VC Funding into Irish SMEs Hits €533m in Q1 — But Smaller Firms Still Left Behind

Venture capital investment into Irish SMEs more than doubled in the first quarter of 2025, reaching a record-breaking €532.8 million, according to the latest Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) Venture Pulse survey, in association with William Fry.

The surge was largely driven by mega-deals over €30 million, including headline-grabbing raises by companies like Let’s Get Checked (€150m), Tines (€115m), and Protex AI (€31.8m). Funding in the €10m–€30m bracket also soared by 184% to €132m.

But for younger and earlier-stage companies, the story was less rosy. Deals under €1 million plummeted by 42%, and the number of small deals across the board fell sharply. In fact, just six deals were closed under the €1 million mark—down from 21 the previous year. Seed funding also slipped 3% year-on-year to €39.3m.

The takeaway? VC funding is flowing, but not everyone is getting a slice.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we’re seeing a growing wave of Irish SMEs that are generating strong revenue but are still in their early profitability journey—too big to be overlooked, too small to attract VC attention. For these businesses, debt-based alternatives like Recurring Revenue Finance and Merchant Cash Advance are increasingly powerful options.

These flexible funding solutions are designed for companies with solid revenue momentum, giving founders the capital they need to scale without giving away equity—or waiting endlessly for a VC meeting.

As international investors now account for 82% of Irish VC funding, local founders must be mindful of how exposed Ireland is to global market sentiment. VC funding can be game-changing—but it’s not the only path to growth.

If your business is starting to scale but struggling to secure equity investment, call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE. We’ll help you explore tailored finance options that align with your revenue and growth stage.

What Irish Startups Really Need: Insights from The Irish Startup Conference 2025

On May 20th, I attended The Irish Startup Conference 2025 — a packed event that brought together over 300 startup founders, CXOs, and investors from across Ireland. The atmosphere was buzzing with optimism, practical advice, and, importantly, real talk about what it takes to grow a business in today’s market.

Founders: Build with Intention

The first panel featured successful Irish entrepreneurs like Karen Clince (Tigers Childcare) and Jac Dunne (Dimply). Their stories hit home for any founder who's ever felt stretched thin. A few of their key takeaways:

• Surround yourself with the right team — especially in areas like finance, strategy, or commercial leadership.

• Ask for help — the Irish business community is more open and generous than many think.

• Don’t fear investment — but do see it as a partnership, not just a transaction.

• Stay aligned with your core values — it helps you choose the right collaborators and stay focused on your long-term vision.

These aren’t just feel-good sentiments. They’re grounded in the hard realities of scaling — and making time to work on the business, not just in it.

Investors: Capital is Out There — But It's Not One-Size-Fits-All

The second panel brought in voices from Enterprise Ireland, Molten Ventures, Endeavor Ireland, Delta Partners, and Sure Valley Ventures. There was no sugar-coating here either:

• Now is a good time to start a business — capital is available, especially for those solving meaningful problems.

• Venture capital isn’t for every business — it’s suited to tech startups with global ambitions and high-return potential.

• Your story matters — clarity, intentionality, and knowing your numbers go further than hype.

• Build long-term relationships — many successful raises come from investors who’ve watched you build over years.

VCs are backing a tiny percentage of the companies they review (Molten Ventures sees 2,000+ deals a year, invests in 12). That doesn’t mean your business isn’t investable — it just means you might need to explore other types of capital.

The BusinessLoans.ie Perspective

This is where BusinessLoans.ie comes in. We help founders and business owners access fast, flexible funding, especially when:

• The business isn’t quite ready for VC — or may never need it

• Traditional banks aren’t an option due to lack of collateral, trading history, or red tape

• Timing is crucial — you need working capital to seize an opportunity, bridge a cash gap, or invest in growth

We work with Irish SMEs every day to provide funding that supports your vision, on your timeline — without the pressure of giving up control or waiting months for a decision.

Whether you’re in e-commerce, services, trades, or tech — if you’ve got a good business and a clear need, we’ll work with you to get it funded.

Final Thoughts

The Irish startup ecosystem is evolving — and the capital landscape is too. Events like this one are a reminder that there’s no one “right” path to growth.

But what’s clear is this: founders need the right support at the right time. Sometimes that comes from a VC, sometimes from a great team — and sometimes from a fast, practical funding partner who understands your reality.

If that sounds like you, we’re here to help. Learn more about how we work at BusinessLoans.ie or get in touch today.

