02 July 2023 · Residency and Citizenship Paths · Ireland
Ireland Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme: An Insider Mentor’s Guide
Written by Ciarán, accelerator mentor, eternal optimist, and habitual flat-white drinker.
When founders in our Dublin co-working space hear “Irish startup visa,” they instinctively picture surfing green bureaucracy until the Atlantic swallows them whole. The reality? A remarkably streamlined programme—if you understand what the evaluators want, meet the funding bar, and land with the right local support network.
In this long-form guide I’ll share the exact playbook I use when coaching international teams for Ireland’s Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). Expect honest anecdotes, nitty-gritty checklists, and a sprinkling of Gallows humour—all in roughly the time it takes to enjoy a plate of chips at Leo Burdock’s.
Why Ireland Bets Big on Global Founders
Ireland punches above its weight in tech exports, foreign direct investment and pure craic. Since 2012, STEP has deliberately lured entrepreneurs who can:
- inject high-potential jobs into the economy,
- commercialise innovative intellectual property, and
- scale beyond our five million-person domestic market.
Politicians get tax receipts, clusters get talent, and you get an EU base with native-English legal systems. Win-win-win.
“Irish red tape is still tape, but it comes in a friendly shade of green.”
—A Danish founder after his first STEP board meeting
STEP in One Paragraph (30-Second Brief)
Secure €50,000 in funding, prove your product is innovative, file a five-page business plan, clear police checks, and—assuming approval—receive a renewable two-year residence permission (Stamp 4) for you and immediate family. That permission lets you run your company anywhere in the Republic, raise additional capital, and pivot without begging for new visas every time your business model changes. Bliss.
Funding & Innovation Criteria
1. The €50k Capital Bar
Think of €50,000 as your ante for the Irish poker table. It must be:
- Readily available: cash in your name or convertible note from recognised investors.
- Provable: bank statements, escrow letters, or VC term sheets—no IOUs from your cousin Paddy.
- Dedicated: earmarked for the Irish entity you’ll incorporate post-approval.
For co-founding teams, each additional founder triggers another €50k, capped at €300k for the application. (A trio needs €150k, not €50k.)
Mentor tip: Convertible SAFE notes denominated in EUR look less exotic to evaluators who sign off in government offices, not Silicon Valley cafés.
2. What Counts as “Innovative”?
The Department of Justice uses Enterprise Ireland’s “High Potential Start-Up” yardstick:
- New or unique technology, process or IP.
- Capable of international markets and €1m+ sales within 3–4 years.
- Headquartered—or at least materially present—in Ireland.
If your business is another café chain or property flipping scheme, STEP isn’t your stage. But a machine-learning tool for global supply chains? Roll out the green carpet.
3. Job Creation Expectations
There’s no explicit headcount quota, but reviewers love projections of 10+ skilled jobs in three years. Package engineers, sales reps and ops hires convincingly and you’ll calm any doubts.
Preparing the Legendary Five-Page Proposal
I’ve seen founders submit 40-page epics only for staff to print the first five before voting. Save the rainforest (and your chances) by mastering the official template.
Page-by-Page Breakdown
-
Executive Summary (≈½ page)
Snap, crackle, pop. State the problem, your solution, market size and quick revenue model. -
Founder & Team (½ page)
Bullet bios, domain expertise, and prior exits (or glorious failures—Irish audiences appreciate honesty). -
Product & Innovation (1 page)
Explain what’s novel. Diagrams fine; jargon fatal. Reference existing IP registrations or patent filings if any. -
Market & Competition (1 page)
TAM/SAM/SOM numbers, top three competitors, and why you outrun them. Evidence beats optimism. -
Financials & Job Plan (1 page)
36-month P&L forecast, burn rate vs. €50k, and headcount ramp. Show the path to Series A or breakeven.
Formatting Commandments
- Avoid 8-point font; reviewers are human.
- Insert your company logo—tiny, top right—so each printout looks intentional.
- Use headings mirroring the checklist; it subconsciously ticks their boxes.
Inside scoop: The panel rotates between senior civil servants and EI technologists. Make it legible for both the policy wonk and ex-CTO.
What Reviewers Really Look For
- Credibility of funding source – Bank letters on official headings.
- Scalability – Will revenues come from outside Ireland?
- Spill-over benefits – Knowledge transfer, supply-chain spending.
- Risk mitigation – Are key hires already identified? Do you have initial pilot customers?
- Regulatory fit – Fintech or med-tech must address compliance strategy.
