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.

The Irony of Business Lending (And What to Do Instead)

“A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.”
– Bob Hope

If you’ve run a business in Ireland for any length of time, chances are you’ve come up against this irony yourself.

You finally decide it’s time to invest in stock, equipment, hiring, or even just ease cash flow — and what does the bank say?

“Come back when you have 2 years of perfect accounts, positive net profits, and six months of flawless bank statements.”

It’s frustrating, especially when you know your business has potential — just not the paperwork to match.

Why Traditional Banks Often Say No

Banks aren’t designed for speed or flexibility. Their rules are shaped by regulation, risk committees, and standardised scorecards. So even healthy businesses can be turned away for reasons like:

  • Late filing or unaudited accounts

  • A dip in profits (even if temporary)

  • Being a relatively new business

  • Needing “too little” or “too much”

  • Directors with some Central Credit Register history

  • Seeking funds on short notice

In short, banks often lend to those who don’t urgently need the money.

But most real businesses operate in the opposite reality — opportunities (and cash flow issues) appear fast. You either move on them or miss them.

What to Do Instead

That’s where non-bank lending comes in.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we connect Irish SMEs with alternative lenders who look at your business differently. They care about:

✅ What you’re doing now
✅ What your turnover looks like
✅ Whether your cash flow supports a loan
✅ Where the opportunity lies

They’re faster, more flexible, and open to businesses that don’t tick every box.

We regularly help clients who:

  • Were turned down by their bank

  • Needed funding within days, not weeks

  • Had gaps in accounts or imperfect credit

  • Wanted smaller or shorter-term loans

  • Didn’t want to give a personal guarantee

And often, they’re surprised how much they can qualify for — and how easy the process is.

The Bottom Line

You shouldn’t have to prove you don’t need money to get approved. That’s not how real business works.

If you’re an Irish business owner trying to grow, stay ahead of costs, or just manage the ups and downs — don’t wait until the paperwork is “perfect.”

Explore your options now (with no obligation):
👉 Check funding availability

We’ll match you with the right lender, explain your options clearly, and help you move fast — without the usual runaround.

Final Thought

Business owners don’t need more hoops to jump through. They need fast answers, flexible funding, and a bit of fairness. That’s what we’re here to offer.

Got a question?
We’re happy to chat — even if you’re just exploring your options. Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55.

Why Irish Businesses Are Delaying Investment – and How You Can Stay Ahead

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.

From Pressure to Potential: How We Helped a Local Meat Wholesaler Regain Control

I took a call recently from a meat wholesaler who had been through a tough spell.

Some of his hospitality clients had closed down, leaving him with bad debts and accounts that were tight on profit. Banks weren’t interested in helping.

But the core business was solid — some funds tied up in stock, more owed by debtors, and new opportunities to buy discounted stock if he could move quickly.

Invoice finance didn’t suit him. He shared past frustrations — not just his own, but also his customers' — with how invoice finance had worked (or hadn’t) in real-world conditions.

We listened.

We organised a flexible repayment loan that works in sync with his cash flow. Open banking helps automate repayment pacing. The loan will be cleared over 12 months, and he has the option to top up once it's halfway paid.

Now he’s back to focusing on quality products — not cash flow stress.

This is exactly why we built BusinessLoans.ie — to back real Irish businesses run by good people, even when the numbers aren’t perfect on paper.

And it’s always great to a 5 star Google review like this come in after a deal closes:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Such an easy process, with Rupert help always at the end of the phone if I had any questions. Would highly recommend using Rupert.”

If your business is in the food, trade, or hospitality supply chain and needs some breathing room, call us on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.