How Seasonal Businesses in Ireland Can Access Smart Finance Solutions

Running a seasonal business in Ireland—like a hotel, B&B, restaurant, or tour company—comes with unique financial challenges. In places like the West of Ireland, a bustling summer season may bring strong cash flow, but the quieter winter months can put serious strain on your finances. Traditional term loans often don’t fit this cycle, but there are flexible options available that align with your business's cash flow—like a Merchant Cash Advance (MCA).

At BusinessLoans.ie, we work with seasonal businesses across Ireland to help them access the right finance, at the right time.

The Seasonal Cash Flow Challenge

Take the example of a small hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way. During the summer, occupancy is high and cash flow is strong. But come October, business slows dramatically, and fixed loan repayments can start to feel like a heavy burden. For lenders, this uneven income can make it harder to approve traditional term loans, especially when cash flow forecasts look weak in the off-season.

Why Merchant Cash Advance Works for Seasonal Businesses

A Merchant Cash Advance is designed for businesses that generate regular card sales, making it a perfect fit for many tourism and hospitality businesses.

Here’s how it works:

• You receive a lump sum upfront (just like a loan).

• Repayment is taken as a fixed percentage of your daily card sales—so on quiet days, you pay back less.

• No fixed monthly repayments, which means no pressure during off-season slumps.

• Quick approvals, often based on past months’ sales data rather than detailed business plans.

Because repayments flex with your revenue, you only pay more when you're earning more. That makes MCA an ideal option for businesses with strong summer peaks and soft winters.

Who It’s For

• Hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses with seasonal bookings.

• Cafés, restaurants, and bars near tourist hotspots.

• Outdoor activity providers (surf schools, boat tours, etc.)

• Retailers in high-footfall summer towns.

If your business earns at least €5,000–€10,000 per month in card sales during your busy period, an MCA could be available to you—even if you’re not currently trading at high volume.

Other Financing Options to Consider

While Merchant Cash Advance is one of the most flexible tools available, we also support seasonal businesses with:

• Working Capital Loans (for marketing, hiring, or repairs before the busy season)

• Short-Term Loans (if you just need a quick top-up to get through the winter)

• Asset Finance (to upgrade rooms, kitchens, or vehicles before reopening)

We’ll help you find the right fit based on your business cycle and repayment ability.

Talk to the Experts in Seasonal Business Finance

At BusinessLoans.ie, we specialise in helping Irish SMEs—seasonal and year-round—access smart, fast, and fair finance.

Whether you're preparing for the next tourist rush or just trying to get through a quiet spell, we can help you smooth out the highs and lows of your business’s cash flow.

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

Unlock Fast Business Funding with Your Card Sales!

If your business accepts card payments, you could be sitting on an untapped source of financing! At BusinessLoans.ie, we offer fast and flexible business loans based on your merchant sales volume—helping you access capital without the hassle of traditional lending.

How Does It Work?

Unlike conventional loans that require fixed monthly repayments, this financing option is tailored to your cash flow. Here’s how it works:

1. Your business takes card payments – Whether you use a card machine, online payment gateway, or POS system, your card transactions generate revenue.

2. We assess your average monthly card sales – Your eligibility is based on the volume of card payments you process.

3. You receive a cash advance – Get approved quickly and receive the funds in days.

4. Repayment is flexible – Instead of fixed monthly payments, a small percentage of your future card sales goes toward repaying the loan. When business is booming, you pay more; during slower periods, you pay less!

Why Choose a Loan Based on Your Card Sales?

✅ Quick Access to Funds – No lengthy approval processes. Receive funds in as little as 24–48 hours.
✅ Cash Flow-Friendly Repayment – Payments adjust to your daily sales, so you’re never overburdened.
✅ No Collateral Required – No need to put up personal or business assets.
✅ High Approval Rates – Even if you’ve struggled with traditional bank loans, this funding is easier to qualify for.
✅ Use the Funds However You Need – Stock up on inventory, expand operations, cover short-term expenses, or invest in growth!

Who Can Apply?

If your business accepts card payments and has a steady stream of transactions, you’re likely eligible! This is an ideal solution for restaurants, retail shops, salons, online businesses, hospitality businesses, and more.

Apply Today!

Don’t let cash flow hold your business back. If you take card payments, you can get funding—fast! Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 and get the working capital you need to grow your business!

Irish Tech Startups Raise Record €1.48 Billion—But What About Smaller Businesses?

The latest IVCA VenturePulse report shows that 2024 was a record-breaking year for Irish tech investment, with €1.48 billion raised. Major deals, like XOcean’s €115 million and Fire1’s €116 million rounds, drove this growth. However, while big-ticket funding surged, smaller deals—especially under €5 million—saw a sharp decline.

