Guiding Your Business to the Right Funding

What We Do

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Funding Readiness Review

Assessing your business’s eligibility and readiness for funding opportunities

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Grant Application Support

Navigating the complexity of grant applications to maximise your success

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Loan Application Advisory

Guiding you through the loan application process to help secure your funding needs

About Us

At NextStep Business Solutions, we help Irish SMEs access business grants, secure funding, and apply for small business loans with expert, independent guidance. Whether you're starting up, expanding, or stabilizing your business, our goal is to make funding simple, clear, and achievable.

Founded by Robert Meehan, a former senior banking advisor with over 20 years of experience at Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, and PTSB, NextStep specializes in grant application support, business loan strategy, and SME funding readiness.

Navigating government grants, business loans, and enterprise supports in Ireland can be overwhelming. That’s why we provide one-to-one advisory services focused on:

  • Identifying the right funding opportunities

  • Preparing a strong funding application

  • Supporting you through lender or agency engagement

We don’t lend money or sell financial products. Instead, we act solely in your best interest—giving your business the confidence and clarity to secure the funding it deserves.

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Our Process

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Take the first step by reaching out to us via phone or email. We start every relationship with a simple, no-pressure conversation — to understand your business and ensure we’re the right fit. Trust is at the heart of what we do.

1. Get in Touch

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2. Understanding Your Business

We gather key details about your business — from your current financials to your funding goals. We’ll also discuss your past experiences with grants or loans to get a full picture of where things stand.

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3. Identifying Needs & Opportunities

Together, we’ll clarify your funding needs and explore what support might be available to you. Whether it’s a grant, loan, or support scheme, we assess what options make sense based on your goals.

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4. Presenting Your Funding Plan

We’ll provide tailored recommendations and a clear funding strategy — explaining the why behind each step. You’ll receive honest, practical advice that helps you make informed decisions with confidence.

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5. Moving Forward

If you’re happy to proceed, we help you put the plan into action. This could involve preparing a grant application, drafting financial projections, or working with you on a business plan for lenders.

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6. Follow-Up & Support

We don’t just walk away. We check in with you regularly. Our aim is to stay involved and support you over the long term — not just for a one-off project. This could involve preparing a grant application, drafting financial projections, or working with you on a business plan for lenders.

 FAQs

  • We help small businesses apply for funding. That includes grants, loans, and other supports. We guide you through the process, make sure your paperwork is right, and help you feel confident applying.

  • Mostly small businesses and sole traders. Whether you're just getting started or planning to grow, we work with businesses who need help applying for funding or getting their plans in order.

  • Grants, loans, and business support schemes. This includes things like LEO, Enterprise Ireland and SEAI grants, Microfinance Ireland loans, and bank loans. We can help figure out what you’re eligible for.

  • Yes. We can write a full business plan from scratch, or help you improve what you already have — especially if you're using it to apply for funding.

  • That’s what we help you figure out. We do a funding readiness review to see if your business is in a good place to apply — and if not, we’ll guide you on what to fix.

  • It depends on the service. We’ll give you a clear quote after an initial chat, with no pressure to go ahead. Some services are once-off; others may involve a few sessions.

  • Sometimes, yes. If it helps, we can liaise with funders on your behalf. But we always keep you informed and involved — it’s your business and your decision.

  • Yes. We’ll look at your previous application, explain why it might have been rejected, and help you prepare a stronger case to reapply — if that’s the right step.

  • No — we’re not a lender. We don’t lend money ourselves. Instead, we help you apply for funding from banks, Microfinance Ireland, LEO, or Enterprise Ireland.

  • Just get in touch. A quick phone call or email is all it takes to get started. We’ll talk about your business, what you’re hoping to do, and how we can help.

Barry, TruScan Ltd.

“We worked with NextStep Business Solutions in early 2025 to apply for a LEO grant, and the support we received was second to none. From the very first conversation, they understood our business needs and helped us put together a strong, clear application. Their attention to detail and knowledge of the funding process made all the difference. Thanks to their guidance, we secured the grant in April — and we’re now able to move forward with our growth plans with real confidence.”

David, Dakido Ltd

“Robert took the stress out of securing funding. His one-on-one support and clear advice made all the difference.”