Programmes & Learning

Donegal creative businesses are trading to the world online with the help of a scheme by Donegal Local Enterprise Office. The Trading Online Voucher (TOV) is designed to help businesses reach new markets by expanding their business online; it offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 with co-funding of 50% from the business for a new website.
During the past year, online sales have been a lifeline to many creative businesses in the county and one local business that managed to increase its sales during the pandemic is Cathal Sheridan, who runs HuKu Balance. Working with Donegal Local Enterprise Office, Cathal secured a Trading Online Voucher to set up an e-commerce website and now trades to the world from his base in Creeslough:

“HuKu balance creates sustainable and beautiful balance boards for improving core strength, balance, co-ordination and reaction time” says Cathal.

“Although we could never have imagined this at the start of March, the last few months have been extremely busy, and at the beginning of Lockdown, there was an explosion in sales. We were projecting a monthly increase anyway, but with the Lockdown restrictions, surfers couldn’t get into the water, runners and cyclists couldn’t get out as much and people couldn’t get to the gym, so they were looking for alternatives. Thankfully – and largely because of the work we had done with our Local Enterprise Office last year through the Trading Online Voucher – HuKu was in a strong position to continue trading, so we capitalised on worldwide demand for our product during that period.” says Sheridan.

To get an application for your business for the Trading Online Voucher it is compulsory to attend an Information Session. They are held monthly and you can book in here: