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Pre-Seed Start Fund

Pre-Seed Start Fund

Provides early-stage technology teams with support for product, capability, and milestone growth planning.

OpenEnterprise IrelandIrelandDeep-tech · adjacent
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About

The Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) is continuously open — there is no deadline or closing date. EI takes a convertible loan note (CLN) of €50,000 (single tranche) or €100,000 (two equal €50k tranches against milestones). Applicants must contribute €5,000 of 'new cash' per €50k of EI investment — angel, VC or other private equity sources are acceptable but other public funding is not. A maximum of 3 ap…

What this grant funds

Early-stage Irish start-ups developing market-ready products or solutions, conducting product testing, building team capability, and reaching milestones to attract Seed funding within 6-18 months.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Rolling
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.Rolling
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Convertible
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.10%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—
Funding analytics

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Industries

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Eligibility criteria

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Application process

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What you have to submit

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Timeline

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Last verified: 29 Jun 2026Source: www.enterprise-ireland.com