Our €3,500 Grant recipient.
Thank you to every Irish small business that applied or was nominated for the Advanced Solutions Small Business Website Grant 2026.
Congratulations to V.L.I. COVER!
We’re delighted to announce V.L.I. COVER, a marine canvas and upholstery business based in Castleconnell, as the recipient of our €3,500 Small Business Website Grant 2026. The recipient was selected following a review of eligible submissions against the published criteria.
Congratulations to V.L.I. COVER on being selected for the €3,500 professional website project. We look forward to bringing their new website to life.
Global Irish Genealogy
Genealogy & Historical Research
Meath
CrackIt Learning Ltd
Education Technology
Sligo
V.L.I. COVER
Marine Canvas & Upholstery
Castleconnell
Not through a template giveaway, but through the same strategy, design and development process we use on professional client projects.
A better website can change what happens next.
Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats. Customers, stock, staff, accounts, suppliers and day-to-day operations often come before improving your online presence.
But when your website is outdated, unclear, difficult to use - or simply doesn’t exist - it can quietly hold the business back.
So Advanced Solutions is going to build one properly.
We’re looking for a small business with a good story, clear ambition and a genuine opportunity where a stronger website could make a meaningful difference.
This was an application-based grant. The recipient was selected against the published criteria below, not by followers, likes or shares.
A complete website project. Not just a template.
The selected business will go through a real Advanced Solutions website process from discovery to launch.
Discovery & Strategy
A focused session to understand the business, audience, goals and what the website needs to achieve.
Custom Website Design
A modern design direction tailored to the business rather than an off-the-shelf generic layout.
WordPress Development
Up to five core pages, fully responsive across desktop, tablet and mobile.
SEO Foundations
Search-friendly page structure, core metadata, heading hierarchy and technical basics prepared from launch.
Analytics Setup
Google Analytics and Google Search Console setup so the business can start measuring performance.
Hosting & Launch Support
12 months of standard website hosting plus 30 days of reasonable post-launch support.
You didn’t need the worst website in Ireland.
What mattered was the opportunity a stronger website could create.
- ✓ A business with an outdated website that no longer reflects its quality.
- ✓ A local business relying mainly on Instagram or Facebook.
- ✓ A new business preparing to launch professionally.
- ✓ A family-run or independent business ready for its next stage.
- ✓ A business that needs clearer enquiries, bookings, leads or customer information online.
Nominations are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who put forward a small business for consideration.
The initial review is now complete.
Nominations closed at 23:59 Irish time on 12 October 2026. The initial review has now been completed, and the three finalists have been announced publicly.
Selected on potential, not popularity.
No public voting. No “most likes wins”. Eligible applications have been reviewed by Advanced Solutions against these criteria.
How much difference could a stronger website make?
The story, purpose and people behind the business.
The current problem or gap we can realistically solve.
What the business wants the website to achieve.
Ability to provide content, feedback and decisions within the project timeline.
From application to launch.
Applications Closed
Applications and nominations closed at 23:59 Irish time on 12 October 2026.
Review Complete
Eligible applications have been assessed against the published selection criteria.
Finalists
Our three finalists were announced publicly on 19 October 2026.
Build
Discovery, design, development, feedback, optimisation and launch.
Alongside the €3,500 Website Grant recipient, each finalist will receive an Advanced Solutions website review. If a finalist does not currently have a website, we’ll provide a digital presence review instead.
We’ll also select 20 additional high-scoring eligible applicants to receive a complimentary short review highlighting practical opportunities across their website, online visibility or wider digital presence.
Real websites built for different kinds of Irish businesses.
Small Business Website Redesign
Unique Day Spa - premium website transformation
Restaurant Website + SEO
La Vespa - new business launch in Dublin
Showroom Website + Digital Presence
Lakeshore Bathrooms - local retail and showroom business
Professional Services Website
MWB Advisory - authority, trust and lead generation
Congratulations to V.L.I. COVER!
The review is complete, and V.L.I. COVER has been selected as the recipient of the €3,500 Website Grant, announced on 22 October 2026.
What happens next?
The recipient has been announced, following the selection of three finalists.
Grant information.
Is the website really free?
Yes. The selected business will not be charged for the agreed grant scope. Optional functionality or services outside the included scope can be quoted separately, but there is no requirement to purchase anything.
Did applicants need to already have a website?
No. Businesses with no website and businesses with an existing website were both eligible to apply during the entry period.
Was this a random draw?
No. V.L.I. COVER was selected by Advanced Solutions against the published criteria. Likes, shares and follower counts did not determine the result.
Were start-ups eligible?
Yes, provided the business was based in the Republic of Ireland, had a genuine plan to trade and was ready to provide the information and decisions required for the project.
Were online shops eligible?
An ecommerce business could apply, but the Grant itself covers a standard small-business website rather than ecommerce functionality. If a shop is essential to the project, any additional scope would need to be agreed separately before acceptance.
What if I need more than five pages?
The grant covers up to five core pages. Additional pages or functionality can be discussed separately, but purchasing extras is never a condition of receiving the included project.
What do you need from the selected business?
Timely access to business information, logos and imagery, reasonable feedback, approvals and confirmation that you have the right to use any content supplied to us.
Will the project be shown publicly?
Yes. The selected business must agree to Advanced Solutions documenting and showcasing the website transformation as a case study. Any personal interview, testimonial, photography or video beyond the website project will be handled separately and only with appropriate agreement.
Could somebody nominate a business without asking first?
Yes. Third-party nominations were accepted during the entry period using basic public business information. A nomination alone was not a valid final entry - an owner or authorised representative must accept the nomination and confirm participation before the business can be selected. Nominations are now closed.
Do finalists receive anything?
Yes. All three finalists will receive a complimentary Advanced Solutions website review. If a finalist does not currently have a website, we’ll provide a digital presence review instead, focused on their current online presence and recommended website priorities.
Do any other applicants receive anything?
Yes. In addition to the three finalists, 20 additional high-scoring eligible applicants will receive a complimentary Digital Opportunity Snapshot - a short practical review highlighting selected opportunities across their website, online visibility or wider digital presence.
Who received the Grant, and when was it announced?
V.L.I. COVER, based in Castleconnell, was announced as the recipient of the €3,500 Website Grant on 22 October 2026. The three finalists were announced on 19 October 2026.
Small Business Website Grant 2026
These terms governed the Advanced Solutions Small Business Website Grant 2026 and remain published here for reference.
- Promoter. The promoter is Advanced Solutions (“Advanced Solutions”, “we”, “us”). The campaign is the Advanced Solutions Small Business Website Grant 2026 (“Grant”).
- Eligibility. The Grant is open to owners or authorised representatives aged 18 or over applying on behalf of a small business based and trading, or genuinely preparing to trade, in the Republic of Ireland. Employees of Advanced Solutions, contractors directly involved in administering the Grant and their immediate families are not eligible.
- Entry period. Applications open on 15 September 2026 and close at 23:59 Irish time on 12 October 2026. Entries received outside this period may be disregarded.
- No purchase. No purchase or payment is required to apply. Purchasing products or services from Advanced Solutions does not improve an applicant’s chances of selection.
- How to apply. Applicants must submit the official application form and provide the information requested. One substantive application per business is permitted. Advanced Solutions may contact an applicant to clarify information supplied.
- Nominations. A third party may nominate a business using public business information. A nominated business is not eligible for selection unless an owner or authorised representative confirms participation and acceptance of these Terms.
- Selection. This is not a random draw. Eligible applications will be assessed by Advanced Solutions using the published criteria: potential impact (30%), business story (25%), digital need (20%), clear goals (15%) and project readiness (10%). Advanced Solutions’ assessment will be made in good faith and the final selection decision is final, subject to applicable law.
