Master prompt
STEP business plan + competent state agency support letter (Ireland)
Draft the STEP application business plan, target the right competent state agency (Enterprise Ireland HPSU / IDA / Udaras na Gaeltachta), and prepare the pitch + agency-engagement strategy.
IrelandInvestor visaSTEPEnterprise IrelandHPSUIDA IrelandBusiness plan
You are preparing the STEP business plan and competent state agency engagement strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] under the proposed Irish entity [COMPANY_NAME] in the [SECTOR] sector.
REGULATORY ANCHOR
- ISD Start-up Entrepreneur Programme policy (Department of Justice)
- Enterprise Ireland HPSU (High Potential Start-Up) framework
- Companies Act 2014 — for Irish company incorporation
- DETE Employment Permits Acts (relevant if hiring non-EEA staff later)
WHY THIS PROMPT MATTERS
The STEP application stands or falls on (a) the business plan persuading a competent state
agency (CSA) that this is a HPSU, and (b) the CSA support letter that accompanies the ISD
submission. ISD does NOT independently assess innovation or scalability — they defer to the
CSA. So the agency engagement is the load-bearing step.
§1 — CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMPETENT STATE AGENCY
Match [SECTOR] + [INNOVATION_THESIS] to the right agency. Target agency: Enterprise Ireland HPSU.
ENTERPRISE IRELAND (EI) — HPSU TEAM
Right for: technology / FinTech / MedTech / SaaS / Engineering / Food Innovation /
Internationally Traded Services where founder is non-EEA and venture will be
headquartered in Ireland for global scaling
Engagement: HPSU pre-screen via enterprise-ireland.com -> contact HPSU manager for sector
Decision criteria: innovation, scalability to EUR 1m+ turnover within 3-5 years, export
orientation (typically 75%+), 10+ jobs in Ireland by Y3
Typical lead time: 6-12 weeks engagement + 4 weeks for support letter
IDA IRELAND
Right for: foreign-owned multinationals relocating / expanding into Ireland (NOT for
individual entrepreneurs founding new ventures unless backed by foreign corporate parent)
Engagement: IDA sector executive
Generally NOT the right agency for STEP individual applicants
UDARAS NA GAELTACHTA
Right for: businesses locating in designated Gaeltacht regions (Donegal, Galway, Mayo,
Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Meath Gaeltacht districts)
Engagement: Udaras Enterprise Officer for the relevant Gaeltacht
Niche route; consider only if applicant is committed to a Gaeltacht location
RECOGNISED INVESTOR
Right for: applicants already in active discussions with an Irish VC fund or angel
network on ISD's accepted-investor list (e.g. Atlantic Bridge, Frontline, Delta Partners,
HBAN syndicate)
Letter format: confirms relationship, mentorship, and (ideally) a financing
commitment or in-principle intent
This route is FASTER than CSA route if a credible investor is engaged
For [CLIENT_NAME]: target Enterprise Ireland HPSU. State rationale in 2-3 sentences.
§2 — STEP BUSINESS PLAN STRUCTURE (the load-bearing document)
The business plan must satisfy BOTH the CSA's innovation/scalability lens AND ISD's good-
character/intent-to-reside lens. Recommended structure (15-25 pages):
COVER PAGE
[COMPANY_NAME] | STEP application business plan | Confidential | Prepared [date]
Founder: [CLIENT_NAME] | Sector: [SECTOR] | Proposed location: Dublin
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (1 page)
- One-line proposition
- [INNOVATION_THESIS] reframed in plain English
- Capital ask + use of funds (EUR [CAPITAL_DEPLOYMENT_EUR])
- Y3 metrics: EUR [YEAR_3_TURNOVER_TARGET_EUR] turnover, [YEAR_3_JOBS_TARGET] jobs,
[EXPORT_PERCENT]% export
- Founder credibility (one paragraph)
2. PROBLEM AND MARKET (2-3 pages)
- Customer problem with quantification (TAM / SAM / SOM)
- For [SECTOR]: cite EI sector reports, Eurostat data, IBEC sector briefs
- Indian / global / European market sizing as relevant
- Why Ireland is the right HQ (Eurozone access, English-speaking, EU regulatory base,
talent pipeline from Irish universities)
3. SOLUTION AND INNOVATION (2-3 pages) - CRITICAL FOR CSA
- Expand [INNOVATION_THESIS] into concrete features
- What is novel? (technology / business model / go-to-market / regulatory positioning)
- IP position: patents filed, trade secrets, exclusive rights, regulatory approvals
- Demonstrable differentiation vs incumbents (named competitors)
- Technical depth: architecture diagram, key algorithms, manufacturing process, etc.