For startups and SMEs, this highlights a critical issue: while venture capital (VC) remains strong for high-growth companies, many businesses seeking smaller funding rounds are struggling to secure investment.

The Growing Funding Gap for Smaller Businesses

The IVCA report found that:

• Deals between €3 million and €5 million dropped 37% year-over-year.

• Deals in the €1 million to €3 million range declined 24%.

• Seed funding fell 4% over the year and 55% in Q4 alone.

This means that early-stage and growth-phase companies—especially those outside of deep tech or biotech—are facing increasing difficulties in accessing funding.

What This Means for Irish SMEs and Startups

While government initiatives, like the €250 million Seed & Venture Capital scheme, will provide some support, many businesses can’t afford to wait for public funding. This is where alternative financing solutions come into play.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we help Irish businesses access the capital they need—whether through business loans, asset financing, or alternative lenders. Unlike venture capital, which often requires giving up equity, our financing solutions allow businesses to grow while maintaining full ownership.

Need Funding? Here’s How We Can Help

• Flexible Business Loans: We work with a network of lenders to secure funding tailored to your needs.

• Faster Approvals: Unlike traditional bank loans or VC rounds, our financing solutions can be approved in days, not months.

• No Equity Dilution: Keep full control of your business while securing the funding you need to grow.

Get the Capital Your Business Needs

If you’re an Irish business struggling to secure funding, now is the time to explore alternative finance solutions. Call the BusinessLoans.ie team today on 01 55 636 55 to discuss your options and take the next step in your growth journey. Or APPLY HERE.

Some recent business loan quotes for Irish businesses

Some BusinessLoans.ie quotes this week. €180,000 working capital loan for a pharmacy chain, merchant cash advance; €500,000 working capital loan for an unlimited company, term loan 3 years; Flexible invoice finance for startup environmental consultancy, ongoing arrangement.

Does your business need finance? Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 for fast finance quotes or email hello@businessloans.ie.

Recent deal: A solar business gets a €35,000 merchant cash advance

BusinessLoans.ie is celebrating another successful deal. It was for a solar business involved in sales and installations in the residential market. Recently they were busier because the energy crisis led to increased demand for green energy solutions. As a result of this, they needed financing to get the best deal on bulk buying stock as well as increased payroll obligations to meet with their new installations team member.

The BusinessLoans.ie team got their quote turned around in 24 hours with a merchant cash advance. The finance facility was based on the significant turnover they had via their online and card machine sales. They now have a flexible repayment that fits with their cash flow cycle and are happy. Does your business want a fast finance quote? Call us on 01 55 636 55 or email hello@businessloans.ie.

Recent deal: €100,000 merchant cash advance for furniture retailer

BusinessLoans.ie is celebrating helping another client. It was for a long-established family business retailing furniture. Lately they had been getting some big orders to assist with Ukrainian refugee accommodation fit-outs. A stocking loan requirement of €100,000 was identified but getting a simple bank loan was proving too challenging due to slight losses on accounts from the previous year. We identified a finance quote opportunity from the significant turnover from all their online and in-store card machine sales. They were funded in days and were happy with a flexible repayment that fits with their cash flow cycle.

Does your business need finance? Call the BusinessLoans.ie team for fast finance quotes on 01 55 636 55 or email hello@businessloans.ie.

Recent deal: A pizza franchisee & a slice of working capital

BusinessLoans.ie is celebrating another successful deal. It was a pizza chain franchisee that wasn’t trading so long. They didn’t have a set of accounts filed with the Companies Registration Office yet and this ruled out most debt financing options. Their bank was unable to help.

BusinessLoans.ie identified a fast finance quote based on their significant card machine turnover. Our lending partner provided a merchant cash advance of €25,000 with a flexible repayment that fits with their cash flow cycle. The client got their working capital and they were happy. Does your business need a fast finance quote? Email us at hello@businessloans.ie or call 01 55 636 55.

Recent deal: Loan success with imperfect accounts

BusinessLoans.ie helped a long-established eCommerce business who required working capital to get past a rough patch. It left their accounts showing a loss and they were finding it difficult to get support from their bank. When we reviewed the information an angle was identified because they had healthy turnover on their merchant account and they were coming in to a busier time of year. A specialist merchant cash advance lender was able to quickly give indicative figures for their desired amount and within days the funds were in their account. The client was happy and they have comfort that the lender indicated they would be willing to support them again as cash flow improves in the coming months.

Does your business need working capital, funds to expand, renovations or for anything else? Call the BusinessLoans.ie team today on 01 55 636 55 or email at hello@businessloans.ie.