PUBLIC FUNDING STRATEGY
Irish Grants &
Enterprise Ireland
The Irish startup ecosystem divides primarily between Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) for micro-enterprises and Enterprise Ireland (EI) for High Potential Start-Ups (HPSU). The semantic distinction is critical for eligibility.
The "Realtor" Trap: Service vs. Product
A fundamental distinction determines application success. The positioning of our business model is binary for grant eligibility.
NOT ELIGIBLE
"Real Estate Agency" (Local Service)
If the business model is perceived as selling houses in the domestic market, it will be classified as a local retail service. LEOs generally do not fund local services that may displace existing businesses.
Example: Opening another real estate agency in Cork that competes with established ones.
ELIGIBLE
"PropTech Platform" (Internationally Traded Service)
If the business is the technology platform (based on XRPL) that facilitates transactions, and the intention is to license this technology globally or facilitate cross-border sales.
Position: We're building the SWIFT network for global property transactions.
Strategic Pivot
The grant application must focus exclusively on XRPL technology development and the platform's export potential, minimizing the narrative of local Irish property intermediation.
Grant Programs
Available funding instruments for PropTech development in Ireland.
ENTERPRISE IRELAND
Innovation Voucher
€5,000
100% funded
This voucher is "spent" on a registered Knowledge Provider (e.g., Irish universities like DCU, TCD, or technological institutes).
Use Case for Cuandeoro
Contract a university research team to audit our XRPL code or validate the security of the escrow mechanism. This adds immense technical credibility for future investors.
LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE
Feasibility Study Grant
€15,000
50-60% of eligible costs
The most accessible entry grant, designed to validate technology before incurring large costs. 50% in Southern & Eastern region, 60% in Border, Midland & Western region.
Eligible Expenses
- • Market research & sector reports
- • Travel to foreign markets
- • Blockchain architect consultancy
- • COO salary allocation
- • MVP prototyping on XRPL Testnet
Application Advice
Use this phase to fund the technical specification of escrow smart contracts and legal validation of the tokenization model.
LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE
Priming Grant
€150,000
Max, typically €80k awarded
Once the company is established and technical viability demonstrated, the Priming Grant is the next logical step. Requires 50% co-financing by the company.
Requirements
- • Linked to full-time job creation
- • Up to €15,000 per job created
- • Demonstrate HPSU potential
Key Argument
The scalability of XRPL technology is the main selling point for "graduating" to Enterprise Ireland's HPSU track.
Recommended Funding Roadmap
Sequential application strategy aligned with development phases.
Innovation Voucher
€5,000
Validate XRPL architecture with a university. Obtain technical report on "Blockchain Viability in Real Estate".
Feasibility Grant
€15,000
Apply to local LEO to fund the Business Plan and initial MVP. Leverage Innovation Voucher results.
Priming Grant
€40,000+
Hire first developer or sales lead. Demonstrate path to HPSU status with Enterprise Ireland.
Total Potential Funding
€60,000+
In first 12 months through public grants
⚠️ Strategic Warning: The "Substance" Requirement
The biggest threat to this model is not technical failure, but corporate emptiness. A "mailbox" company in Ireland with a CEO working full-time in Spain is an immediate red flag for tax authorities.
Requirements
- • Real Irish office (coworking space acceptable: WeWork, Dogpatch Labs)
- • COO must be a genuine decision-maker, not a figurehead
- • Quarterly board meetings physically in Ireland
- • CEO travel to Dublin documented (flight tickets, signed minutes)
Tax Implications
- • Irish corporate tax: 12.5%
- • Spanish corporate tax: 25%
- • POEM (Place of Effective Management) must be in Ireland
- • CEO cannot conclude contracts from Spain