Enterprise Ireland launches second round of the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme The second round of funding has just opened for Enterprise Ireland’s COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme — an unprecedented programme for Irish businesses facing the worst economic crisis in decades. This summer, 183 Irish companies shared €6.5 million in eCommerce improvement grants — each one funding 80% of a project that will be a lifeline in surviving the pandemic. Matrix had a 100% success rate in this first round of applications, securing over €350,000 of grant funding for our retail clients. If you missed the first round, we’re ready to partner with you this time, to reboot your whole digital strategy and boost your online sales. Only half of the applicants won funding in Round 1, so we’re proud that were able to give our project clients an edge over competitors. The Government has allocated €5.5m in this round, and this could rise — the initial funding of €2m in phase one was more than tripled to €6.5m after a huge volume of proposals. Applications for Round 2 are open from Monday, August 31, with a close date of 3pm on Monday, September 28. You now have a few weeks to develop a proposal that could save your business and transform your future. If you’re an Irish company with 10 or more staff, grab this unique opportunity to take your eCommerce to the next level and transform your business model and thrive in domestic and international markets. Enterprise Ireland expects to fund 155 companies in this round, so that’s fewer businesses, with greater competition because of the buzz generated during Round 1. It’s important to get your application in as quickly as possible so you have a chance to make an early impact. And Enterprise Ireland have warned that applications after 3pm on Monday, September 28 will be refused, with no exceptions. Our easy to follow infographic tells you all the essential information you need to know about the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme. Get our team to help with your application! Can you apply? If you’re an Irish-based B2C company with 10 or more staff and definite future export ambitions, you’re halfway there! The 183 successful first-round applicants covered virtually all sectors in Irish retail. The good news? Matrix has been on Enterprise Ireland’s approved agency panel for many years so we know what the judges want, and we can help you with the whole application process. After delivering 10 out of 10 winning applications in round 1, you can trust us to give 100% in formulating a proposal that will impress the judges again. In a webinar on September 7, Enterprise Ireland revealed that all the successful applicants engaged early with their chosen digital agency to clearly outline their ambitions. So if you tell us your story, we’ll get it across just how you’d like it to be told. Contact us now! Ignite your eCommerce with Digital Spark from Matrix In the wake of COVID-19, we have developed a dynamic eCommerce improvement initiative called Digital Spark, that will now be tailored to each State-funded project partner. Digital Spark will ignite your whole business model through the following comprehensive programme: Discovery: Interactive, collaborative online workshops to develop a new digital strategy with your team; eCommerce strategy: A new integrated blueprint to transform your branding, marketing and design; Website development: Full revamp of your eCommerce platform to create a world-class online sales channel; Support and training: Empowering your team through in-house training in SEO, social media, paid search, CRO and Google Analytics. Our Digital Spark budget has been tailored to suit your grant application of €25,000-€37,700 — and with 80% funding all of this will only cost you €5,000-€7,000! To learn more about how a Digital Spark project can help you transform your eCommerce business model, visit our dedicated Digital Spark page on our website. ********************** If you’d like Matrix to be your project partner, email ecommerce@matrixinternet.ie and we can start planning your future. Get in touch