Businesses urged to go digital at National Ploughing Championships

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD encouraged businesses to go digital today at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, County Laois. 

Minister Calleary urged small businesses to embrace all things digital and avail of the new €5,000 Grow Digital Voucher to help streamline digitisation. 

The Grow Digital Voucher has replaced the previous Trading Online voucher and is available to businesses with up to 50 employees. The voucher offers enhanced supports for small businesses through the funding of a wider range of digital solutions with all businesses eligible, irrespective of export status.

This voucher is part of the new Grow Digital Portal developed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The portal is a free service which enables businesses self-assess their digital capability with a personalised scorecard and recommendations aimed at driving efficiencies. The Grow Digital Voucher can be used to help businesses act on these recommendations.

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At today's National Ploughing Championships, Minister Calleary emphasised how the voucher is helping small businesses digitise by availing of solutions such as payroll, customer insights and cyber security. 

Minister Calleary said: "This voucher will help businesses invest in digital offerings for their operational needs, such as software tools to offer online booking, AI to streamline stock control and of course cybersecurity support, all designed to modernise operations and boost efficiency.

"Available throughout the country’s Local Enterprise Offices, the new Grow Digital Voucher will help small businesses reap the benefits of digital and stay competitive."

He added: "The Grow Digital portal is a free digital toolkit designed to support businesses in embracing the opportunities offered by digital technologies. Businesses can do a 5-minute assessment to find out how digitally ready they are, plan their next steps, and access valuable resources and support.

"They can also read about other business’ digital success stories from across Ireland. This drive is part of Government’s wider commitment to support business under the SME Package."