(whatever fits [SECTOR])
4. TRACTION AND VALIDATION (1-2 pages)
- Existing customers, pilots, LOIs, MOUs
- Revenue (if any) to date
- User metrics (DAU/MAU, retention, NPS) if SaaS / consumer
- Industry recognition (accelerator, demo days, awards)
5. GO-TO-MARKET (2 pages)
- Channel strategy
- Pricing
- Sales motion (direct, partner, self-serve)
- Year-by-year customer acquisition plan
- Marketing budget allocation
6. COMPETITION (1 page)
- Honest competitor map
- Why [COMPANY_NAME] wins specific segments
- Defensibility / moat
7. TEAM (1-2 pages)
- [CLIENT_NAME] founder bio with relevant experience
- Co-founders (if any) with roles
- Advisory board
- Planned hires (technical, sales, ops) over Y1-Y3 building to [YEAR_3_JOBS_TARGET]
- Address the 50/50 EEA/non-EEA staffing trajectory implicitly
8. FINANCIAL PLAN (2-3 pages) - CRITICAL FOR CSA + ISD
- Year 1: revenue, COGS, opex, EBITDA, headcount, cash
- Year 2: same
- Year 3: targeting EUR [YEAR_3_TURNOVER_TARGET_EUR], [EXPORT_PERCENT]% export
- Year 5: optional stretch
- Sources and uses of EUR [CAPITAL_DEPLOYMENT_EUR] capital
- Sensitivity analysis (downside case)
- Path to profitability or follow-on funding
9. EXPORT ORIENTATION (1 page) - EI loves this
- Why this business is internationally traded by nature
- Target export markets (typically EU/UK/US for Irish HPSUs)
- Channel for non-Irish revenue
- Currency / regulatory considerations
10. RISK AND MITIGATION (1 page)
- Market risk, execution risk, regulatory risk, talent risk
- Specific mitigations
- Why founder is the right person despite each risk
11. USE OF STEP GRANT + FOUNDER COMMITMENT (1 page) - bespoke for STEP
- Confirm [CLIENT_NAME] is committed to operating the business from
Dublin
- Confirm intent to reside in Ireland for the duration of Stamp 4
- Family arrangements (spouse + children if applicable)
APPENDICES
- Founder CV
- Detailed P&L
- IP / patent documents
- LOIs / customer contracts
- Cap table
§3 — COMPETENT STATE AGENCY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
Step-by-step approach for Enterprise Ireland HPSU (default for most cases):
WEEK 1-2: Pre-screen
- Send 2-page summary deck to HPSU sector manager via enterprise-ireland.com contact
- Subject: "STEP candidate seeking HPSU pre-screen - [COMPANY_NAME] - [SECTOR]"
- Ask for 30-minute call
WEEK 3-4: Pitch call (30-60 minutes)
- HPSU manager assesses innovation, scalability, founder credibility
- Be prepared for hard questions on market size, competition, technical defensibility
- Outcome: "yes, submit full plan" / "no, not HPSU fit" / "come back with traction"
WEEK 5-8: Submit full business plan
- HPSU panel review
- Possible follow-up interview
- Decision on whether EI will issue support letter
WEEK 9-12: Support letter issued
- Format: letter on EI headed paper from HPSU manager
- Confirms: engagement, view that the venture is innovative + scalable + HPSU-fit,
EI's intent to support the founder under HPSU framework
- The letter does NOT have to commit EI funding; engagement / mentorship is sufficient
§4 — DRAFT TEXT FOR CSA SUPPORT LETTER (for client to send EI as a template, then EI redrafts)
Suggested wording for HPSU manager to consider:
"To Whom It May Concern - ISD Start-up Entrepreneur Programme Unit:
Enterprise Ireland has reviewed the business plan and pitch submitted by [CLIENT_NAME]
in respect of [COMPANY_NAME], a proposed Irish-headquartered venture in the [SECTOR]
sector. Based on our assessment, the venture meets Enterprise Ireland's High Potential
Start-Up criteria with respect to innovation, scalability, and export orientation. The
founder has the relevant domain experience and capability to execute the plan as
presented. Enterprise Ireland's HPSU team is engaged with [CLIENT_NAME] on an ongoing
basis and views the venture as a credible candidate for support under the HPSU framework
subject to standard milestone progression.
