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.

Recent deal: How We Helped an Irish Contractor Unlock Growth Finance for European Projects

At BusinessLoans.ie, we work with ambitious Irish businesses across construction, contracting, engineering, and manufacturing — helping them access fast, flexible business loans to fuel growth.

One of our clients — a specialist contractor with operations across Ireland and mainland Europe — recently returned to us for additional funding. Back in late 2024, we arranged a €150,000 unsecured working capital facility to support mobilisation for a large international project.

Now, with a new contract underway and a growing pipeline of work, we’ve just refinanced and increased their funding to €250,000 — giving them the cashflow needed to keep moving without disruption.

Why Working Capital Matters for Irish SMEs

Many Irish businesses face a common challenge: upfront project costs and delayed payments.

Whether you’re a:

  • Contractor bidding on public or private sector tenders

  • Engineering or manufacturing firm supplying equipment or services

  • Construction business managing multiple jobs across locations

  • Exporter handling logistics, staffing, and materials abroad

… the gap between doing the work and getting paid can stretch your cashflow — especially when scaling up.

That’s where flexible business finance makes the difference.

What We Delivered

✅ Refinance and boost of original loan from €150K to €250K
✅ Fast turnaround based on company performance — not just credit history
✅ Funding tailored to international project requirements
✅ No delays, no rigid repayment terms, no personal guarantees required (in this case)

This is what growth finance is meant to do: bridge the funding gap so Irish SMEs can win bigger contracts, manage costs, and keep building.

Need Finance to Fund Your Next Project?

If you're expanding operations, hiring staff, investing in equipment, or working on longer-term contracts, BusinessLoans.ie can help you access:

  • Unsecured business loans

  • Working capital finance

  • Project mobilisation loans

  • Bridging loans for contract funding

  • Merchant cash advances for seasonal businesses

We fund businesses across Ireland from €10,000 to €500,000, with a focus on fast access, flexible terms, and real-world understanding of how business works.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 for fast finance quotes; or APPLY HERE.

Irish CFOs Face Growing Uncertainty – But Smart Investment Still Leads the Way

The latest CFO Spring Survey 2025 from Deloitte paints a complex picture for Irish businesses. On one hand, CFOs are facing mounting pressure from geopolitical risk, economic headwinds, and margin squeeze. On the other, Irish companies continue to show resilience through strategic investment, particularly in capital spending, talent, and sustainability.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we see this dual reality play out every day. SMEs are cautious, but not standing still. Many are pushing ahead with plans for growth – especially those investing in digital tools, improving efficiency, or preparing for regulatory shifts. Here’s what you need to know from the survey, and how flexible finance can support your business through 2025.

📉 Risk Appetite at Historic Lows

According to Deloitte, 86% of Irish CFOs say it’s not a good time to take more risk – up sharply from last year. Uncertainty has surged, with 60% now reporting high levels of concern about external disruption.

Key risks flagged by Irish finance leaders:

  • Economic outlook (83%)

  • Geopolitical instability (80%)

  • Cyber threats (74%)

  • Skills shortages (51%)

  • Increasing regulation (46%)

This mirrors what we hear from SMEs: there’s a clear caution around borrowing, especially longer-term or inflexible debt. That’s where alternative finance solutions can make a difference.

⚙️ Despite Headwinds, Investment Continues

Here’s the good news: Irish CFOs are still planning to invest – more so than many of their European peers. According to the survey:

  • 36% plan to increase capital expenditure (above the EU average)

  • 40% are increasing spending on digital transformation

  • 40% are investing in ESG and sustainability

  • Less than 14% plan to reduce headcount, compared to 35% across Europe

This aligns with a clear message from Deloitte’s Tom Hynes:

“Ireland still presents opportunity. A significant number of CFOs believe there’s more scope to grow foreign direct investment... But the slower pace of digital transformation in Ireland is a concern. This is an area where companies need to act now to remain competitive.”

💡 Smart Finance for Strategic Moves

At BusinessLoans.ie, we work with growing businesses across sectors – from tech and manufacturing to hospitality and retail – who are investing in:

  • Equipment upgrades and automation

  • Refurbishment and energy efficiency

  • Talent acquisition and training

  • Marketing and digital transformation

We know that traditional lenders aren’t always equipped to support businesses during times of high uncertainty. That’s why we partner with a range of alternative finance providers to offer:

  • Fast unsecured business loans up to €500,000

  • Flexible repayment terms up to 5 years

  • Bridging and asset finance for CAPEX investments

  • Non-bank funding for businesses with seasonal cash flow or complex credit histories

🔮 Looking Ahead

Deloitte’s report calls on CFOs to remain “future-focused” and to balance short-term cost control with long-term investment. The companies that do both will come out stronger.

