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.

Surviving the Squeeze: How Irish SMEs Are Adapting to Rising Costs

If you’re running a small business in Ireland right now, you already know what the data confirms: costs are rising fast. According to the SME Business Sentiment Survey (May 2025) from Chartered Accountants Ireland and GRID Finance, 80% of SMEs say their costs have increased in the past six months.

The biggest pressure? Staff costs — cited as the top challenge by 37% of respondents. Add in rising operational expenses, regulatory compliance demands, and inflation-related uncertainty, and it’s clear: running a business in 2025 requires not just resilience, but flexibility.

💡 The New SME Reality: Tight Margins, Tough Choices

Many business owners are taking a hard look at their operating models. But cutting back isn't always the right answer — especially when you're trying to retain talent, meet growing demand, or invest in productivity improvements.

At BusinessLoans.ie, we work with Irish SMEs every day who are navigating these pressures. What we see time and time again is this: the most successful businesses are the ones that secure the right kind of funding — at the right time.

🧰 Smart Funding for Real-World Costs

Whether it's a short-term cash flow boost to cover payroll, or flexible capital to manage rising supplier costs, external finance doesn’t have to mean long-term risk. In fact, the right funding can be the difference between a hard quarter and a strong one.

We help Irish SMEs access:

• Working capital loans to keep cash flowing through seasonal or unpredictable cycles

• Business expansion funds when it’s time to grow, not pause

• Merchant cash advances, equipment finance, and more — with fast, straightforward approvals even if you're outside the traditional banking box

And because we work with multiple lenders, including non-bank options like GRID Finance, we can help you find a solution that fits your needs and your comfort level.

✅ What Next?

If you’re feeling the pressure of rising costs, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to go it alone.

👉 Let us help you finance your next step — simply, securely, and without the red tape.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

Record Venture Funding Shows the Power of Investing — But Debt Financing Can Help You Grow Without Giving Up Control

In the first quarter of 2025, Irish tech companies set a new record — raising a massive €588 million in venture capital funding, according to a new KPMG report.
Deals involving Tines (AI security), Fire1 (medical devices), and XOcean (ocean data services) led the way, each raising around €110-€120 million.

It’s inspiring to see Irish innovation attracting global investment on such a scale. It’s proof that capital fuels growth — helping businesses develop new products, expand into new markets, and hire the best talent.

But venture capital isn't the only way to fund your ambitions.

For most Irish SMEs, debt financing offers a smarter, faster, and more flexible way to secure the capital you need — without giving up equity, control, or decision-making power.

Why Consider Debt Financing?

While venture capital has its place, it often involves giving away a piece of your company in exchange for investment. You’ll usually have to:

• Hand over shares

• Accept board oversight

• Share profits down the line

In contrast, debt financing lets you:

• Borrow the money you need today

• Repay it over time at an agreed rate

• Keep 100% ownership of your business

For many entrepreneurs and business owners, maintaining control over the company they’ve built is invaluable. You decide the strategy. You keep the profits. You steer the future.

Capital is Fuel — Choose the Best Type for Your Journey

Ireland’s record venture funding this quarter shows one key lesson: money is essential for growth.
Whether you’re:

• Expanding your operations

• Hiring new staff

• Investing in new equipment

• Rolling out a major marketing campaign

• Building new technology
  — the right funding can unlock your next level of success.

Debt financing can provide that boost without the strings attached to outside investors.

Tailored Funding for Irish Businesses

At BusinessLoans.ie, we help ambitious Irish SMEs access flexible funding solutions that match their goals.
We can help you secure finance for:

• Working capital

• Stock & inventory purchases

• Equipment upgrades

• Expansion projects

• Green and renewable investments

• Tech adoption initiatives

• And much more

Whether you need €25,000 or €2 million, we work with trusted lenders to get you the best rates and terms — quickly and efficiently.

Build Your Future — On Your Terms

The next generation of Irish business success stories is already being written.
With smart, strategic funding in place, your business could be among them — growing, innovating, and thriving on your own terms.

Ready to power your next move? Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.

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.