The flow of innovative start-ups into the Irish economy is critical for future growth. High growth potential start-ups that can develop innovative products and services, underpinned by the imaginative use of technology, will be significant drivers in Ireland’s continued economic success. Encouraging and supporting these innovation-led high potential start-up companies (HPSUs) with an export focus is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland and is fundamental to building the next generation of world-class Irish companies.
Our dedicated HPSU Business Unit will continue to drive the development of these innovative new companies. Its added focus in 2008–2010 will be on assisting Irish companies to achieve scale at the earliest stage of development.
Strategic targetWe will continue to drive the establishment of HPSUs throughout Ireland by:
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To achieve these targets the HPSU Business Unit will continue to stimulate and develop a strong flow of innovation-led start-ups.
A dynamic and healthy venture capital market is a prerequisite for the growth and development of high potential start-up companies in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has focused on stimulating seed and venture capital funds in order to promote the availability of this important source of funding. Under the 2007–2012 Seed and Venture Capital Programme Enterprise Ireland is investing €175 million in a new round of venture capital funding. This is expected to leverage an estimated €1 billion for investment in start-up, early stage and development stage businesses.
