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Start-ups & new businesses · Ireland
Start-up business
loans in Ireland.
Not trading yet, or only just started? A bank or Microfinance Ireland is a better starting point, alongside supports from the National Enterprise Hub. The earliest cash-finance options we can help with start at 90 days trading—not before. More options may open up as your business builds a track record. We arrange business finance, not personal loans.
Before trading or in the first 90 days
Start with support designed for businesses at the beginning of their journey.
- Speak to a bank or Microfinance Ireland about start-up funding
- Check the National Enterprise Hub for relevant business supports
- We do not arrange pre-trading cash loans
- Prepare a realistic cash-flow forecast and work out what you need to fund
Cash finance from 90 days
For businesses already trading and generating revenue—not an idea or a forecast alone.
- Merchant cash advance from 90 days trading
- Requires monthly card takings of €5,000 or more
- Collections are an agreed share of eligible card sales; check the total cost and any minimum-payment conditions
- Some higher-risk revenue-based finance options can be considered from 90 days trading
- Revenue-based options at this stage are more expensive; compare affordability and the full repayment commitment
- Meeting the trading threshold does not guarantee a quote or approval
Term loans after a year's accounts
Twelve months since opening is not enough on its own: the accounts need to be completed.
- At least 12 months trading and 1 full year's completed accounts
- Latest accounts showing at least €100,000 turnover
- A net profit in the latest accounts
- No recent missed payments on business bank statements
- The lender also checks affordability and existing commitments
- Can support working capital, stock, marketing, expansion or business assets
Equipment & invoice finance as you grow
Other routes may become suitable as your business, purchases and customer invoices develop.
- Asset finance may suit eligible equipment, machinery or business vehicles
- The equipment, supplier, trading history and affordability all matter
- Invoice finance may help when you invoice business customers and wait for payment
- The lender assesses the invoices, customer quality and payment terms
- There is no single start-up trading threshold that applies to every asset or invoice lender
BusinessLoans.ie is a broker, not a direct lender. Unsecured term loans are not registered against property or business assets, but some lenders require personal guarantees. All lending is subject to assessment.
Where to start if it's too early for us
For pre-trading and very early-stage businesses, speak to your bank or explore Microfinance Ireland. The National Enterprise Hub can help you find relevant supports. Check directly with each organisation; support or funding is not automatic.
Once you have a trading history, compare our merchant cash advance and term and flexible repayment loan options. The key distinction is that early revenue-based funding is not the same as a term loan supported by a full year's profitable accounts.
For a specific purchase or customer-payment gap, see asset finance and invoice finance. Borrow for a clear business need and make sure the repayments leave room for everyday bills.
Taking card payments? Compare eligibility, repayments and costs on our merchant cash advance page.
Guides for your industry
3 November 2026
Is a Merchant Cash Advance Right for Your Irish Business?
How merchant cash advances work in Ireland: card-sales repayments, costs, eligibility from 90 days trading and the alternatives to compare before applying.
Read guide →
27 October 2026
How to Prepare a Cash Flow Forecast for Your Small Business
A step-by-step guide to building a 12-month cash flow forecast for your small business in Ireland, with a worked example, a simple template layout and tips for keeping a rolling forecast up to date.
Read guide →
16 October 2026
How to Secure Equipment Finance in Ireland: A Guide
Table of Contents How to Secure Equipment Finance in Ireland: Step-by-Step What You'll Need Before You Apply Types of Equipment Finance Available Equipment Finance Application Requirements Documents Lenders Typically Ask
Read guide →
2 November 2026
Invoice Finance Ireland for Growing SMEs
Release cash tied up in unpaid B2B invoices. Understand factoring, invoice discounting, lender fees and the documents Irish SMEs need.
Read guide →
Common questions
Can you arrange a loan before I start trading?
No—we do not arrange pre-trading cash loans. Try a bank or Microfinance Ireland, and check the National Enterprise Hub for supports suited to your plans. These are separate organisations, and their own eligibility rules apply.
What is the earliest cash-finance option you can help with?
From 90 days trading, a merchant cash advance may be considered if monthly card takings are at least €5,000. Some more expensive, higher-risk revenue-based finance options also start from 90 days. The lender still needs to be satisfied with trading and affordability.
I've been trading for a year. Can I get a term loan?
You need at least one full year's completed accounts—not just 12 months since registration or opening. Those accounts need at least €100,000 turnover and a net profit, with no recent missed payments on business bank statements. Meeting these criteria is a starting point, not a guarantee of approval.
Can equipment or unpaid invoices help me access finance?
Possibly. Asset finance is tied to suitable equipment or vehicles, while invoice finance depends on eligible business-to-business invoices and the customers paying them. As your business develops, these can be worth reviewing, but neither is a blanket promise of funding for a new business.
What should I have ready?
Start with recent business bank statements, the amount needed and its purpose. Include card-processing statements for a merchant cash advance, completed accounts for a term loan, a supplier quote for equipment, or an aged debtor list and invoice details for invoice finance. We will confirm the documents for the appropriate option.
Do you charge a broker fee?
No. We do not charge clients a fee; lenders pay us a commission when funding completes. Lender interest, charges and other costs are separate, so compare the full offer before accepting.
Free to you. Lenders pay us a commission when your loan completes. How we get paid