Ireland’s export and business growth agency Enterprise Ireland broadens equity strategy as employment reaches record high amid global uncertainty.
Enterprise Ireland-backed companies employed a record 232,425 people at the end of 2025, as steady hiring across food, industry and technology helped deliver a net increase of 2,938 jobs during the year.
The results, published at the agency’s end‑of‑year briefing, show continued expansion despite a volatile global trading environment. Three of Enterprise Ireland’s four years of job growth have now occurred since the pandemic, underscoring the role of long-term state investment in Irish enterprise.
“Time and again, our resilient Irish businesses have shown an ability not just to withstand disruption, but to respond with agility, determination and ambition”
Alongside employment gains, the agency sharply increased its equity activity.
Enterprise Ireland invested just under €50m directly in companies during 2025, leveraging total funding of €440m. Individual investments ranged from €100,000 to €2m, reflecting a shift towards multi-stage investing designed to support companies beyond their early funding rounds.
Sectoral growth broad-based
All three of Enterprise Ireland’s main sectoral divisions recorded employment growth during the year.
Food and sustainability companies supported by the agency now employ 69,295 people, an increase of 0.6%. Industrial and life sciences firms grew employment by 2% to 101,747 roles, while technology and services companies expanded to 61,383 employees, up 0.8%.
Within these headline figures, several subsectors recorded stronger momentum. Climate tech and renewable energy companies increased employment by 6.5%, reflecting growing demand for energy transition solutions. Employment in housing-related businesses rose by 4%, while high-tech construction firms expanded their workforce by 2.5%. The fintech and financial services sector delivered growth of 4.9% over the year.
Resilience and regional progress
Speaking at the event, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke, TD, said the results illustrated Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a place to grow internationally focused businesses.
“The results announced today by Enterprise Ireland are indicative of a resilient Ireland that, despite huge global challenges, remains an attractive base for businesses to start, grow and scale,” he said. “The increased level of funding by Enterprise Ireland demonstrates that long-term investment delivers sustainable growth and ultimately the creation of high value jobs across the country.”
He added that, as geopolitical uncertainty continues to shape global trade, building a diversified economy remains a central policy objective, supported by the government’s five-year National Development Plan.
Minister of State Brian Dillon, TD, pointed to strong performance outside Dublin, noting that regional employment now accounts for almost 70 per cent of new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland-backed firms.
“Today’s results allow for optimism,” he said. “Set against the backdrop of tariff uncertainty over the last 12 months, the jobs growth of 69 per cent across the regions is particularly heartening. Regional development is a core focus of this government and through targeted investment in local enterprise we will ensure that businesses in every part of Ireland can grow and succeed.”
AI adoption accelerates
Jenny Melia, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, said the figures highlighted the adaptability of Irish businesses in an unsettled global environment.
“Irish businesses have faced an extraordinary series of global shocks in recent times and today, we continue to operate in an environment of shifting global trade dynamics,” she said. “Time and again, our resilient Irish businesses have shown an ability not just to withstand disruption, but to respond with agility, determination and ambition.”
Looking ahead, Melia said supporting international scale would remain a priority, with artificial intelligence playing a growing role. A recent Enterprise Ireland survey found that 87 per cent of client companies are already integrating or planning to integrate AI into their operations, while two‑thirds believe digitalisation will be critical in winning future international business.
“Irish entrepreneurs have strong global ambition,” she said. “Our role is to support that ambition by helping companies harness new technologies and build sustainable international growth.”
The briefing also highlighted Origina, the Dublin-founded software company, which announced the creation of 350 new jobs alongside the launch of a new predictive security product.
Origina was cited by the agency as an example of an Irish company winning customers through sustained innovation and international focus, supported by Enterprise Ireland funding as it scaled its operations.
Top image: Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia
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