InvestorTailored advisory services for corporate finance and wealth management.
The startup scene across Ireland
Where startups are forming across Ireland: the cities, accelerators and investors, and how you get close to them.
The ecosystem
The Central Statistics Office reports that Ireland ranked fifth among 27 EU member countries in the 2025 European Innovation Scoreboard, which uses 32 indicators.
Enterprise Ireland reported €32.9 million invested in Irish startups in 2025 and support for 198 startup companies that year. The agency describes its startup support as aimed at innovative businesses seeking international growth; OECD describes New Frontiers as an Enterprise Ireland program delivered through technical universities.
Sectors and strengths
In IVCA’s 2025 covered venture-equity figures, life sciences accounted for €461 million (40%), software €156 million (14%), cybersecurity €136 million (12%), AI and machine learning €104 million (9%), and fintech €96 million (8%). These shares describe reported venture funding.
As of . Official information. Source: Annual VC funding into Irish SMEs fell for first time since 2018
Enterprise Ireland reported that 99 of its supported companies had AI central to a product or service in 2025 and that it directly supported 28 startups emerging from the research ecosystem.
As of . Official information. Source: Over €32 million invested in Irish Startups in 2025
Capital providers
IVCA reported €1.1 billion in covered venture-equity funding in 2025, down 23% year over year; Q4 funding was €291.4 million, down 46%. The figures exclude debt and include SMEs headquartered anywhere on the island of Ireland.
As of . Official information. Source: Annual VC funding into Irish SMEs fell for first time since 2018
Round-size trends were mixed: €3 million to €5 million rounds totaled €113.8 million, up 39%; €1 million to €3 million rounds totaled €102.2 million, down 3%; and seed funding totaled €141 million, down 5%.
As of . Official information. Source: Annual VC funding into Irish SMEs fell for first time since 2018
Enterprise Ireland reported that its Seed and Venture Capital Schemes invested €80 million in 2025 and reached 76 Irish companies.
As of . Official information. Source: Over €32 million invested in Irish Startups in 2025
Startup support programs
Enterprise Ireland reported €9.55 million in Pre-Seed Start Fund funding and €23 million in approved HPSU equity investment in 2025. It supported 90 High Potential Startups that year; current application terms and availability were not established.
As of . Application availability not verified. Official information. Source: Over €32 million invested in Irish Startups in 2025
Enterprise Ireland recorded 67 Commercialisation Fund approvals to third-level researchers in 2025, totaling €22 million; current application availability was not established.
As of . Application availability not verified. Official information. Source: Over €32 million invested in Irish Startups in 2025
For investors
IVCA’s 2025 figures show a 23% annual decline in covered venture equity, alongside reported funding shares for life sciences, software, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, and fintech. These are dated market signals for the covered dataset.
As of . Official information. Source: Annual VC funding into Irish SMEs fell for first time since 2018
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Ireland ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking | 2026 | #7 | No change | B | Competitiveness, Business Climate, Performance |
 Bloomberg Innovation Index | 2019 | #14 | Down 1 | B | Innovation, Research |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (countries) | 2025 | #16 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Global Innovation Index | 2025 | #18 | Up 1 | A | Innovation, Competitiveness, Research, Talent |
 Doing Business (Ease of Doing Business ranking) | Doing Business 2020 | #24 | Down 1 | B | Business Climate |
162 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Ireland
Investors 99
Investor
InvestorInvesting in ambitious entrepreneurs for a sustainable future.
InvestorBoutique investment and wealth management firm.
The 3 most prominent of 99. Browse all investors
Incubators 33
IncubatorAccelerating Ireland's startup ecosystem.
IncubatorSupporting early-stage entrepreneurs and business ideas.
IncubatorSupporting startups with flexible office spaces and business services.
The 3 most prominent of 33. Browse all incubators
Accelerators 17
AcceleratorStudent Inc. is Ireland's longest-running student accelerator program, established in 2011 at MTU Cork. It supports university students in transforming…
AcceleratorEmpowering healthcare innovators through education and collaboration.
AcceleratorAccelerating startups for international growth.
The 3 most prominent of 17. Browse all accelerators
Venture studios 13
Venture studioInnovating aquaculture for a sustainable future.
Venture studioVenture-building and innovation studio in technology.
Venture studioCreating in-house companies for IPOs.
The 3 most prominent of 13. Browse all venture studios
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Ireland
UniversityListed in 3 rankings
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
UniversityListed in 1 ranking
UniversityListed in 1 ranking
UniversityListed in 1 ranking
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Ireland
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Ireland
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Ireland
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingCity guides
Cities in Ireland
The largest 4 of 6 published city guides.
Questions about Ireland
How does Ireland rank as a startup ecosystem?
Its best position is #7 in IMD WCR (2026). It appears in 5 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Ireland?
99 investors based in Ireland have a profile here, including Key Capital, BVP and Balfour Capital Group. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Ireland?
Yes. Ireland has 17 accelerators, 33 incubators and 13 venture studios on record, including Student Inc., Dogpatch Labs and Hatch Blue.
Which universities are in Ireland?
5 universities have a profile: Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and University College Cork and more.
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