Business finance guides for Irish companies
Plain-language guides to business loans, cash flow finance, asset finance, grants and State supports, written for Irish limited companies. Each guide lists its official sources and the date it was last reviewed.
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- Guide
Grants for food, farming and seafood companies in Ireland
BIM seafood schemes, Bord Bia programmes and Department of Agriculture grants such as TAMS 3: what each pays, who qualifies and how to apply.
Last reviewed 31 October 2026
- Guide
Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland grants: a guide for Irish companies
The Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Disruptive Technologies supports for innovation, digital, lean and climate projects: what each pays, who qualifies and how to apply.
Last reviewed 31 October 2026
- Guide
Business finance for women in Ireland
Business finance for women in Ireland: Enterprise Ireland and LEO supports for women founders, ACORNS, Microfinance Ireland and your rights when you borrow.
Last reviewed 23 October 2026
- Guide
Finance for farm companies in Ireland
Finance for farm companies in Ireland: how lenders read farm accounts, working capital, inputs, machinery, SBCI loans and TAMS bridging, with honest limits.
Last reviewed 23 October 2026
- Comparison
Finance lease vs operating lease in Ireland: tax, VAT and accounts
Finance lease vs operating lease for Irish limited companies: who carries the risk, capital allowances, VAT on rentals, FRS 102 from 2026 and lease-end options.
Last reviewed 22 October 2026
- Comparison
Revenue-based finance vs merchant cash advance: key differences
Revenue-based finance vs merchant cash advance for Irish limited companies: which sales each repays from, costs, data links, an example and when neither fits.
Last reviewed 22 October 2026
- Comparison
Merchant cash advance vs business loan: cost, speed and cash flow
Merchant cash advance vs business loan for Irish limited companies: how each is repaid and priced, a worked €50,000 cost comparison and when each one fits.
Last reviewed 22 October 2026
- Comparison
Secured vs unsecured business loans in Ireland: how to choose
Secured vs unsecured business loans for Irish limited companies: charges, debentures, personal guarantees, cost and term differences, and which one suits you.
Last reviewed 22 October 2026
- Guide
Business loans with poor credit history in Ireland
Business loans with poor credit in Ireland: what lenders see on the CCR, which options may still suit Irish limited companies and how to rebuild your record.
Last reviewed 22 October 2026
Questions about our guides
What do your guides cover?
Practical, Ireland-specific guides for directors of limited companies: SBCI schemes, business loan documents, bank refusals and the Credit Review Service, invoice finance, Revenue tax debt, hire purchase and leasing, personal guarantees, grants and state supports, late payment interest and funding energy upgrades. Each sets out how it works, costs, risks and alternatives.
Where does the information in your guides come from?
From primary Irish sources such as Revenue, the Central Bank of Ireland, the SBCI, SEAI, the CRO, the CSO and government departments, plus lenders’ own published information. Every guide lists its sources with the date they were checked, and shows when it was last reviewed.
Are the guides financial advice?
No. Our guides are general information, not financial, tax or legal advice, and they do not take account of your company’s circumstances. Use them to understand your options and prepare questions, then speak to your accountant or solicitor before making decisions.
Do your guides only cover products you can arrange?
No. We also explain products we do not arrange, such as SBCI loans, as fairly as those we can, and say where to apply for them.
How often are the guides updated?
We review guides when rules, rates or schemes change, such as a Budget or a new SBCI scheme, and at least every 6 months. The review date is shown at the top of each guide, and figures that change often are dated.
Who writes the guides?
The Welcome Finance editorial team researches and writes every guide, following our editorial policy. Lenders do not pay for, write or approve our content. If you spot an error, email support@welcomefinance.ie and we will check it against the source and update the guide.