Louth business among past winners as Three launches €100k SME grant fund

A Co. Louth business is being highlighted as a success story in Three Ireland’s Grants for Small Businesses programme, as the company announces a new €100,000 fund to support SMEs nationwide. Little Sprouts Garden Box, based in Louth, was one of just 10 winners in 2024, showcasing the innovation and potential of local enterprises on the national stage.

Three Ireland has announced it is committing a €100,000 bursary fund and a suite of technical supports to small businesses through its Grants for Small Businesses programme. Now entering a milestone fifth year, the programme offers a mix of financial support and connectivity solutions to help Irish SMEs grow and thrive. 

Little Sprouts Garden Box from Co. Louth was successful in last year’s programme and chosen as one of the 10 winners of the 2024 Grants for Small Businesses Programme.

Since Three launched the initiative in 2021, the programme has provided over €750,000 in funding, products, services and strategic support to small businesses across Ireland. This includes marketing and PR assistance, access to Three Ireland’s business tools and expert guidance on how to run a successful business.

Bernard Brogan, the Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder of PepTalk and former Dublin footballer has been announced as a new judge for this year’s programme.

The programme is funded by Three Ireland and delivered in partnership with small business support platform Enterprise Nation. In 2025, 10 selected businesses will receive €5000 in cash and €5000 worth of Three connectivity and device solutions.

Padraig Sheerin, Head of SME, Three Ireland, said: “Three is committed to helping businesses of all sizes across Ireland grow and innovate through our connectivity products and solutions. Our grant programme offers small businesses not only financial support but also practical guidance and mentorship from Three’s team of business experts. Since the launch of the SME Grant Programme five years ago, the winning teams have experienced remarkable growth and we’re proud to contribute to their success as they continue to expand.”

Bernard Brogan, co-founder of PepTalk spoke about his involvement on this year’s programme: “Initiatives such as this are crucially important for supporting SMEs in Ireland and providing them with the tools they need to succeed. The business environment is rapidly evolving, with connectivity becoming increasingly central for all businesses. Three’s financial and practical support will have a hugely positive impact for the winning firms - I look forward to working on this year’s programme and seeing the high-calibre of different businesses come through.”

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Former winner of the Three Ireland Grant Niamh Tallon will also return to the judging panel this year, bringing her expertise and continued support for Ireland’s small business community.

Niamh Tallon, founder of Her Sport and winner of the 2021 Three Ireland Grant, said: “Winning Three Ireland’s Grants for Small Businesses programme was a game-changer for Her Sport. The funding and expert support helped us grow our team, boost our visibility, and put the right tech foundations in place to scale as a young business. I’m delighted to return as a judge this year, and get a chance to meet the next wave of inspiring entrepreneurs. Having experienced the challenges of starting out in business, I encourage all SMEs to apply - you could be the next success story to emerge from the Three SME Grant Programme.”