Enterprise Ireland launches a 12-week AI accelerator for 10 Irish startups, connecting founders with global tech firms, investors and €1m in credits.
Enterprise Ireland has launched a specialist AI accelerator aimed at giving Irish start-ups access to technology expertise, multinational companies and international investors as they prepare to scale.
The Startup Ireland AI Accelerator Programme is the first specialist accelerator to be delivered under Startup Ireland’s €21m National Accelerator Programme and will be run by Dogpatch Labs.
“This is the first of its kind in Ireland and brings Ireland’s start-up and multinational sectors together to provide our most promising AI-native startups with direct access to the world’s leading AI infrastructure providers, tools and investors”
Ten companies will be selected for the 12-week, non-equity programme, with participating founders given direct access to technical expertise, potential customers and investors.
More than 30 partners are involved, including technology companies Analog Devices, Anthropic, Amazon, Crusoe, ElevenLabs, Fin, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Stripe and Vanta.
Eligible start-ups will also have access to more than €1m in potential technology and cloud credits.
KEY NUMBERS: Startup Ireland AI Accelerator
- €21m National Accelerator Programme
- 10 AI companies selected
- 12 weeks of intensive support
- 30+ partners across technology, investment and the wider ecosystem
- €1m+ in potential technology and cloud credits
- 3+ hours weekly one-to-one engineering support per company
- 12 technology partners, including Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI and Google
- 12 investor partners spanning Irish and international venture capital
Editorial takeaway: The accelerator combines deep technical support, investor access and multinational connections to help Irish AI start-ups scale internationally.
Focus on AI-native start-ups
“The new Startup Ireland AI Accelerator – the first programme from Startup Ireland – is the first of its kind in Ireland and brings Ireland’s start-up and multinational sectors together to provide our most promising AI-native startups with direct access to the world’s leading AI infrastructure providers, tools and investors,” said Conor O’Donovan, Head of Startup Ireland at Enterprise Ireland.
“Our goal is to accelerate the development of AI Irish start-ups by providing access to the technology, connections and mentorship to help them grow faster and scale internationally from Ireland.”
Each of the 10 selected companies will have a named technical lead and receive at least three hours of one-to-one engineering support every week.
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The accelerator will also include a dedicated funding track designed to prepare companies for seed or Series A investment and connect founders with domestic and international customers and investors.
Participating companies will take part in a two-day international trip to Paris, where they will meet investors, customers and AI founders and attend F/ai Deal Day at STATION F.
Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland will collaborate to connect the companies with multinational businesses in Ireland and international markets.
The next generation of AI innovators
“The Startup Ireland AI Accelerator is an important initiative that will strengthen Ireland’s AI ecosystem,” said Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland.
“By connecting participating start-ups with IDA’s network of leading multinational companies, the programme will open up valuable opportunities to access technical expertise, potential customers and commercial partnerships. We look forward to working with Enterprise Ireland and the wider partner network to help the next generation of AI innovators compete on the global stage.”
Patrick Walsh, CEO and founder of Dogpatch Labs, said: “80% of the world’s top technology companies are already here. Ireland has the ingredients to build globally competitive AI companies. Our job is to put them within reach of founders.”
Investor network
The accelerator’s investor network includes ACT Venture Capital, Ada Ventures, Atlantic Bridge, Cherry Ventures, Earlybird, Elkstone, Episode 1, Frontline Ventures, Lightspeed, Playfair, Singular VC and Sure Valley Ventures.
No investor partner will receive privileged or exclusive access to participating companies.
The programme will also work with organisations around Ireland on national recruitment and providing access to research, sector expertise and founder communities.
Its regional and ecosystem network includes Monzo, Bronto, Jentic, CeADAR, Vcola, ESB, GreenTech HQ, Iarnród Éireann, ICHEC, PorterShed, RDI Hub, Republic of Work, The Mill Enterprise Hub, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and UCD.
The accelerator sits within Startup Ireland, the national cross-government initiative led by Enterprise Ireland to support founders from idea validation and early-stage development through to scaling and international growth.
Startup Ireland’s ambitions for 2026 to 2030 include supporting 1,000 new start-ups and ensuring 35% of supported companies are female-led. It also aims to increase the number of start-ups reaching €1m in turnover by 20% and strengthen Ireland’s position as a globally connected innovation hub.
Image at top: Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, Minister Peter Burke, TD, Michale Lohan, CEO, IDA and Conor O’Donovan, Head of Startup Ireland at Enterprise Ireland
FAQ: Startup Ireland AI Accelerator
What is the Startup Ireland AI Accelerator?
The Startup Ireland AI Accelerator is a 12-week, non-equity programme launched by Enterprise Ireland. It is the first specialist accelerator to be delivered under Startup Ireland’s €21 million National Accelerator Programme.
How many startups will take part in the Startup Ireland AI Accelerator?
Ten companies will be selected. Each will have a named technical lead and receive at least three hours of one-to-one engineering support every week.
What support will participating AI startups receive?
Companies will receive access to technical expertise, potential customers and investors. Eligible startups will also have access to more than €1 million in potential technology and cloud credits, alongside a dedicated funding track preparing them for seed or Series A investment.
Which technology companies are involved in the AI accelerator?
Technology partners include Analog Devices, Anthropic, Amazon, Crusoe, ElevenLabs, Fin, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Stripe and Vanta.
Will the Startup Ireland AI Accelerator provide international opportunities?
Yes. The programme includes a two-day trip to Paris to connect participating companies with investors, customers and AI founders, including attendance at F/ai Deal Day at STATION F.
👉 No tech background needed to bring your business into the AI age! Secure your Google AI Professional Certificate to complete the certification at no cost. Apply now and get started!
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