- Finalist reviews. Each of the three announced finalists will be offered a complimentary Advanced Solutions website review. Where a finalist does not currently have a website, Advanced Solutions may provide a digital presence review instead. The scope and format of the review will reflect the business’s current digital presence and is not transferable or redeemable for cash.
- Digital Opportunity Snapshots. In addition to the three finalists, 20 additional high-scoring eligible applicants will be offered a complimentary Digital Opportunity Snapshot. This is a shorter review highlighting selected practical opportunities across the applicant’s website, online visibility or wider digital presence. The Snapshot is separate from the finalist review, is not transferable or redeemable for cash, and does not require the applicant to purchase any service from Advanced Solutions.
- Grant scope and value. One selected business will receive website strategy, design and development services with a commercial value of up to €3,500. The standard scope includes up to five core pages, responsive WordPress development, basic on-page SEO foundations, standard enquiry functionality, Google Analytics and Search Console setup where appropriate, 12 months of standard hosting and 30 days of reasonable post-launch support.
- Excluded scope. Unless Advanced Solutions expressly agrees otherwise in writing, the Grant does not include ecommerce, large directories, memberships, complex booking systems, bespoke software, extensive integrations, paid third-party licences, domain fees, professional photography/video, large-scale copywriting, ongoing SEO campaigns or ongoing maintenance beyond the stated support period.
- No required upsell. The selected business is under no obligation to purchase any additional service. If additional functionality is requested, scope and price must be agreed separately before that additional work begins.
- No cash alternative. The Grant is not transferable, refundable or redeemable for cash or credit. The website project is provided to the selected business only.
- Project readiness. The selected business must provide reasonable access to information, content, branding assets, approvals and feedback needed to complete the project. The selected business confirms that it owns or has permission to use all materials supplied to Advanced Solutions.
- Acceptance. The selected business must accept the Grant and confirm its willingness to proceed within seven calendar days of being contacted. If it does not respond, is found to be ineligible, cannot reasonably participate or materially changes the proposed project, Advanced Solutions may select another eligible applicant.
- Project schedule. The project timetable will be agreed following discovery. Delays caused by missing content, approvals, access or circumstances outside Advanced Solutions’ reasonable control may extend the schedule.
- Case study. Participation as the selected business includes permission for Advanced Solutions to display the completed website, business name, logo and non-confidential project material in its portfolio and to document the website transformation as a case study. Personal interviews, individual photographs, video recordings and testimonials are not automatically required and will be subject to separate agreement where applicable.
- Publicity. Finalists and the selected business may be announced on the Advanced Solutions website and social channels after confirmation. Advanced Solutions will not publish confidential application information without an appropriate basis or permission.
- Privacy. Personal data submitted for entry will be used to administer the Grant, verify eligibility, communicate about the application and meet applicable legal obligations. Entry does not require consent to receive unrelated marketing. Where an applicant separately opts into marketing, that preference will be handled independently and may be withdrawn at any time. The Advanced Solutions Privacy Policy also applies.
- Disqualification. Advanced Solutions may reject an application containing false or misleading information, infringing content, abusive conduct, attempted manipulation of the selection process, or a project that cannot lawfully or reasonably be delivered.
- Changes or cancellation. If circumstances outside Advanced Solutions’ reasonable control make the Grant impossible or materially impractical to operate as described, we may amend, suspend or cancel it. Any material change will be communicated on the campaign page and will not be used to unfairly disadvantage an applicant.
- Social platforms. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or any other social platform used to communicate it. Entrants release those platforms from responsibility for administration of the Grant to the extent permitted by law.
- Governing law. These Terms are governed by the laws of Ireland. Nothing in these Terms limits rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Congratulations, V.L.I. COVER!
V.L.I. COVER has been selected for the €3,500 Website Grant. Thank you to all applicants, and congratulations to our other finalists, Global Irish Genealogy and CrackIt Learning Ltd.