I often advise founders to add a “What Could Go Wrong & Our Plan B” paragraph. Counter-intuitive? Maybe. But it shows maturity and reduces perceived risk.
Application Timeline
Below is a realistic clock from “idea that STEP exists” to passport-stamped entry.
| Week | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 0–2 | Collate funding evidence, police certs, notarised passports |
| 3–4 | Draft five-page plan; mentor review; iterate |
| 5 | Submit online via INIS portal; pay €350 fee |
| 5–10 | Background checks, panel review; requests for clarity |
| 11 | Provisional approval (or painful refusal) |
| 12–15 | Transfer €50k into Irish bank; show proof |
| 16 | Receive Letter of Approval in Principle |
| 17 | Apply for entry visa (if required) |
| 18–20 | Land in Ireland; register with immigration; obtain Stamp 4 |
Average span: 4–5 months. Faster than many comparable schemes, slower than ordering a pint.
Pro-move: Submit Q1 or Q3. August vacations and December holidays notoriously slow file movement.
Landing Services & Supports
Securing residency is only half the adventure. The real test starts at Dublin Airport arrivals.
1. Incorporation & Banking
- Register a Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD) via CRO (€50, online).
- Open a business bank account—prepare for KYC marathons. Bring STEP approval letters for context.
- Consider Enterprise Ireland’s €50k Convertible Equity option; they’ll match your capital and offer seasoned development advisors.
2. Incubators & Accelerators
Ireland boasts a disproportionately enthusiastic incubator scene. A quick sampling:
- NDRC – National accelerator, pre-seed funding plus mentors like yours truly.
- Dogpatch Labs – River-Liffey-view co-working and a who’s-who founder community.
- NovaUCD – University research spinout hub; good if you need lab space.
3. Soft-Landing Grants
Local enterprise offices (LEOs) reimburse up to €15k for market-exploration expenses. Hail them early.
Mentor tip: Budget line items citing “LEO Feasibility Fund” indicate savvy resource utilisation—another subtle win during post-arrival audits.
4. Family Integration
Schools accept applications year-round; EU student fees often match citizens after five years’ residence. Healthcare? Stamp 4 holders can apply for public services card and GP Visit Cards for kids under eight.
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | How to Dodge |
|---|---|
| Banking on crowdfunding pledges | Crowdfunding isn’t “readily available capital.” Secure hard cash. |
| Over-engineering the plan | Five pages, not fifty. Attach an appendix only if requested. |
| Forgetting police clearance | Each country you lived in >6 months over past 5 years. Start early. |
| No Irish address | Use virtual office or incubator address while searching real estate. |
| Radio silence after queries | Respond within 5 working days or file gets iced. |
Remember: the panel wants to say yes. Make it easy.
STEP vs. Other Irish/UK Pathways
You might also be weighing the Critical Skills Employment Permit or the UK’s Global Talent Visa. Quick compare:
- Control: STEP affords founder control; employment permit ties you to an employer.
- Capital: STEP needs €50k; Global Talent demands endorsement, no set funds.
- Timeline: Critical Skills can be issued in 6–8 weeks but locks you into a salary threshold.
- Long-Term Stay: All routes can lead to citizenship after 5 years; STEP’s Stamp 4 counts the whole way.
If you’re a tech lead willing to work for Google Dublin, go Critical Skills. If you must drive your own vision, STEP is your ticket.
FAQ Lightning Round
Q: Can I recycle a plan I used for a UAE or Singapore startup visa?
A: Only if you localise market sections and address EU compliance. Copy-paste screams red flag.
Q: Are crypto ventures welcome?
A: Increasingly, yes—provided you outline MiCA regulation strategy and solid AML controls.
Q: What happens if I pivot?
A: Notify the Minister by email. As long as the new model meets the same innovation and job criteria, pivots are common and rarely denied.
Q: Renewal hurdles?
A: At year two, you’ll show progress toward projections—jobs created, funding raised. I’ve never seen a genuine, proactive founder refused.
Final Thoughts & Your Next Step
Ireland’s Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme blends pragmatic funding thresholds with Europe-wide ambition. As someone who’s shepherded dozens of founders through, I can vouch that the most prepared dominate. Nail your five-pager, assemble bank evidence, and court mentors early.
Curious whether your idea—and life—fit the Irish ecosystem? Build a data-backed, personalised relocation roadmap in minutes with BorderPilot’s free tool. I’d love to see you on our island, sipping that flat white and plotting global conquest. Sláinte!