Digital Selling Capability Grant

Invest NI are committed to building retail for a stronger economy. They have announced a third call for their COVID-19 Digital Selling Capability Grant (DSCG) which will help established retail and wholesale businesses in Northern Ireland to grow their business online. It's time!

We - Web Bureau - are delighted to be listed as one of the Consulting Agencies. We've laid out some of the key requirements and links to application forms. These kind of schemes are exactly what businesses need in this time of change, and we want to ensure you have the best odds!

The scheme is open to applications until 5pm on Friday 15 October 2021.

DSCG is developed and operated by Invest Northern Ireland.

How to apply

As a small or medium-sized retailer or wholesaler, you are eligible if:

• Your business operation is based in Northern Ireland and has been trading at least 2 years.
• You are a small or medium-sized business employing 5 or more full-time equivalent staff in Northern Ireland.
• You are a retail or wholesale business with physical retail or wholesale premises in Northern Ireland, accessible to the public.
• Where your business turnover includes income from sources other than your retail or wholesale premises, more than 50% of your total turnover/sales/revenue must be from your retail/wholesale operation (i.e. you are NOT primarily a manufacturer, producer, engineering or services business, etc.)
• Your business has an existing online presence such as a business website or social media channels.
• Your business has a physical product, or a range of physical products, that can be sold online and shipped to customers.
• In either the current or previous two financial years, more than 50% of your revenue has come from offline sales instead of online sales.
• Your project is not receiving any other public funding, such as government or European Union funding.
• You are able to deliver your project, pay the costs in full to your supplier(s) and submit your claim to Invest NI before 28 February 2022.

Please note, if you are a business, which is part of a group structure or has the same ultimate ownership, you can only submit one application across the group of businesses. When evaluating if a business is a small or medium-sized business, Invest NI will consider the group structure as a whole, including the resources of all companies where there is common ownership.

Who is not eligible?

The following businesses are not eligible to apply:

• Businesses that cannot demonstrate they have a viable and profitable operation.
• Businesses involved in the primary production of agricultural products, fisheries and aquaculture.
• Businesses providing hospitality and leisure services such as hotels, pubs, cafes and restaurants.
• Businesses involved in the provision of a service such as travel agents, estate agents, photographers, delivery services, mechanics and tyre fitting services, grooming and beauty services, hair salons, tattoo artists, funeral directors, medical, dental and veterinary practices, accountancy, legal and financial services and insurance broker services.
• Franchisees of retailers for whom the franchisor provides material online support such as online marketing or e-commerce expertise.
• Businesses involved in activities that Invest NI considers as ineligible or as involving an unacceptable reputational risk, such as gambling, adult entertainment, tobacco products and cannabis-based products, which are not, authorised as medicines.

Timescales

DSCG is now open via a competitive call for applications.

This third call for applications will close at 5pm on Friday 15 October 2021.

Please read and check your application form before submitting it as corrections or additional information provided after the closing date will not be accepted.

How to apply

Your first step is to check if you are eligible to apply for DSCG. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be able to access the online application. The application process takes approximately one hour to complete.

Apply here: COVID-19 Digital Selling Capability Grant - third call (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)

What Next?

Not sure what to do or where to start? Talk to us, we would be happy to help and give you support so you can start growing your presence online today! Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to expand your business!

Speak to one of our digital experts today! 

Dublin +353 1 424 4443
Belfast +4428 9073 1190 
Email: info@thewebbureau.com