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.

The Central Bank of Ireland’s latest Financial Stability Review paints a clear picture: Irish companies are holding back on new investments as global uncertainty rises. Tariff tensions between the US and its trading partners, combined with volatility in financial markets, have left many businesses in “wait-and-see” mode.

But while some companies are sitting on their hands, others are quietly positioning for growth — and access to fast, flexible finance is helping them do it.

What’s Going On?

According to Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf, “industry engagement points to cautiousness amongst companies, at least for now, in terms of new investments.” There’s evidence that uncertainty — particularly around US tariffs — has already softened consumer sentiment and prompted Irish firms to delay decisions.

Add to that:

Increased risk of borrowing cost rises, with 40% of Irish mortgages still on variable rates.
Non-bank real estate lenders under pressure from global financial markets.
Slower growth forecasts for key trading partners like the US.

It’s no surprise some businesses are playing defence.

But Not Everyone Can Afford to Wait

Despite the nervous headlines, the Central Bank also notes that Irish businesses have built up financial resilience over the past decade. Many have strong balance sheets and untapped capacity for growth — if they can get the right funding.

And that’s where opportunity lies.

The Opportunity in Uncertainty

At BusinessLoans.ie, we’re seeing increased interest from businesses looking to:

Access working capital to protect cash flow and stock up ahead of supply chain shifts.
Invest in productivity (new equipment, software, automation) while competitors hold back.
Refinance expensive debt, especially with market rates expected to rise.
Secure bridging finance for property or development projects where banks are slowing down.

These businesses aren’t gambling — they’re hedging against uncertainty by staying liquid, flexible, and prepared.

How BusinessLoans.ie Can Help

We work with a wide panel of non-bank lenders, including some of the fastest, most flexible funding partners in Ireland. Whether you’re a retail business preparing for a tough winter, a manufacturer in the MNE supply chain, or a property developer hit by capital pullback, we can help you move forward — without the red tape.

✅ Unsecured business loans up to €500,000
✅ Asset finance for machinery, vehicles, and tech
✅ Bridging and development finance, even for non-bankable deals
✅ Working capital solutions to support day-to-day resilience

Final Word: The Cost of Standing Still

History shows that the businesses that thrive during uncertainty are those that invest wisely while others freeze. With the right finance partner, you can stay one step ahead — and be ready when the market turns.

💬 Ready to talk? Reach out today to explore your options with a trusted Irish broker who understands the market. Call 01 55 636 55.