Let’s Talk Loans: Navigating the Realities of SME Funding

DATE: 30/09/2025

TIME: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

VENUE: Shannon Chamber, Shannon Airport House, Shannon Free Zone, Shannon, Co Clare, V14 E370

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In a fast-moving economy, access to the right funding at the right time is often what separates a business that grows from one that stalls. Yet for many SMEs, the world of finance can feel unnecessarily complicated — from navigating bank requirements to knowing whether grants, Microfinance, credit unions, or private lenders are the right fit.

Join us for this practical and engaging session hosted by Shannon Chamber and led by Robert Meehan of NextStep Business Solutions — a funding advisory firm dedicated to supporting SMEs in getting finance-ready and securing the capital they need to grow.
This event will unpack the real funding landscape for SMEs today, spotlight the loan products that Irish businesses are actually using, and show how a funding partner like NextStep can save you time, reduce stress, and improve outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

·         The loan options actually being drawn down by Irish SMEs today

·         Common mistakes SMEs make when approaching banks and lenders

·         How to get ‘finance-ready’ and strengthen your application

·         Where grant funding fits into the overall funding mix

·         What banks, MFI, credit unions, and private lenders are looking for

·         How NextStep can act as your outsourced funding team — from prep to approval

About NextStep

At NextStep Business Solutions, we help Irish SMEs access the right funding to grow, invest, and succeed. Founded by Robert Meehan, a former senior banker with over 20 years’ experience across Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, and PTSB, NextStep combines deep credit knowledge with real-world business insight.

We work with ambitious business owners who want to move forward but face uncertainty around funding options or lender expectations. Our clients include startups, growth-stage businesses, and established SMEs across all sectors—from retail and hospitality to trades, services, and manufacturing.

How we help:

  • Funding Readiness Reviews– We assess your business from a lender’s perspective and identify what’s needed to strengthen your funding case.
  • Loan Application Advisory– From financial projections to direct lender engagement, we manage the process end to end.
  • Grant Application Support– We help businesses access grants from LEOs, Enterprise Ireland, SEAI and others, often blending them with loan funding.
  • Strategic Finance Advice– For commercial property finance, acquisitions, or refinancing, we support smart, well-structured funding decisions.

We partner with SME owners as their go-to funding advisor, giving them back their most valuable asset—time. By managing the funding process from start to finish, we allow business owners to focus on what they do best: running and growing their business.
Presenters

  • Robert Meehan

    Owner/Principal Advisor of NextStep Business Solutions

    Robert Meehan is an experienced financial services professional with over 20 years in the Irish banking sector, having held senior roles in Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, and PTSB. He has led key initiatives in SME credit policy, product development, and commercial lending, and has a strong track record of supporting businesses across a wide range of sectors. Robert is the founder of NextStep Business Solutions, where he advises SMEs on securing the right funding—whether through bank finance, Microfinance Ireland, government-backed schemes, or grant support. His approach is hands-on, practical, and focused on making businesses finance-ready. He holds qualifications in Project Management, SME Credit, and Agricultural Finance, and combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of real-world business needs.

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