Looking Ahead: Preparing Your Business Finance for the End of Summer and Q4

A little planning now can set you up for a smoother year-end

It might still feel like summer, but in just a few weeks, the pace of business will pick up again. Customers will be back in full swing, the phones will ring more often, and Q4 targets will start to come into focus.

For many business owners, late August and September bring a shift from holiday mode into growth and planning mode — and that includes thinking about funding.

Why It Pays to Think Ahead

1. Get your figures in order
With your latest accounts filed and summer trading behind you, lenders will have a clear, up-to-date view of your performance. That makes this a good time to check what your business could qualify for.

2. Plan without the pressure
Right now, you have the breathing room to explore options without the deadlines and urgency that come later in the year. You can weigh up the best type of finance for your plans — whether that’s working capital, stocking, or equipment upgrades.

3. Spot opportunities early
Sometimes, the best opportunities come to those who are ready. Having funding pre-approved now means you can act quickly if a supplier discount, bulk order deal, or new project comes your way in Q4.

4. Avoid the year-end bottleneck
Lenders get busy later in the year. By having your plans in place ahead of time, you won’t be competing for attention during the pre-Christmas rush.

Funding You Might Consider Before Q4

• Working capital to smooth cash flow when things get busier

• Stock and inventory finance to buy ahead of seasonal price rises

• Asset finance for equipment or vehicles you’ve been holding off on

• Flexible repayment loans for shorter-term projects or campaigns

Final Thought

You don’t need to make big finance moves today — but a quick check on your options now could make the months ahead far easier. By the time summer winds down, you’ll be ready to focus on growth rather than scrambling for last-minute approvals.

We can give you fast, no-obligation feedback on what’s available based on your latest figures, so you can step into Q4 prepared and confident.

Want to Know If You Could Qualify for a Business Loan? We’ll Tell You, No Fuss

At BusinessLoans.ie, we talk to Irish business owners every day who are wondering the same thing:

“Would my business even qualify for a loan?”
“How much could I actually borrow?”
“Would the bank even look at me?”

The truth is, many good businesses aren’t sure if they’re ‘ready’ for finance — and by the time they need it, it can feel like a mad scramble.

That’s where we come in.

We Make Business Finance Less of a Mystery

We don’t just fire off applications. We help business owners understand what’s possible — and we do it fast, with no pressure.

• Get quick feedback on how lenders will view your business

• Learn what kind of loan or finance might suit your situation

• Find out how much you could realistically borrow

• Understand what’s needed — in plain English

Whether you’re looking at unsecured loans, equipment finance, stocking loans, or revenue-based lending, we help you prepare without the guesswork.

No Forms. No Fees. No Fuss.

To get started, we just need:

• Your most recent accounts

• A few months of business bank statements

From there, we’ll give you honest, practical feedback — no strings, no pushy sales pitch.

Why It Pays to Be Funding-Ready

The best time to explore finance isn’t when you’re under pressure. It’s when you’ve got breathing room to plan ahead.

Getting funding-ready now means:

• You can negotiate better terms

• You’ll have options, not just emergency loans

• You can act fast when opportunity knocks

Whether it’s working capital, expansion, new equipment or a stock order — it’s easier to move when the finance is already lined up.

Ready for a Free Finance Check?

No obligations. Just straight answers on where you stand and what’s possible.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

Trade Uncertainty? How Business Loans Can Support Export Diversification

As new US tariffs hit Irish exporters, many SMEs are reassessing their markets and margins. Here’s how business finance can help you adapt.

A new trade deal between the EU and the United States introduces a 15% tariff on a wide range of European exports. While this offers some stability after months of uncertainty, it’s still a significant increase from the much lower tariffs in place before—and it’s putting real pressure on Irish businesses trading into the US.

If your business relies on exports to the US, you may already be feeling the squeeze. But with the right financial support, there’s an opportunity to refocus and build new routes to growth.

What’s Changed and Why It Matters

As of July 2025, Irish businesses exporting goods like food, drink, pharmaceutical components, semiconductors and machinery to the US will face a standard 15% tariff.

Enterprise Ireland estimates that €3.8 billion worth of exports could be affected, across hundreds of Irish SMEs. Many of these operate with tight margins and limited capacity to absorb new costs.

Some may choose to pass those costs on, others may renegotiate contracts—but many are now asking: Is it time to explore new markets?

Why Diversifying Export Markets Makes Sense

If you’ve focused heavily on the US for growth, it’s worth looking at alternative regions where the barriers are lower and the returns more stable. These could include:

• The UK and Northern Europe

• Canada and other EU trade agreement partners

• EU member states with rising demand for Irish-made goods

Making this kind of shift takes planning, and it often takes funding too—whether to invest in new packaging, logistics, certifications or simply to support a temporary cash flow gap while new sales come in.

