For many Irish SMEs, making it past the first few months and years is a huge achievement. And as you settle into life as a business owner, your ambitions might shift from survival to scale. You might start thinking about expanding operations, taking on more staff or competing for bigger contracts.    

But after finally reaching steady turnover, the next move can feel more like a big leap. Scaling, however, doesn’t have to be a solo journey. There are practical training programmes and financial support available to turn those leaps into manageable steps.  

Expansion looks different for every SME. If your business depends on winning contracts, growth may come from going after larger tenders. Securing even one bigger contract can provide the stability to take your business to the next level. 

The Go-2-Tender programme is designed to give SMEs the confidence and skills to compete in the tendering process. It provides step-by-step guidance on how public and private tenders work, practical tools for preparing strong submissions, and insights into what buyers are really looking for. 

Growth can stagnate when leaders focus too much on day-to-day operations rather than long-term strategy. Scaling requires a deliberate shift. Leaders need to delegate, build strong teams and set a clear vision for the next stage of growth. As leadership expert Ronald Heifetz says in his book, Leadership Without Easy Answers it’s about “getting off the dance floor and onto the balcony”.  

Leadership for Growth is a tailored training programme for founders and senior managers. The 11-month programme helps you step back from operations, refine your strategy and develop the leadership skills needed to inspire and manage expansion. Covering decision-making, people management and strategic planning, the programme builds your capacity to lead growth, not just manage survival. 

Scaling also requires capital, whether it’s for new equipment, bigger premises, hiring staff or developing export markets. The right financial support can make the difference between cautious growth and confident expansion. Here are three worth considering: 

• Business Expansion Grant: Available through your Local Enterprise Office, the Business Expansion Grant provides up to €150,000 in funding to cover 50% of eligible costs. It supports a wide range of growth-related expenses like capital items, training, marketing, salary costs, and general overheads.  

• Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme: If you’re planning to invest in tech upgrades, introduce energy-saving measures, or expand into new markets, the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme from SBCI could be the right fit. It offers long-term, low-cost loans ranging from €25,000 to €3 million, with unsecured options available up to €500,000, making it easier to finance growth projects with confidence. 

•  Expansion Loan: Another low-cost loan option is Microfinance Ireland’s Expansion Loan for businesses with up to 10 employees. With a 6.5% APR (5.5% if you apply through your Local Enterprise Office) you can get up to €50,000 to fund your growth plans.  

Expansion means different things to different companies. For some, it’s about winning contracts. For others, it’s building team skills or securing the right finance. If you’re not sure about your next step, get in touch. Our team can guide you towards the right training or financial support.