Research Spin-Outs Employ Almost 2,500 People as Patent Applications Increase by 49% in 2025

Enterprise Ireland’s Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey 2025 shows rising innovation activity and increased industry collaboration, with €953 million invested in research

Enterprise Ireland has published the Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey (AKTS) 2025, which highlights another year of strong performance across Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem and demonstrates the growing impact of publicly funded research on enterprise development, economic growth and job creation.

Key findings include:

• €953 million in total research expenditure, up 8.3% year-on-year
• 2,393 new R&D and consultancy agreements with industry and non-commercial organisations — 63% involving Irish SMEs
• 528 invention disclosures (up 18%) and 118 patent applications (up 49%)
• 260 Licence, Option and Assignment agreements, up 18%, with 80% granted to Irish companies
• 20 new spin-out companies; 178 active spin-outs employing 2,467 people
• 1,450 active industry R&D projects at year-end 2025

The results point to a robust innovation pipeline emerging from Ireland’s publicly funded research system, with 20 licences resulting in new products and services entering the market during the year. Since 2021, 127 spin-out companies have been established from publicly funded research.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said:
 “These results demonstrate the value of connecting Ireland’s world-class research base with the ambition and innovation of Irish enterprise. In 2025, there were 2,393 new agreements with industry, a significant increase in patent applications and new spin-out companies employing almost 2,500 people, all showing that publicly funded research is delivering tangible benefits for the economy, supporting jobs, competitiveness and regional development.
 
 The strong level of engagement from Irish SMEs is particularly encouraging, highlighting how research and innovation are helping businesses of all sizes to develop new products, access new opportunities and strengthen international competitiveness.”

Joe Healy, Divisional Manager, Research & Innovation, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Through our continued collaboration with higher education institutions and the research sector, we are ensuring that cutting-edge research is translated into real-world solutions, competitive advantage and high-value jobs for Irish companies. This success is a testament to the dedicated technology transfer teams working across Ireland’s universities and research organisations. 

“The findings also recognise the contribution of the technology transfer teams across Ireland’s universities and research organisations, whose expertise in intellectual property management and commercialisation helps transform research discoveries into products, services and companies. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the technology transfer offices and the wider research community to ensure Ireland remains at the forefront of innovation and enterprise development.”

KTI Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey 2025 - here

ENDS

For more information, contact:

Enterprise Ireland Press Office – press@enterprise-ireland.com