How Business Finance Can Help

At BusinessLoans.ie, we work with businesses making moves like this all the time. Here’s how the right loan or funding solution can support your export strategy:

Working capital loans
Support short-term costs like marketing, stock purchases, or onboarding new clients in different regions.

Trade finance or invoice finance
Release cash tied up in international invoices or supplier orders, especially if you’re negotiating longer terms with new buyers.

Asset finance
Fund equipment upgrades or manufacturing changes to meet export regulations or scale production for a new market.

A Simple Plan to Move Forward

Here’s a basic framework for exporters thinking about making a change:

1. Review how much of your turnover depends on US exports

2. Recheck pricing and margins with the new tariffs factored in

3. Research alternative markets that suit your product and capacity

4. Identify what funding might be needed to make the switch

5. Speak to us—we’ll help you explore your finance options

Supporting Irish Businesses Through Trade Changes

BusinessLoans.ie helps Irish SMEs get access to fast, flexible funding—without the red tape. Whether you’re dealing with a cash flow gap, planning an expansion, or adapting to a changing market, we’re here to help.

• Unsecured loans up to €500,000

• Fast turnaround times

• No obligation to proceed

Get in touch today to explore your options.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

How We Helped an Irish Car Dealer Secure €150,000 for Upgrades — When the Bank Said No

At BusinessLoans.ie, we recently helped a well-established Irish car dealership secure €150,000 in funding to upgrade their premises, expand their servicing area, and invest in key workshop machinery.

The finance was approved on a 36-month term with manageable monthly repayments, giving the business the confidence and flexibility to move forward without putting pressure on day-to-day cash flow.

What made this deal particularly satisfying?
It came through a referral from another dealer we had helped earlier this year — one who’d faced roadblocks with his bank and shared our details after a successful experience.

“He told me what you sorted for him — my bank was dragging their heels, so I gave you a shout,” the client said.

Days later, the finance was secured, and he could finally move ahead with long-planned upgrades.

This kind of direct referral is a real vote of confidence — and a sign that the alternative finance market is delivering where the traditional players often fall short.

If you're running a motor business and looking to:

• Renovate or expand your premises

• Upgrade your equipment or servicing capacity

• Unlock funding fast — without jumping through hoops

We’re here to help.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

Don’t Wait Until You’re Desperate: What a £4.1 Billion Founder Can Teach Irish SMEs About Business Finance

Richard Harpin, the British entrepreneur who built and sold HomeServe for £4.1 billion, recently shared a simple but powerful lesson:

"Never raise money when you’re desperate. Raise when you have momentum, not when you’re running out of cash."

At BusinessLoans.ie, we see this play out every day.

Irish business owners often wait until things are tight—cash is low, payments are late, and pressure is mounting—before seeking finance. But that’s the worst time to negotiate a good deal.

Instead, smart businesses secure funding when things are going well—when they have traction, confidence, and options.

Why timing matters

Raising finance when you’re in a strong position gives you three key advantages:

1. Better terms and more lender options
Lenders respond well to confidence. When your accounts are healthy and you’re trading steadily, you’ll qualify for faster approvals, lower rates, and higher loan amounts.

2. Flexibility to repay early
Many unsecured loans we arrange come with no early repayment penalties. That means you can borrow for 36 months and pay it off early if your cash flow improves—saving interest along the way.

3. Freedom to seize opportunities
With cash in place, you can act quickly on growth opportunities—whether that’s bulk-buying stock, hiring staff, expanding premises, or investing in equipment.

Use funding as a tool, not a last resort

Too often, Irish SMEs view finance as something to turn to only when things go wrong. But in reality, funding should be used proactively to protect cash flow and support growth.

That’s where we come in.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we help business owners across Ireland access unsecured loans, revenue-based finance, and asset finance—with no upfront fees and fast decisions.

Our job is to show you what’s possible—before you need it.

Find out how much your business could borrow today.
No pressure. No commitment. Just straight answers and funding options that work for you.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

How This Irish Startup Used Trade Finance to Unlock Growth and Cash Flow

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business — especially when you’re early-stage, growing fast, and need to hold stock to meet demand. But what if you could sell first and pay later?

That’s exactly what one of our recent clients — a young Irish business in the motorsports industry — achieved using a flexible trade finance facility we arranged through a leading non-bank provider.

The Challenge: Stocking Up Without Running Dry

Our client had just secured valuable contracts to sell motorcycles — a major opportunity to expand. They were already selling accessories online and at events, but stepping into bike sales required holding expensive stock, going to shows, and increasing visibility to new buyers.

Cash flow was tight. Bank finance wasn’t a fit. And tying up working capital in inventory would have slowed down everything from marketing to sales to hiring.

That’s where we came in.

