About SME Equity
Experienced, commercially grounded support for Irish SME transactions
SME Equity combines transaction discipline, investor awareness, and a practical understanding of what business owners need from a capital partner.
Our Approach
What SME Equity believes
Equity investment is one of the most significant decisions an Irish business owner will make. It deserves clear, commercially grounded advice, not a sales process, and not generic guidance that ignores the realities of the Irish SME market.
SME Equity was founded on the belief that Irish SMEs deserve access to the same quality of transaction support that larger businesses take for granted. The focus is on helping owners navigate equity decisions clearly, commercially, and with confidence.
The firm works directly with SME owners and alongside their trusted professional advisors, accountants, solicitors, and corporate finance professionals, to ensure that every engagement adds genuine value and respects the existing advisory relationships.
"The focus is on helping Irish SMEs and their advisors navigate equity decisions clearly, commercially, and with confidence."
The Team
Founder introduction
SME Equity was founded by Johnny Dunne, who has direct experience in Irish corporate financial advisory, transaction support, and investment analysis. His background spans corporate financial advisory work, investment analysis and due diligence, private equity exposure, and hands on capital markets experience.
The firm's approach is shaped by a strong commercial grounding and a practical communication style, the ability to explain complex investment matters clearly to business owners who are navigating an equity process for the first time.
Rather than listing credentials, the focus is on what that experience means in practice: sound judgment on deal structure and valuation, realistic expectations about investor requirements, and the ability to keep a transaction moving forward when it matters most.
Transaction Exposure
Direct experience in Irish corporate finance advisory and transaction support.
Investment Analysis
Background in investment analysis, due diligence, and private equity.
Capital Markets
Hands on capital markets experience through SME Funding and M&A.
How We Work
Structured, discreet, and commercially focused
Direct with owners
Working directly with business owners to understand their goals, concerns, and constraints before any investor engagement begins.
Alongside advisors
Collaborating with accountants, solicitors, and corporate finance advisors to ensure the equity process complements the broader advisory relationship.
Into the investor network
Connecting businesses with relevant investors from a curated network of family offices, private investors, and strategic funds with Irish SME mandates.
Irish Investor Awards 2024
Transaction recognised at the Irish Investor Awards 2024.
Deal of the Year 2025
Irish Investor Awards Deal of the Year (Sub €2.5m) 2025 — Customs Window investment.
Irish SME Focus
Exclusively focused on the Irish SME equity market.
Start a conversation
Confidential, practical, and focused on fit.