder5MWinsize.

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Agency Responsible for Support Department of Energy and Climate Change https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change

Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure) Nominimumprojectsize,maximumof5MW.Tariffdependsontypeofrenewable,forexamplewindgetslessthansolarPV.



Other useful/relevant information Thefeed-intariffsystemhasseendramaticchanges(i.e.massivecuts),asaresulttheabilityofmanyschemestobeprofitable isnowdramatically reducedandmanycompaniesparticularly in thesolarsectorhavegoneoutofbusiness.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Link to support information on website For non-domestic users https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/non-domestic-renewable-heat-incentive-rhi

Type of Support Paymentsbasedontheamountofrenewableheatgenerated

Description of the support TheRHIisagovernmentenvironmentalprogrammethatprovidesfinancialincentivestoincreasetheuptakeofrenewableheatbybusinesses,thepublicsectorandnon-profitorganisations.

Eligibleinstallationsreceivequarterlypaymentsover20yearsbasedontheamountofheatgenerated.Itisthemajor supportmechanism inplace for renewableheat,being theequivalentofwhat the feed-in tariff is forelectricity.

Agency Responsible for Support OFGEM

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/

Maximum and minimum funding available or maximum value of funding if in kind (or alternative measure)

Providesadditionalincomefor20years,thisincomedependsontheamountofheatgenerated

Is this Specific to Renewable Energy businesses? Availabletoanybusinesswhichusesheating


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