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.

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.