The Solution: Buy Now, Pay Later for B2B

Through our lending partner’s innovative buy now, pay later solution for businesses, we helped them access trade finance — a facility that allows businesses to:

• Pay suppliers upfront (on the client’s behalf)

• Get goods in quickly

• Repay the facility up to 120 days later

The result? Our client could now:

• Hold motorcycles in stock to meet new demand

• Attend shows with display models ready to go

• Keep cash available for marketing, wages, and growth

All while avoiding the usual stress of large upfront supplier payments.

How Trade Finance Helps Irish Businesses Scale

This type of facility is ideal for growing businesses that import goods or need to purchase large volumes from suppliers, especially if:

• You want to avoid cash flow dips caused by big stock orders

• You’re tired of making small orders and paying too much per unit

• You’d benefit from early payment discounts with your suppliers

• You want to improve margins without chasing risky loans

With trade finance, you can often negotiate better pricing with suppliers while improving your own working capital position.

Flexible, Transparent, and Fast

There are no recurring fees or hidden costs — you simply pay a flat fee per invoice, and only when you use it.

Many of our clients find that supplier discounts and bulk savings outweigh the finance cost, leading to better margins and higher profitability overall.

Ready to Break Free from Cash Flow Constraints?

If your business needs to hold stock, manage long payment cycles, or stop tying up working capital in inventory — we can help.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we work with trusted partners to provide smart finance solutions that help Irish SMEs grow without unnecessary pressure.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

How We Helped an Irish Business Secure €300,000 in Flexible Funding — Even After the Banks Said No

Irish Business Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated — If You Know Where to Look

At BusinessLoans.ie, we believe most Irish SMEs don’t have a funding access problem. They have a funding fit problem.

The banks want perfect. The real world isn’t perfect.

That’s where we come in.

We help Irish business owners secure unsecured funding up to €500,000 in as little as 48 hours — even if the banks say no.

Real Results: €300,000 Approved Fast for an Irish Business in Growth Mode

A recent client came to us with big plans — expanding into a new facility, taking on larger contracts, and growing their team.

But like many Irish businesses right now, they’d hit a wall:

• Fit-out and construction costs had inflated significantly

• Their term lender had reached the maximum they could approve

• They needed flexible capital fast — or risk stalling their plans

That’s when we stepped in.

Through one of our trusted alternative lending partners, we arranged a €300,000 flexible facility — structured over 12 months, with small, regular direct debits.

Instead of rigid lending criteria and endless paperwork, the lender used read-only open banking to assess cash flow in real-time. Once half of the facility was paid down, the client could top up quickly — creating a revolving line of credit, not a dead-end term loan.

The best part? The funding was approved and accessible within days. No delays. No drama. Just working capital that worked with the business.

This is What Modern Business Lending Looks Like

We don’t just “help Irish SMEs get loans.”

We help business owners get the right funding, at the right time, on the right terms — so they can focus on growing instead of stressing over finance.

Here’s what makes our offer different:

✅ Clear result: Up to €500,000 in unsecured business finance
⏱️ Specific timeline: Approvals in as little as 24–48 hours
❌ Removes pain: No fees to apply, no early repayment penalties, no unnecessary paperwork

Ready to Grow? Let’s Get to Work

If your business is hitting a wall with traditional lenders — whether it's for working capital, expansion, renovation, or bridging a cash flow gap — don’t wait.

We’ll show you what’s actually possible.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

Irish Business Sales and Acquisitions Are on the Rise – Here’s How to Prepare

Across Ireland, more small business owners are exploring what’s next. Some are stepping back and planning for retirement. Others are looking to grow through acquisitions or attract a strategic buyer. And many are simply trying to strengthen their position for whatever opportunities lie ahead.

We’re seeing a clear shift: more Irish businesses are changing hands, merging, or expanding than in recent years. What’s behind it? A mix of ambition, succession planning, and fresh interest from overseas buyers.

If you’re thinking about growth, passing your business on, or improving your finances before a future sale, now is a good time to take action.

Why funding matters in this environment

Whether you're taking over a family business, buying out a competitor, or just preparing for your next chapter, the right finance can make all the difference. At BusinessLoans.ie, we help small business owners secure flexible funding for:

• Management buyouts – when key team members want to take over

• Acquisitions – to grow by buying another business

• Succession planning – helping owners step back on their terms

• Working capital – to strengthen the business ahead of a potential sale

In many cases, access to finance is what turns a good opportunity into a done deal. We work with a wide range of lenders across Ireland to make that happen — often faster and more flexibly than traditional routes.

Thinking about your next move?

You don’t have to be a large company to consider acquisition, growth or succession. Many small business owners are making moves this year — and finance doesn’t have to be a barrier.

If you’d like to explore what’s possible, we’re here to help. There’s no cost or obligation to get started — just a conversation about what you want to achieve and how finance might support that.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 to learn more or APPLY HERE.

