Private Funding

I was reading on the S.T. about an alternative to the banks for small businesses to get funding - by borrowing online from wealthy private lenders. A new website has been set up firstfunding.org to match small businesses who want to borrow with individuals who have money to lend.
As you would expect it is very much UK focussed. I m wondering if there is an Irish equivelant to this??

I am not aware of a fund for lending.

But is there one for investors?

simple.ie
Puts small business in touch with investors, bit like Dragons Den, but without the stand up routine.