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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- Comparison
Microfinance Ireland vs a non-bank business loan
Microfinance Ireland or a non-bank lender? Compare loan sizes, rates, eligibility and security, with a worked cost example, to see which suits your business.
Last reviewed 21 October 2026
- Guide
Business loan without a personal guarantee: can a company get one?
Can an Irish company get a business loan without a personal guarantee? Which finance types make it more likely, what it costs and how to strengthen your case.
Last reviewed 21 October 2026
- Explainer
How revenue-based finance works: costs, examples and fit
How revenue-based finance works for Irish companies: repayments as a share of sales, fixed-fee pricing, worked e-commerce examples, providers and when it fits.
Last reviewed 21 October 2026
- Guide
Merchant cash advance costs and factor rates explained
Merchant cash advance costs explained for Irish companies: how factor rates work, the share of card sales you repay, worked examples and the true annual cost.
Last reviewed 21 October 2026
- Guide
SEAI business grants, ACA and green loans: funding energy upgrades
SEAI business grants for Irish companies in 2026: the 45% solar PV grant, energy audit vouchers, Accelerated Capital Allowances, SBCI green loans and finance.
Last reviewed 31 October 2026
- Explainer
Late payment interest in Ireland: your rights on business invoices
How late payment interest works on Irish business invoices: the 2012 Regulations, statutory interest, €40 to €100 compensation, payment terms and how to claim.
Last reviewed 22 October 2026
- Guide
Business grants in Ireland 2026: grants and State supports for SMEs
Business grants in Ireland for 2026: LEO grants, Enterprise Ireland, SEAI, Microfinance Ireland, SBCI loans and the R&D tax credit, and how to fund the gap.
Last reviewed 31 October 2026
- Explainer
Personal guarantees for company loans in Ireland: a director's guide
What a personal guarantee on a company loan in Ireland means for directors: limited vs unlimited guarantees, the risks to your assets and how to limit one.
Last reviewed 22 October 2026
- Comparison
Hire purchase vs leasing in Ireland: a guide for companies
Hire purchase vs leasing for Irish companies: ownership, VAT, capital allowances, balloon payments and used assets explained, so you can pick the right fit.
Last reviewed 21 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.