Enterprise Ireland survey reveals strong growth in research commercialisation, industry partnerships and innovation activity.
Ireland’s publicly funded research system continued to generate strong economic and commercial impacts in 2025, with research spin-out companies employing almost 2,500 people and patent applications rising by 49%, according to Enterprise Ireland’s latest Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey.
The survey highlights growing collaboration between researchers and industry, with total research expenditure reaching €953 million during the year, an increase of 8.3%.
“These results demonstrate the value of connecting Ireland’s world-class research base with the ambition and innovation of Irish enterprise”
Among the key findings, 2,393 new R&D and consultancy agreements were signed with industry and non-commercial organisations, with 63% involving Irish SMEs. The survey also recorded 528 invention disclosures, up 18%, alongside 118 patent applications.
Commercialisation pipeline
The commercialisation pipeline remained active, with 260 Licence, Option and Assignment agreements completed during the year, up 18%. Eighty per cent of these agreements were granted to Irish companies.
The survey found that 20 new spin-out companies were established in 2025, bringing the total number of active spin-outs to 178. Collectively, these businesses employ 2,467 people. Since 2021, a total of 127 spin-out companies have emerged from publicly funded research.
At the end of 2025, there were 1,450 active industry R&D projects underway across Ireland’s research system.
The results also indicate increasing success in bringing research to market, with 20 licences resulting in new products and services being launched during the year.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD, said the findings demonstrate the value of linking research excellence with enterprise ambition.
“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 at Enterprise Ireland, said the results reflect the success of collaboration between higher education institutions, researchers and businesses.
“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,” Healy said.
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