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.

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.