Over €32 million invested in Irish Startups in 2025

• 198 new start-ups were supported by Enterprise Ireland across Ireland in 2025
• 52% of startups supported have AI as a central part of their product or service
• €21m Startup Ireland National Accelerator Programme announced
  
   

Enterprise Ireland, the government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish companies in global markets, invested €32.9 million in Irish startups and supported a total of 198 startup companies in 2025, 90 of which are High Potential Startups, with the remaining 108 businesses supported through early-stage funding.

The figures were announced today at Enterprise Ireland’s annual Startup Day in Dublin, with 650 delegates in attendance to recognise the ‘Class of 2025’ - Enterprise Ireland supported start-up companies and the wider start-up ecosystem, including investors, state agencies and startup accelerators. Investment in Irish startups in 2025 was provided through Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) and Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) programmes.

Start–ups and funding supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2025 include:

• €32.9 million invested in startups in 2025, of which €23m in equity investment approved to HPSUs and €9.55m in pre-seed start funding
• 55 of the early-stage startups supported in 2025 were female-led
• 99 companies have AI as a central part of their product or service
• Seed & Venture Capital Schemes supported by Enterprise Ireland invested €80m into 76 Irish Companies in 2025
• 28 Startup businesses emerging from the research eco-system were directly supported
• 67 Commercialisation Fund approvals to third-level researchers totalling €22million

National Accelerator Programme

Enterprise Ireland today announced details of the establishment of a new National Accelerator Programme, with a budget of €21 million over the next three years, as successor to the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) and will shortly be seeking applications of interest from operating bodies through a formal tender process.

Building on the success of the NDRC and following extensive stakeholder engagement, Enterprise Ireland will work closely with operators to deliver a redesigned accelerator model which focuses on specialist sectors, more extensive regional coverage, enhanced international connectivity, reduced fragmentation, and improved access to founder-led mentorship.

The new National Accelerator programme is a key priority under the Government’s Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity and will form a central pillar of Enterprise Ireland’s new Startup Ireland initiative, which is expected to be formally launched in the coming weeks.

The programme will also reflect the changing needs of early‑stage founders, including training to support AI-native innovation and development of scalable AI infrastructure, ensuring it is future‑focused and capable of supporting startups in an evolving innovation landscape.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said, “Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are driving deep changes across business and the global economy. Ireland’s response to these changes must include a renewed and coordinated focus on innovation‑led, Irish‑owned enterprises with the ambition and capability to compete and scale globally. The new €21 million National Accelerator Programme is a key action under the Programme for Government and is designed to strengthen and streamline Ireland’s startup support ecosystem and unlock the next generation of high‑growth, globally scalable startups. My Department and Enterprise Ireland will continue to work together to develop a system-wide approach that accelerates startup growth, internationalisation, and scaling.”

Speaking at Enterprise Ireland’s Start-Up Day in Dublin today, Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon said: “Startup Day recognises the success of Irish startups in 2025. The forthcoming establishment of Startup Ireland is a key priority under the Government’s Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity, as global competition, technological disruption and geopolitical uncertainty demand renewed focus on building sustainable Irish businesses. The new €21million National Accelerator will support Irish founders to start, scale and internationalise in order to secure Ireland’s economy both nationally and internationally.” 

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Startup Day 2026 marks the opportunity to reflect and recognise the success of Irish startups, which continue to build and thrive in Ireland’s economy. The diversity and success of the class of 2025 is a true testament to the ambition of the founders and the work of Enterprise Ireland, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for such a talented group of entrepreneurs. Startups are critical for our future – economically, reputationally and societally. Our goal at Enterprise Ireland is to ensure that the necessary support systems and resources are in place to empower founders as they scale their ventures.”

Commenting on the announcement of the new National Accelerator, Conor O’Donovan, Head of Startups at Enterprise Ireland, said: “We’ve listened closely to founders who have told us they need early access to capital, experienced mentors, specialist expertise, and international markets and investors. The new Startup Ireland National Accelerator tender will deliver best‑in‑class accelerator and training supports, with a strong focus on native AI, emerging technologies and specialist sectors, broader regional coverage, and fast‑tracked access, funding and international markets.”

Ends

The Start-Up Day 2026 Directory is available to download here 

For information, please contact:

press@enterprise-ireland.com