More than half of Enterprise Ireland-supported start-ups came from outside Dublin in 2023

Enterprise Ireland figures show €24m invested across 156 businesses

Trade

Pictured: Leo Clancy, Enterprise Ireland; Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary; Emma Meehan, Precision Sports Technology

Figures from Enterprise Ireland show investment of a combined €24 million in Irish start-ups representing 156 companies in 2023. Investment was provided through Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) and Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) programmes.

Start-ups supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2023 include: 85 high potential start-ups (HPSU) with high growth potential; 71 Pre-Seed Start Fund investments which inject critical early-stage funding into new businesses; 45 start-ups were women-led; 12 HPSUs linked to academic research; and 26 companies were spun out of third level institutions, 16 of which were supported through the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund Programme.

The figures were released as 600 delegates attended the Enterprise Ireland Start-Up Day today in Dublin Castle.

For the first time, the event included a ‘big ideas’ pitch element where the top 10 potential spin-outs borne out of Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Funded Research in Irish third level institutions will take to the stage to pitch their innovations. The winning pitch will go on to represent Ireland at the Pegasus Start-Up World Cup in San Francisco later in the year.

Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “The ambition and capability of Ireland’s start-ups has never been higher than it is today. The evidence is clear in the calibre of talent and innovation demonstrated by the 85 high potential start-ups and 71 early-stage businesses from across the country, which we celebrate here at Start-Up Day 2024.

“Supported by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, we have three main pathways to assist start-ups: the High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) programme, feasibility grant support, and pre-seed start funding. We will continue to help drive the success of the most forward-thinking Irish companies, enabling start-ups to thrive and influence the future of global business – cementing Ireland’s reputation as a prime hub for international trade.”

TechCentral Reporters

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