Martin Ryan’s Post

From start-up to scale-up, every stage of business needs a different kind of support. Enterprise Ireland has strengthened its role in helping early-stage founders through initiatives like the Pre-Seed Start Fund and New Frontiers programme. Both offer structure, mentoring, and early capital so entrepreneurs can turn ideas into investor-ready plans. But for many Irish businesses, the next challenge begins once the first set of accounts is filed. When a company can show a year of trading and a net profit, new funding options open up. That’s often when lower-cost finance becomes accessible and growth can really take shape. The key is to plan your funding steps early — understand what public supports are available, build a strong trading record, and be ready when private finance starts to fit. Read our latest post: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eeWa4Ts3 #IrishBusiness #StartUpIreland #EnterpriseIreland #SMEFinance #BusinessLoans #FundingIreland #ScaleUpIreland #IrishEntrepreneurs

You know what most founders get wrong? They wait too long to look for funding. In Australia, even if you’re just testing an idea or building a prototype, there’s support out there. Grants, R&D tax credits—real money that helps you move faster before you even launch. #StartupFunding #Founders #Innovation #GrantonAustralia

In case you missed it! The latest #Budget2026 brings strong news for local enterprise, with major investment to help Ireland’s small businesses grow, innovate, and compete globally. Key wins for Local Enterprise Offices and SMEs include: - Enhanced funding for Local Enterprise Offices – supporting more training, mentoring and grant schemes for small business growth, digitalisation, and climate readiness. - €1.3 billion for Enterprise and Tourism Development, including €800 million in 2026 capital spend – ensuring continued investment in innovation, start-ups, and regional enterprise supports. - €120 million for Scaling, Start-Up Ireland and Regional Funding – backing new and growing Irish businesses across every county. - Investment in AI, sustainability, and digital transformation – with the new AI Office of Ireland and expanded funding for technology adoption through LEOs. - Pro-enterprise tax measures – including increased R&D tax credits (35%), enhanced entrepreneur relief (up to €1.5m lifetime limit), and VAT cuts for hospitality and personal services. Minister Peter Burke reaffirmed that “where businesses thrive, jobs follow” — and these measures will help small businesses remain competitive, sustainable, and resilient. For local Laois enterprises, this Budget means more local supports, more innovation funding, and more opportunities to scale and succeed. Learn more about what we can do at localenterprise.ie #MakingItHappen #LocalEnterprise #Budget2026 #LaoisBusiness #LaoisBusiness #IrishSMEs #Entrepreneurship #DigitalIreland #AIforBusiness

In case you missed it - A quick roundup of #Budget2026 impact on Local enterprise! Budget 2026: Driving Enterprise, Defending Employment The latest Budget brings strong news for local enterprise, with major investment to help Ireland’s small businesses grow, innovate, and compete globally. Key wins for Local Enterprise Offices and SMEs include: - Enhanced funding for Local Enterprise Offices – supporting more training, mentoring and grant schemes for small business growth, digitalisation, and climate readiness. - €1.3 billion for Enterprise and Tourism Development, including €800 million in 2026 capital spend – ensuring continued investment in innovation, start-ups, and regional enterprise supports. - €120 million for Scaling, Start-Up Ireland and Regional Funding – backing new and growing Irish businesses across every county. - Investment in AI, sustainability, and digital transformation – with the new AI Office of Ireland and expanded funding for technology adoption through LEOs. - Pro-enterprise tax measures – including increased R&D tax credits (35%), enhanced entrepreneur relief (up to €1.5m lifetime limit), and VAT cuts for hospitality and personal services. Minister Peter Burke reaffirmed that “where businesses thrive, jobs follow” — and these measures will help small businesses remain competitive, sustainable, and resilient. For Offaly enterprises, this Budget means more local supports, more innovation funding, and more opportunities to scale and succeed. Learn more about what we can do at localenterprise.ie #MakingItHappen #LocalEnterprise #Budget2026 #OffalyBusiness #LaoisBusiness #IrishSMEs #Entrepreneurship #DigitalIreland #AIforBusiness