Accordingly, Enterprise Ireland confirms its support of [CLIENT_NAME]'s application
under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme.
[Sector Manager name, title]
HPSU Team, Enterprise Ireland
[Date]"
EI will rewrite in their own voice. Do not insist on specific wording.
§5 — STEP SUBMISSION PACK TO ISD
After CSA support letter received, submit to ISD:
(a) Completed STEP application form (current version - verify at irishimmigration.ie)
(b) The CSA support letter from Enterprise Ireland HPSU
(c) Full business plan as drafted in S2
(d) Proof of EUR 50,000+ funding in client's personal control (bank statements, ITR,
asset statements - see separate prompt: ie-investor-source-of-funds-fema-lrs)
(e) Police clearance from each country resided 6+ months in last 10 years (PCC from
Indian VFS / FBI Identity History Summary / UK ACRO etc.)
(f) Passport biographical page + all visas/stamps
(g) Birth certificate (long form; apostilled if non-English)
(h) Marriage certificate (if spouse joining; apostilled)
(i) Birth certificates for dependent children (if joining; apostilled)
(j) Private health insurance evidence (Irish-acceptable policy for whole family)
(k) Accommodation plan / lease for Dublin
(l) STEP application fee: EUR 350 // 2026-05 - verify
(m) Authorisation letter for solicitor / immigration consultant if represented
§6 — TIMELINES AND DECISIONING
- ISD STEP processing: 3-6 months from submission (mid-2026 - verify)
- On approval: Stamp 4 granted for 2 years; family members get Stamp 4 (spouse) or
Stamp 3 (dependants depending on category)
- Year 1-2: build out business per plan
- After 2 years: STEP renewal application based on demonstrated progress vs plan
(turnover, jobs, export, capital deployed)
- After 5 years total: Long-Term Residence / naturalisation eligibility
§7 — RED FLAGS THAT KILL STEP APPLICATIONS
- Plan reads like a consultancy or services business with no scalable product
- Year 3 turnover target below EUR 500,000 (too small for EI HPSU)
- Export % below 50% (signals domestic-only play, not "internationally traded")
- Headcount target below 10 by Y5 (too small)
- Founder has no relevant sector experience or technical depth
- Capital available below EUR 50,000 (below STEP statutory floor)
- Source of funds murky or sanctioned-jurisdiction-adjacent
- Recent criminal / regulatory blot without rehabilitation evidence
§8 — IF EI DECLINES TO SUPPORT
If Enterprise Ireland declines:
(a) Ask for written feedback on what would change their view
(b) Consider whether traction milestones (paying customers, MVP launch) would change
the answer in 6-12 months
(c) Consider a recognised investor route instead (Irish VC commitment letter can
substitute for CSA support)
(d) Consider whether the proposition is actually a STEP fit or whether self-sponsored
CSEP via Irish company incorporation is the better long-term route (separate
prompt: ie-investor-employment-permit-entrepreneur)
End with: "DRAFT STEP business plan and CSA engagement strategy - for solicitor or qualified immigration consultant review. Verify against current ISD STEP guidance and Enterprise Ireland HPSU criteria before submission. The CSA support letter is the load-bearing document; do not submit to ISD without it. EI engagement typically takes 3 months end-to-end - do not promise the client a faster timeline."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt