Asset Based Lending specialist Upstream ABL partners with Dublin’s newest rooftop restaurant experience

Belfast-based Structured Asset-Based Lending (ABL) specialist, Upstream ABL, has added its financial weight to support Dublin’s newest high-profile restaurant, DÍON, by agreeing to support its success and future ambitions with a multimillion-euro loan facility.
 
Boasting unmatched 360-degree sunrise and sunset views across Dublin’s cityscape, with a rooftop restaurant, lounge and bar and influenced by some of the world’s most celebrated dining experiences, DÍON, which is located on the ninth and tenth floor of Ireland’s former Central Bank on Dame Street, opened in December to outstanding reviews.
 
The deal is the latest in a series of high-profile transactions across the island of Ireland for Upstream ABL since it announced £150 million sterling (€173m) in funding from London’s Pollen Street Capital early last year. These include a multimillion-euro partnership with Dublin and Belfast-based Strategic Power Group to support the renewable energy project developer’s ambitions to scale up and advance its pipeline of solar PV and battery storage developments, announced in November.
 
Upstream ABL is Ireland’s only independent provider of Structured ABL finance solutions, providing ambitious, asset-rich businesses across the island of Ireland and Great Britain with access to the dynamic funding they need to fund new projects, acquisitions, and financial restructuring to drive growth and scale.

John Metcalfe, Upstream ABL’s Acquisition Manager, said:

DÍON is an outstanding addition to our expanding portfolio across the island of Ireland which highlights the attractiveness of our offer to a wide area of sectoral interests, from manufacturing, engineering to renewable energy, technology and hospitality and we’re delighted to be supporting a new business which is already celebrating significant success.
 
We support forward-thinking and ambitious businesses with bespoke and flexible finance solutions that can make all the difference to success, and we’re delighted to partner with the team at DÍON to help deliver their unique offering within the Irish hospitality sector.

DÍON – derived from the word roof in Irish – has a capacity of 210 guests, with two semi-private dining rooms, each accommodating up to 24 but can be joined to create a private area with a capacity of 48. Three bars and lounge areas further accommodate over 100 people.
 
Upstream ABL was founded by CEO Judith Totten MBE, and following a successful management buyout in early 2025, has doubled its lending book within its first year. A specialist structured ABL lender, it is challenging the mainstream market with a comprehensive and tailored offering for SME and mid-corporate business owners.   

Commenting on the partnership, Judith Totten said:

We are delighted to be working the DÍON team, and we look forward to building a long-term relationship that supports their continued expansion.

More businesses are waking up to the benefits of ABL to support their growth ambitions which provides flexibility for growth, managing cash flow and funding change and which is increasingly been seen as a valuable, scalable tool to unlock vital capital tied up in receivables, inventory or equipment. We want more businesses to join us on our journey.

Upstream ABL has already built a reputation for flexibility and agility in providing tailored funding solutions. It guarantees all businesses access to an experienced, local decision-maker who understands the importance of swift and clear feedback, coupled with guidance and direction in structuring the most appropriate funding facility for now and into the future.