If you're planning to upgrade, expand, or adapt in 2025, but need a funding partner who understands today’s challenges, talk to us at BusinessLoans.ie. We’ll help you secure the right finance – fast, flexible, and fit for your future.

Let’s turn uncertainty into opportunity. Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

Irish SMEs Take Centre Stage at InterTradeIreland’s Funding Advisory Workshop

This week, we attended the Funding Advisory Service Workshop hosted by InterTradeIreland and delivered by Grant Thornton Ireland, and came away energised by the evolving funding landscape for Irish SMEs.

Held in Dublin and packed with founders, advisors, and funders, the event offered insight into the growing number of traditional and alternative financing routes now open to Irish businesses seeking to grow.

Key Highlights:

1. Entrepreneurial Resilience: Peaches Kemp’s Fireside Chat
Peaches Kemp, co-founder of the itsa..Group, shared her journey — from importing 80,000 bagels in a container back in the early 2000s to building one of Ireland’s best-known hospitality groups. Her key message: focus on profit over turnover, lean on mentors, and make decisions fast using reliable financial data.

2. Getting Funding-Ready
A panel of funders from Enterprise Ireland, Microfinance Ireland, the SBCI, and Grant Thornton stressed that SME founders need to be prepared:

  • Keep financials up to date and accessible

  • Use your Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to strengthen applications

  • Explore new green lending channels via SBCI

  • Plan ahead to take advantage of Ireland’s new Angel Investor Relief, active since March 2025

3. The Rise of Non-Bank Lending
It was striking to see only one traditional bank lender on the final panel. Alongside AIB were Linked Finance, Beach Point Capital, and GRID Finance — all of whom are actively lending and bullish on SME growth.

Takeaway? Irish SMEs have more funding options than ever — but success depends on being well-prepared, building relationships, and thinking long-term.

Thanks to InterTradeIreland and Grant Thornton for organising such a practical, founder-focused event. If you're growing a business in Ireland, don’t overlook the wealth of advice and funding out there.

📌 Need help navigating the options? Reach out to us at BusinessLoans.ie — we help Irish SMEs find fast, flexible funding every day.

What Irish SMEs Can Learn From Fintech Summit 2025: Trends, Insights & Opportunities

The Fintech Summit 2025 gathered some of Ireland’s brightest minds in financial services, with a strong focus on the future of funding, banking, payments, AI, and cybersecurity. But beyond the buzzwords and future-gazing, one clear truth stood out:

Irish SMEs need funding that’s simple, fast, and built around real business needs.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we believe fintech should be more than innovation for its own sake—it should empower business owners to act quickly and grow confidently. Here's what we took from this year’s summit—and how we're helping make that a reality.

🔍 Key Takeaways for Irish Business Owners

1. AI is Powerful, But People Still Matter

AI was everywhere at this year’s summit. From smarter underwriting to faster decisions, it’s transforming how finance works. But many speakers reminded us: technology must be grounded in trust, transparency, and responsibility.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we combine intelligent tools with real human support—so you get the clarity, confidence, and speed your business needs.

2. Accessing Finance Is Still Too Hard

Despite all the innovation, many Irish SMEs still face barriers: complex application processes, lack of guidance, and fragmented financial data. These roadblocks slow businesses down at the exact moment they need to move fast.

That’s why we make business funding as straightforward as possible. One short form gives access to multiple funding options—without the runaround.

3. Beware Staggered or “Tranched” Funding

One speaker shared a hard-earned lesson: staged funding—offered in instalments based on hitting milestones—can create serious cash flow problems. It sounds flexible, but can leave businesses short right when they need stability.

That’s why we work with lenders who offer clear, reliable, and timely funding, so you’re not left chasing the next tranche while trying to stay afloat.

Why More Irish SMEs Choose BusinessLoans.ie

✔️ Irish-based and Irish-owned
✔️ One simple form → access to Ireland’s top alternative lenders
✔️ Fast turnaround and funding for a wide range of needs
✔️ Options for working capital, stock, tax bills, equipment, expansion & more
✔️ Expert support from people who know the Irish market

Let’s Make Finance Work for You

The Fintech Summit 2025 showed just how fast the industry is evolving. But through all the change, one thing hasn’t: Irish businesses still need funding they can understand, trust, and use—without delay.

If you're ready to explore your finance options, call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.