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Supported by the Irish government, Microfinance Ireland assists businesses struggling to secure a business loan from a traditional lender. Whether you are starting a new business, expanding your business or just happen to be in a tight spot with your business, we are here to help. We help businesses by providing unsecured business loans of €2,000 to €50,000 for commercially viable proposals. Sole Traders, Partnerships & Limited Companies are all eligible to apply.

Who we are?

At Microfinance Ireland, we provide unsecured business loans up to €50,000 to both Start-ups and Established businesses that are having difficulty in getting access to funding. 

We have a few different loan packages: 

  • Start-up loan
  • Cashflow loan
  • Expansion Loan
  • Small loan

 

Who we service?

Microfinance Ireland lends to small businesses based in the Republic of Ireland with fewer than 10 full time employees and annual turnover must be less than €2m (micro-enterprises). There must be at least 1 full-time position in the business either for you or for somebody else. The job must be located in the Republic of Ireland (26 counties)

What we do?

We provide small loans through the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund. The purpose of the fund is to help Start-ups and Established Businesses to get the finance they need for their business. 

  • What is a Microenterprise? 
    It is simply a small business (including a self-employed person) with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than €2 million. We help these businesses by providing unsecured business loans of €2,000 to €50,000 for commercially viable proposals. 

  • Struggling to secure finance? 

    We can consider applications from businesses that may have been declined a loan from their Bank. We look at each application and base our decision on the viability of the business and your ability to repay the loan.

At a glance

Focus

As advocates for small businesses, we are supported by the Irish government and provide small business loans to both start up and established businesses. We work with all types of industries and were established to help businesses that find it hard to secure regular finance.dfdfsd

Sectors

We lend to businesses in Hospitality, Food & Drink, Manufacturing, Construction, Retail and Services to name but a few. Under EIF Guarantee(s), there are a number of restricted sectors and/or business activities that MFI cannot support. To see the full list of restricted sectors please visit our exclusions page.

Network

• The business must be located in and registered in the Republic of Ireland and at least 1 full time job must be created/sustained in the Republic of Ireland.  

• The Applicant must also reside in their private residence on the island of Ireland 

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GreenStart

Start your sustainability journey

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This is an entry-level sustainability grant. It helps you to introduce ways to be more sustainable in your day-to-day operations. It aims to improve your operational performance through better efficiency so you can lower your costs and be more competitive.

Businesses looking to make the first step to introduce sustainability awareness and practices.

You may be eligible if: 

  • You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
  • You are a potential EI client operating a small to medium business 
  • Your project complies with relevant EU and national environmental legislation

Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.

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Grants & Funding

Energy Monitoring and Tracking Systems

Track energy use and reduce your carbon footprint

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This fund supports your business in putting the systems in place to lower your energy bills and improve energy efficiency. It helps businesses see how much energy they are using and understand where they can cut back and become more sustainable.

You may be eligible if: 

  • You are an Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland or Údarás na Gaeltachta client 
  • You employ at least 10 full-time people 
  • You have been in business for at least 5 years

Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.

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Grants & Funding

Spotlight On Skills

Identify and address critical skills needed for growth

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The Spotlight on Skills programme is a collaboration between Enterprise Ireland, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Irish Management Institute (IMI). The programme has been developed to help businesses create a company skills plan.The initiative is run online and will support your company to identify and address critical skills needs, to build capability and achieve strategic growth. As part of the process your company has a focused engagement with their local Regional Skills Manager to get a response from the Educational and Training Providers in your region to address your critical skills needs.

You may be eligible if: 

Participants should include two team members of your companys senior executive team who are:  

  • Familiar with your business strategy for the next 1-5 years. 
  • Understand the entire business operation.   


Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.

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Training & Programmes

Masterclass in Market Intelligence

Get market research training for business growth and informed decision-making

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The course provides participants with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to conduct market research, identify potential opportunities and threats, and make informed decisions about product development, pricing, and marketing.

You may be eligible if:

  • You are a senior leader at director level in a business
  • Businesses that want to gain insights on competitors and markets.
     
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Training & Programmes

Access Advice : Digital Discovery

Develop a digital plan and introduce new technologies

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To be competitive in today’s market, businesses need to understand what digital technology can offer. This grant incentivises and supports companies to introduce new digital technologies and solutions into their operations. Leading to greater efficiency, improved customer experiences, better decision-making, and an enhanced ability to bring better and more diverse products to market

Companies looking to introduce new digital technologies to their business to boost efficiency, improve services and create a better customer experience.

You may be eligible if: 

  • You are an Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
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Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.

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Collaborating with you is essential for creating a dynamic future for businesses in Ireland.

“

Sarah

Innovate Solutions Project Manager
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