Northern Ireland loan fund hands £2.4m to 57 small businesses
What's the deal? Fifty-seven small and medium-sized businesses in Northern Ireland have secured more than £2.4 million through the Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund IIIDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → since its launch in May 2025, according to new figures from Invest Northern IrelandDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
What's the endgame? Part of Invest NI's suite of financial products, the fund provides flexible loans to help SMEs invest in new products, recruit staff, strengthen cashflow, and scale up.
Who's benefiting? Derry-based Jacksons Catering EquipmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, which supplies commercial catering equipment across Ireland and Britain, secured £50,000 to expand its product range and build stock. In Newry, the Leisure ExpertsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → received a £20,000 loan to support new swimming pool partnerships, covering upfront costs including staffing and equipment.
Managing director Conor Jackson said the funding let Jacksons "respond confidently to customer demand and continue to grow across Ireland."
Why it matters. Kathryn Hill, chief operating officer at Invest NI, framed the fund as a timing tool for smaller firms. "Access to the right finance at the right time can be the difference between standing still and moving forward," she said.
The signal: With UK mortgage approvals at their lowest since late 2023 and private lending tightening, publicly backed loan funds are filling a widening gap for small businesses that struggle to raise flexible finance through traditional channels.
Read more: irishnews.com
Image credit: markhillary