Setting Up a Company in Ireland? Do It Right from Day One Filing Form A1 is the easy part. The hard part? Avoiding mistakes that cost €5,000+ down the road. Here’s what most founders get wrong: ❌ Using generic Articles of Association ❌ 50/50 ownership splits that cause deadlock ❌ No founder vesting schedules ❌ Ignoring Beneficial Ownership filing deadlines The fix?  ✅ Get professional advice before you incorporate  ✅ Set up the right share structure  ✅ Protect your brand, name, and IP  ✅ Build a tax-efficient foundation for growth Get it right now, and you’ll thank yourself later.  👉 Read our full Company Formation Guide: https://lnkd.in/d4QdxB9K #AroundFinance #CompanyFormationIreland #IrishStartups #BusinessInIreland #SMEAdvice #TaxPlanningIreland

How Funding Managing Authorities Evaluate Business Plans (and What Most Founders Overlook) Most funding applications don’t fail because of bad ideas — they fail because of weak business plans. As experts in funding advisory, we’ve supported numerous applications under Malta Enterprise and EU programs — and we’ve seen clear patterns in what evaluators prioritize. Here’s what truly matters (and what most founders miss): 1️⃣ Clarity of Purpose Funding bodies need to understand why your project exists and the measurable impact it will create — economically, socially, or environmentally. A vague “growth” statement isn’t enough. Define outcomes in clear, data-backed terms. 2️⃣ Financial Realism Over-optimistic projections or inconsistent cost breakdowns raise instant red flags. Evaluators value credible assumptions — they want to see how funds translate into sustainable results, not just expansion. 3️⃣ Implementation Capacity Your team’s capability, governance structure, and internal processes weigh as much as your idea itself. A strong execution plan shows you can deliver, not just apply. 4️⃣ Alignment with National Priorities Every funding program supports a strategic policy — innovation, digitalisation, sustainability, or job creation. Founders often overlook this. The best plans mirror national objectives within their own business goals. 💡 Takeaway: The best business plans read like blueprints for measurable outcomes — not wish lists. If you’re preparing to apply for Malta Enterprise or EU-managed funding, it’s worth having your business plan reviewed by experts who understand both the evaluation process and the funding criteria. 📩 Reach out to us to schedule a Funding Readiness Consultation — we’ll help ensure your plan meets what evaluators expect. #MaltaEnterprise #EUFunding #BusinessPlanning #FundingAdvisory #StartupExpansion #EUSupport #ScaleUpEurope #MaltaStartups

🤔 What is going on with UK SME funding? There are more products and providers than ever before, which should make life easier for business leaders raising capital But SMEs are overwhelmed by the sheer range of options available. Many don’t even realise what’s open to them, resulting in missed opportunities for investment and lost chances to accelerate growth. This is what we call the funding gap — the growing disconnect between the capital businesses need and the capital they can realistically access. And who is most impacted by the funding gap? 🔹 Scaling SMEs in the “missing middle” 🔹 Founder-led businesses 🔹 Businesses without security 🔹 Businesses led by underrepresented founders These businesses don’t just need capital — they need clarity, the right connections, and confidence that they are doing the right thing for their growth Chris Mears shares more information on this, and how we can address the funding gap, in our latest article ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eBAA_hNk

Start-ups are thriving in the European Union, yet experts highlight that bureaucracy hinders their ability to expand across borders. In contrast, U.S. start-ups enjoy certain advantages, particularly in their ability to raise capital. Entering foreign markets presents its own set of complexities. For further insights, you can read more in the article linked here: https://lnkd.in/ekPQpQm3

Studies on real cases show that strict exit tax regimes slow down startup formation and foreign VC inflows. Limit mobility, and you limit growth. The best innovation policies make founders want to stay, not force them to.

💸 NO EXIT TAX Today, over 150 founders and investors, representing £10B+ in UK economic value, have signed Startup Coalition's Open Letter to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, urging the government to rule out a proposed “Exit Tax” on founders leaving the UK. 👉 Read & sign here: www.no-exit-tax.co.uk Why? Because the UK’s startup success has been built on openness and competitiveness, and attracting world-class founders who’ve created jobs, paid taxes, and built global companies here. An exit tax would send the opposite message: 🚫 That founders aren’t welcome 🚫 That they should leave early or not build here at all It would risk damaging the UK’s reputation as a global innovation hub, where nearly 40% of unicorns were founded by international entrepreneurs. Instead of punishing founders who leave, let’s back those who build and continue making the UK the best place in the world to start, scale, and stay. You can also read a write-up in The Times this morning 👇