Entperprise Ireland report shows local sports tech companies maintaining appeal with VC firms

Strong patent activity points to significant advancements made

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According to a new report from Enterprise Ireland, the sports tech ecosystem has defied the international downward trend in venture capital activity seen in other regions since 2022. Irish sports tech VC deal count grew by more than 50% in 2023, compared with an overall drop of more than 30% for Europe in the same period. In 2024, Ireland’s deal count grew an additional 47.1%, while broader European deal count declined again by 15.5%.

Since 2014, Irish sports tech start-ups have collectively raised over €224 million in VC funding across 181 transactions. Notable VC funding rounds include Kitman Labs (€71.1 million raised) and Xtremepush (€18.6 million) and Output Sports with €4.5 million raised in 2025.  

Year-to-date 2025 data shows that Ireland ranks seventh in Europe for total sports tech VC deal count, despite its relatively small population. On a per-capita basis, this ranking rises to first, and Ireland has maintained a top four ranking nearly every year over the past decade.

Keith Brock, Enterprise Ireland’s senior client advisor for enterprise solutions, said: “The Irish sports tech industry has expanded rapidly over the past 10 years, both in terms of the number of companies, but also in the level of investment they have attracted and the impact they are achieving internationally working with global sports leagues. 

“Across Enterprise Ireland’s portfolio of sports tech companies, there are 89 active or pending patents covering wearable devices, augmented reality, diagnostic, exercise equipment and equine health. This level of patents points to the strong level of R&D and innovation happening in the sector, which in turn is accelerating the international sports industry from athlete performance to fan engagement.

“We are proud of Enterprise Ireland’s role in supporting the Irish sports tech industry, leading sports tech investment not only in Ireland, but in Europe, with 19 sports tech investment since 2024 alone. However, while Enterprise Ireland has been backing the Irish sports tech industry, the industry has also attracted major global VC investment including from Octopus Ventures, Partech and Apex Capital.”

TechCentral Reporters

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