Business and Enterprise
Boosting our business
Have a bright idea for a business? Already running your own company? Any entrepreneur can tell you that starting and running a company is one of the toughest, but most rewarding, things you can do.
In Ireland, we have a thriving and renowned culture of entrepreneurship and business ownership. Being in the common market of the European Union really helps Irish businesses.
As Ireland is an EU member, our companies can trade freely in over 27 countries without any restrictions or red tape. The EU is also committed to encouraging innovation, and ensuring a competitive and fair marketplace.
The EU makes it easier for Irish people to start new companies and supports Irish companies doing business internationally. This helps Irish businesses to stay up and running, creating and protecting jobs.
How does Europe benefit Irish business?
Gives us access to millions of customers
Our companies can sell their products or services to any other EU country as well as elsewhere, without having to pay extra charges or taxes. We're a small country, but our EU membership gives us access to a mega-marketplace within which we can expand and compete.
Lets us punch above our weight
We are represented by the EU at global trade talks, meaning that Irish interests are backed up by the world's biggest trading bloc.
Creates a level playing field
EU competition laws ensure markets are regulated fairly, so large companies cannot use their dominant status to stifle competition and innovation.
Championing small business
If you want to start a business or if you already run a small- to medium-sized company, the EU can help you, with a vast array of grants and finance schemes and constant work to cut the red tape involved in starting a business. If you would like to know more, visit our dedicated SME portal (http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sme/index_en.htm) where you can:
- Learn more about securing European funding
- Find advice on starting and growing your business
- Discover how to take advantage of the single market
- Access support services
Irish Business in Europe looking forward
In Ireland, our economy is becoming services-based and strongly focused on research and development. The EU will continue to help our growth by funding innovation and research, and investing in our workforce to make sure it is highly skilled and ready for the future.
With EU support, Irish companies can thrive and compete globally. Here are some ways in which our entrepreneurs and business owners will continue to benefit from the EU:
- Between 2008-2013, Ireland hopes to secure over €600 million in EU funding from FP7 (the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development). Find out more here: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ideas/home_en.html
- Irish companies will benefit from €30 billion allocated by the EU to support small and medium-sized businesses in these tougher economic times
- As the EU completes future trade deals, Irish companies will be able to trade freely with even more countries around the globe
Learn more
Watch a short video on enterprise
Watch a short video on internal markets
Watch a short video on trade
Your Europe – Business (advice on doing business in the EU)
European Business & Innovation Centre Network
Irish Business Innovation Centres
Enterprise Europe Network
Putting small businesses first (how the EU directly and effectively helps small businesses)
Vaccinate your business against bad times (self-assessment screening)