Irish AI companies attract nearly €1bn in VC investment since 2025 as Ireland ranks second in Europe per-capita for AI VC deal count

New PitchBook analysis finds €947.3m invested across 182 Irish AI deals since the beginning of 2025

Dublin, 12 October 2026: Irish AI companies have attracted €947.3 million in venture capital investment across 182 deals since the beginning of 2025, according to new independent analysis by PitchBook, the leading private capital market intelligence platform. 

Irish AI companies raised a record €691.3 million across 107 deals in 2025, followed by a further €256 million across 75 deals in 2026 to date. In 2026 to date, Ireland ranks ninth in Europe for AI VC deal count and second on a per-capita basis.

PitchBook describes the 2026 market as “settling after a banner year for investment”, with the reduction from last year’s record levels representing “normalisation rather than retreat.”

The report is being published by Enterprise Ireland ahead of the International AI Summit in Dublin on 14 October, the flagship AI event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, focused on harnessing AI to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.

PitchBook finds that investment is increasingly concentrated in later-stage companies. In 2025, late-stage AI VC deal value reached a record €380.5 million, while venture-growth investment reached €179 million, 2.5 times and 1.9 times their respective 2024 levels.

In 2026 to date, €135.5 million has been invested across 18 late-stage deals, with a further €61 million invested across three venture-growth rounds. PitchBook says this reflects a shift towards fewer, larger rounds going to more established companies.

Among the largest recent investments were Wayflyer’s €161.8 million round and Tines’ €120.7 million Series C in 2025, while CameraMatics raised €49 million in 2026.

The analysis also shows a growing international investor base around Irish technology companies. International investors in Enterprise Ireland-backed companies include Accel, Kinnevik, Tiger Global, Tencent, Summit Partners, 83North, Endeavor Catalyst and EQT Life Sciences, alongside strategic investors including ABB, Samsung and Yokogawa.

Ireland also has a significant domestic investment base. Act Venture Capital is the most active investor after Enterprise Ireland across the cohort analysed, followed by Elkstone and Atlantic Bridge, with Delta Partners, Furthr VC and Irrus Investments also active. The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund provide a further source of domestic capital.

The breadth and quality of these co-investors point to investor confidence in the commercial potential of Irish technology companies. 

The report also finds that Ireland’s AI activity extends beyond enterprise software into healthcare, medtech, biotech and other applied sectors. Healthcare-related businesses feature among the largest Irish AI VC deals since 2020, including FIRE1 and Deciphex.

It also identifies 360 active or pending patent filings associated with Enterprise Ireland-backed AI companies, pointing to IP development in areas including health diagnostics, imaging and security.

Enterprise Ireland has participated in 392 Irish AI funding rounds since 2020 and in nearly two-thirds of Irish AI deals in 2026 to date, alongside the growing domestic and international investor base.

Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said: “PitchBook’s independent analysis shows the scale of investment now going into Irish AI companies, with almost €1 billion raised since the beginning of 2025. 

“The level of investment reflects the calibre and growing maturity of Irish AI companies, the breadth of sectors they are operating in and the strength of the intellectual property being developed in Ireland. 

“Investment is only part of the story. Our focus is on helping Irish companies start and scale internationally, build strong leadership teams, develop valuable IP and create jobs and economic value in Ireland. As AI moves further into areas such as healthcare, financial services and critical infrastructure, trust, governance and assurance will also become increasingly important to commercial success.”

Niamh Smyth TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, said: “AI is moving rapidly into practical use across the economy. For Irish businesses, the prize is greater productivity, stronger competitiveness and new opportunities for growth.

“The International AI Summit will focus on how Europe can turn advances in AI into economic value, while building the skills, infrastructure and trusted regulatory environment needed to support adoption and investment.”

The International AI Summit takes place in Dublin on 14 October 2026 as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.

View the report - Ireland’s AI Economy

ENDS

For reference, please contact: 

Marika MacCarvill, Lead, Global Strategic Communications & International External Affairs 

marika.maccarvill@enterprise-ireland.com / + 353 86 171 2568