Discovery tool, not advice. Every figure is the published rule, not a decision on your case.

Equity

Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF)

Status

Status not published

Runs to periodic calls with distinct strands, historically including a general strand and dedicated female-founder and regional strands.

Open now

Amount

€100,000

Investment of either EUR 50,000 or EUR 100,000 into early-stage companies, plus 10 structured mentoring sessions.

Funder

Enterprise Ireland

public · national

Deadline: cutoff — Runs to periodic calls with distinct strands, historically including a general strand and dedicated female-founder and regional strands.

Your odds

Not published

This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.

Effort

major

Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.

Who can apply

Under 5 years old
micro enterprises
Sectors: deeptech, ai, health, climate, any
Stage: pre_seed
Locally registered entity required

Replaced the Competitive Start Fund. For manufacturing or internationally traded services companies with export potential. Requires matching private investment in most strands.

How to apply

Confirm the company meets Enterprise Ireland's HPSU criteria (exporting, scalable, innovative)
Discuss with an Enterprise Ireland adviser or a Local Enterprise Office
Submit the application in an open call window
Assessment and investment committee decision
Investment agreement and mentoring assignment

What you will need

Business plan
Financial projections
Cap table and shareholder details
Evidence of matching private investment where required

Apply on the funder's site

Source. https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/pre-seed-start-fund — checked 2026-08-14

"Funding and supports for early-stage companies ... 10 mentoring sessions ... investment of either EUR 50,000 or EUR 100,000."