Helping an Irish Business Scale with Cash Flow and Asset Finance Solutions

At BusinessLoans.ie, we recently supported a growing Irish business that’s expanding rapidly and needed the right finance solutions to match its ambitions.

The business has been trading for around four years and has already become one of the market leaders in its specialist sector. With turnover reaching €1 million last year and projected growth of 30%+ this year, the company is reinvesting heavily in people, contracts, and equipment.

The Challenge: Scaling With Tight Margins

While the business was close to break-even due to reinvestment, it faced a common challenge for fast-growing firms: managing cash flow while expanding operations. On top of that, a delay in obtaining a tax clearance certificate meant that many lenders would not proceed with a traditional application.

Despite this, the business had a solid foundation — steady revenue, clear demand for its services, and a strong growth trajectory. What it needed was a lender that could assess the broader picture and offer flexible solutions.

The Solution: Flexible Loan + Asset Finance

Working closely with our network of non-bank lenders, we were able to arrange:

• A €35,000 flexible repayment loan to support short-term cash flow, giving the business breathing room to hire technicians and invest in equipment.

• Asset finance for a new commercial vehicle, helping the company serve more industrial contracts across the country.

These solutions were tailored to the company’s immediate needs, while also preparing it for longer-term success.

What Made This Possible?

• Clear revenue performance and pipeline: The business had already generated €400,000 in revenue in the first half of the year.

• Growth-focused leadership: The founder had a clear plan for where the funding would go — directly into expansion and delivery capacity.

• Fast communication and document preparation: Despite not having a tax clearance cert initially, the client kept us updated and worked proactively with their accountant.

Need Finance to Grow?

If your business is growing but cash flow is tight, or if you're facing hurdles like delays in tax clearance or slim margins, we can help.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we work with lenders who understand the challenges of fast growth and offer:

• Unsecured business loans up to €500,000

• Asset finance for equipment and vehicles

• Flexible repayments aligned with your cash cycle

• Fast decisions, even with complex cases

Let’s talk about what’s possible. No upfront fees. Straightforward advice.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

New One-Stop Hub for Irish Business Support: What SMEs Need to Know About the National Enterprise Hub

Many Irish business owners still assume government support is hard to access – too many forms, too many agencies, or only relevant for start-ups. That’s no longer the case.

The new National Enterprise Hub (NEH) has changed how Irish SMEs can access advice, funding, and supports. It brings together over 240 government-backed supports from 30+ departments and agencies into one place — www.neh.gov.ie.

As a business loan brokerage working daily with Irish SMEs, we think this is a great development — and one that complements the fast, flexible finance options we arrange through BusinessLoans.ie.

What is the National Enterprise Hub?

The National Enterprise Hub is a free, government-run service designed to save Irish business owners time and hassle. Instead of navigating multiple websites and departments, the NEH helps you find the right supports for your business based on your industry, size, location, and growth goals.

Supports include:

• Grants and funding options

• Mentoring and training

• Digital transformation advice

• Sustainability supports

• Export and trade assistance

• Access to Local Enterprise Offices and enterprise agencies

Even better — the NEH offers real-time help from business advisors by phone or online chat, Monday to Friday. That human element means you can talk through your needs and be matched with the most relevant support.

Why It Matters to Irish SMEs

For business owners trying to grow, hire, invest or modernise, this is a valuable tool. Many Irish companies miss out on funding because they either don’t know it exists or find the application process too complex.

The NEH helps you:

• Quickly identify what you’re eligible for

• Access support tailored to your stage of business

• Avoid duplication and confusion across agencies

• Speak directly with an advisor, not just read a webpage

If you're running your business day-to-day without a dedicated finance or admin team, this kind of practical guidance can save you time — and money.

Combine Government Support with Private Business Finance

At BusinessLoans.ie, we help businesses access unsecured loans, asset finance, bridging loans, and revenue-based finance — often within days.

We believe in a combined approach:

• Government supports might cover part of a project (e.g. training or tech upgrades),

• While short-term finance can bridge the funding gap or give you room to act now.

For example:

• Use a digital grant to start a new online sales channel, and fund the rest with working capital finance.

• Receive export advice and combine it with a business expansion loan to break into new markets.

• Access a sustainability grant and top it up with equipment finance for new machinery.

Government support can go further when paired with the right business loan at the right time.

Where to Start

1. Visit the National Enterprise Hub:
   Go to www.neh.gov.ie and explore what’s available.

2. Speak with an NEH advisor:
   Get free guidance on what’s most relevant for your business goals.

3. Talk to BusinessLoans.ie:
   If you're planning to invest in growth, but need fast access to capital — we can help you compare your finance options with no obligation.

Business support should be easier. Now it is.
With over 240 supports in one place, and a team of advisors to guide you, the National Enterprise Hub is a valuable resource for any Irish business. And if private finance can help you move faster, we’re ready to support you too.