More than 200,000 people are now employed by Enterprise Ireland supported companies - the highest number in the history of the Agency. Over the period of its 2014-2016 Strategy ‘Driving Enterprise, Delivering Jobs’, 45,592 new full time jobs were created by client companies. A total of 19,244 new jobs (full and part-time) in Enterprise Ireland supported businesses were created in 2016 - almost two thirds of these were outside Dublin. Enterprise Ireland's 2017 - 2020 Strategy has also been launched and aims for an increase of €5bn in exports per annum and 60,000 new jobs over the next four years.

Enterprise Ireland companies saw an increase of 10% in exports in 2015, compared with 2014, amounting to an all-time high of €20.6 billion. The export figure is now almost double what it was 10 years ago. There were increases in exports in all sectors notably software, construction and manufacturing. There was a big focus on diversification into USA, Europe and High Growth Markets.

Top tips on applying for the Competitive Start Fund for all sectors with focus on ICT. Current call opened on 25th January.

The Enterprise Ireland Student Entrepreneur Awards are part of a major drive aimed at encouraging students to start their own businesses; helping them turn their ideas into a commercial reality. This year celebrates the 35th year of these prestigious awards. Gasgon Medical is this year's winner. The company aims to deliver unique and innovative medical devices to improve patient safety and support medical professionals during common procedures.

Starting & growing businesses is a key focus of Enterprise Ireland's Female Entrepreneurship programmes which include a dedicated Competitive Start Fund to encourage more women to start a business. 61 new female-led start-ups were supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2015 - up from 43 in 2014

Over 300 start-ups, investors and entrepreneurs gathered at Dublin Castle for the High Potential Start-Up Class of 2015 Investor & Networking Event.

Start-ups are a powerful engine of job creation and economic growth. Nurturing and supporting early stage High Potential Start-Ups is a key pillar of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy ‘Driving Enterprise, Delivering Jobs’.