By the end of this guide, you’ll understand the Ireland Entrepreneur Programme’s core requirements, its evolution and impact, key success factors, benefits beyond funding, how it compares with other EU offers, tax and residency considerations, and real-world success stories. Let’s dive in.

Programme Essentials

Ireland’s Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) invites non-EEA founders to establish innovative companies here. It’s managed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, which oversees visa and residency permissions for business applicants.

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be outside the EEA when you apply.
• Your proposal needs to demonstrate a High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) business model, aiming for international sales and rapid growth.
• You must commit to a central management role in the company.

Funding & Investment Requirements

• A minimum personal investment of €50,000 is required, either from you or from approved third-party investors.
• Funds must be in place and unencumbered at application.

Performance Milestones

• Creation of at least 10 full-time jobs in Ireland within 3–4 years.
• Generation of €1 million in sales revenue within the same period.

Programme Origins & Growth

From Conception to Today

The Irish government approved STEP in May 2018 to replace earlier investor schemes and sharpen the focus on innovation, as detailed on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website. Since launch, it’s approved dozens of ventures that now employ Irish graduates, build export income and fuel R&D.

Impact on Ireland’s Startup Ecosystem

Early assessments show STEP companies
– Attract networks of mentors and VCs through Enterprise Ireland.
– Increase regional job creation outside Dublin.
– Forge collaborations with local universities on tech transfer.

Key Success Factors

You’ll stand out if you emphasize:
1. A clear route to export markets beyond Ireland’s 5 million consumers.
2. A scalable technology or service with defensible IP.
3. Strong governance: defined roles, board structure and reporting lines.
4. Partnerships with local research institutions for co-development.
5. A contingency plan for potential market or regulatory shifts.

Beyond the Basics: Benefits & Supports

Residency & Family Permit

Successful applicants receive a two-year permission stamp, extendable for three more years, as explained by Citizens Information. Spouses and dependents qualify for the same permission.

Research & University Integration

• Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork have dedicated tech-transfer offices that partner with STEP firms.
• Enterprise Ireland offers Innovation Vouchers to access academic expertise.

Regional Incentives

Counties outside Dublin can provide:
– Lower commercial rents via Local Enterprise Offices.
– Co-working spaces with subsidized membership.
– Targeted grants for R&D in food, marine, agritech and green energy.

A European Comparison

Ireland’s STEP sits alongside other EU initiatives:

• The UK Innovator Founder Visa requires £50,000 investment and board-level endorsement.
• The Portugal Startup Visa targets 10 job creation or €325,000 investment.
• The Netherlands’ Start-up Visa links to a government-approved facilitator for one year.

Tax Residency & Planning

Participating entrepreneurs become Irish tax residents once present for 183 days in a calendar year or 280 days over two years, as outlined by Revenue Ireland.
– Ireland’s corporate tax rate is 12.5 % on trading income.
– Double-tax treaties cover over 70 countries, reducing withholding taxes on dividends and royalties.

Success Stories & Alumni

“Virgin Media Ireland was founded by entrepreneurs who entered through STEP and now serve over 1 million homes” – a testament to the programme’s ability to turn early-stage ventures into market leaders.

Other alumni include:
– A cleantech firm exporting battery-management systems across Europe.
– A medtech start-up that raised €20 million in Series A funding.

Your Launchpad Awaits

Ireland’s Entrepreneur Programme offers more than a visa—it unlocks access to a robust support infrastructure, international markets and a skilled workforce. By aligning with STEP’s requirements, leveraging academic partnerships and planning for tax and residency, you set the stage for sustainable growth. Are you ready to start your application journey?