An Irish podcast created by kids, for kids aged five to 12; a start-up that develops advanced sensor devices to monitor insect pollinators; AI-driven home-monitoring systems designed to enable older adults to live safely and independently in their own homes; and an Irish charity dedicated to educating, empowering and inspiring girls and young women by creating safe, supportive spaces in schools, online and in communities across Ireland – these are just a few of the winners of this year’s Three Ireland SME Grant Programme.
Delivered in partnership with business-support platform Enterprise Nation and funded by Three Ireland, the programme awards 10 selected businesses €5,000 in cash and €5,000 worth of Three connectivity and device solutions each, along with ongoing support from Three Ireland’s team of in-house business experts.
The programme, now in its fifth year, has provided Irish SMEs with more than €750,000 of investment by Three since 2021 across products and services, advertising and PR support, as well as access to industry expertise.
“The Grants for Small Businesses programme has been a standout initiative for Three Ireland, and we’re extremely proud of how it has grown and evolved,” says Three Ireland head of SME Padraig Sheerin. “Now in its fifth consecutive year, our partnership with Enterprise Nation continues to deliver crucial support for small businesses, empowering them to progress and thrive on their journeys.
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“This year, we received over 3,000 extremely strong applications from an incredible range of businesses, each demonstrating impressive ambition, innovation and drive – reaffirming the strength of Ireland’s entrepreneurial spirit. The standard of entries has been outstanding. It was very difficult to choose the shortlist of 20 finalists and even harder to select the 10 winners, such was the quality of the presentations. Huge thanks to each and every one of the businesses who took the time and put in the effort to enter.”
In addition to Sheerin, this year’s judging panel comprised Michael O’Dea, a senior development adviser with Enterprise Ireland; former Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan, who is now chief commercial officer and co-founder of PepTalk; Joanne Mangan – Ireland country manager, Enterprise Nation; and 2021 grant winner and founder of Her Sport Niamh Tallon.
“As a judge on this programme, I have been in a privileged position to see first hand some of Ireland’s most innovative and ambitious SMEs in action,” says Brogan. “The business environment is rapidly evolving, with connectivity becoming increasingly central for all businesses. The volume of applications received in the face of ongoing global uncertainty is a testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Irish businesses, and I wish all applicants future success. The supports offered through this programme cannot be understated, as they have the potential to transform a business on its journey of success.”
This year’s winners are:
AllSkills Education – Carlow
AllSkills Education & Tech specialises in enhancing financial and digital literacy through engaging programmes and tailored software solutions.
Allta Ecology – Galway
Allta Ecology is a Galway-based consultancy that specialises in habitat restoration, biodiversity enhancement and ecological surveying for clients ranging from farms and gardens to renewable-energy and construction projects.
Fzin Coffee – Cork
Fzin is a Cork-based coffee company dedicated to crafting premium, award-winning blends with a focus on sustainability, including the production of 100 per cent compostable coffee capsules.
KidCast – Kildare
KidCast is an Irish podcast created by kids, for kids aged five to 12, featuring hosts who interview guests, report child-friendly news and share fun-fact segments from voices around Ireland and beyond.
Polliknow – Dublin
Polliknow is a climate-tech start-up that develops advanced sensor devices and computer-vision software to monitor insect pollinators in their natural habitats, providing scalable biodiversity data to support ecological conservation.
Smart Space Technologies – Wicklow
Smart Space Technologies specialises in AI-driven home-monitoring systems designed to enable older adults to live safely and independently in their own homes.
The Shona Project – Waterford
The Shona Project is an Irish charity dedicated to educating, empowering and inspiring girls and young women by creating safe, supportive spaces in schools, online and in communities across Ireland.
TrustDish – Cork
TrustDish is a Cork-based Irish food-tech company that offers a digital allergen-management platform designed to help food businesses stay compliant and allergy-sensitive diners feel safe.
Well Fed Meals – Waterford
Well Fed is a Waterford-based meal-delivery company offering chef-prepared, high-protein and macro-friendly meals delivered across Ireland.
XiV Clothing – Donegal
XiV Clothing is a contemporary Irish streetwear brand that draws inspiration from the rich heritage and vibrant culture of Ireland.
“The quality of this year’s winners is testament to the level of education and skills we have in the country,” says Sheerin. “It’s great to be part of the programme. The combination of cash and technology awarded to the winners is unique. We bring them together with experts in Three to see what they can do with our products and solutions. We match our solutions to where they want to go and what they want to achieve.”
