Enterprise Ireland has launched Startup Ireland, targeting 1,000 new start-ups with €100k accelerator funding, an AI programme and a National Startup Hub in Dublin.
Enterprise Ireland has launched Startup Ireland, a new national initiative aimed at supporting the creation of 1,000 new start-ups and helping more Irish companies reach international scale.
The initiative, announced in Dublin on Tuesday, will bring together Government, enterprise agencies, investors, universities, industry and the wider start-up community as part of an effort to create a more coordinated support system for founders.
“Our ambition is to help more Irish companies start and achieve international scale”
Startup Ireland has set a target of supporting 1,000 new start-ups and increasing by 20% the number of start-ups reaching €1 million in turnover.
The programme is accompanied by the Start-up Ireland Roadmap, which sets out plans spanning funding, accelerators, mentorship, specialist expertise and international market access.
Enterprise Ireland said the initiative incorporates feedback gathered from founders calling for a simpler and more nationally integrated support system.
Its programme will operate across three areas: developing a high-performance start-up ecosystem, accelerating the creation of start-ups and scaleups, and connecting Irish founders with international markets, customers and investors.
KEY NUMBERS: Startup Ireland
- 20% targeted increase in start-ups reaching €1m turnover
- €100,000 investment for National Company Accelerator participants
- 35% target for supported start-ups to be female-led
- 30+ partners involved in the Startup Ireland AI Accelerator
- 12 weeks of technical expertise, customer and investor access
- €1m+ in potential technology and cloud credits for eligible AI start-ups
- 500+ entrepreneurs engaged through the 2025 Founders Listening Tour
- Three pillars spanning ecosystem development, scaling and international connectivity
Editorial takeaway: Startup Ireland is combining capital, acceleration and international connections to increase the number and scale of Irish start-ups.
National Startup Hub planned for Dublin
A central part of the initiative will be the establishment of a National Startup Hub, which will be co-located with Enterprise Ireland’s new Dublin city-centre headquarters.
The hub is designed to provide a meeting point for founders, investors, multinational companies, researchers and other partners, while connecting start-ups with specialist infrastructure, innovation supports and regional partners around Ireland.
It will also provide a landing point for overseas entrepreneurs and investors seeking to engage with Ireland’s start-up ecosystem.
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Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD described Startup Ireland as a major development for the country’s start-up sector.
“Startup Ireland is a landmark initiative and a vitally important step in strengthening Ireland’s future economy, creating a more connected and easier-to-navigate start-up system. By speeding up founder access to support, funding and international connections, we can help more Irish start-ups grow into successful companies with global ambition.”
He added: “This initiative will bring greater coordination across the start-up ecosystem and ensure that founders are at the centre of how supports are designed and delivered.”
€100,000 investment for accelerator participants
Startup Ireland will also introduce a National Accelerator Programme covering businesses at a number of stages of development.
A National Company Accelerator will provide a €100,000 investment for participating companies to help accelerate growth and international scaling.
A separate Talent accelerator will target experienced people at the pre-company and pre-idea stage, helping them validate opportunities, form businesses and work towards pre-seed investment.
The initiative will also expand regional pre-accelerator and early-stage activities, while sectoral and specialist programmes are planned for high-growth industries.
Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail Alan Dillon’ TD’ said: “Startup Ireland is a key priority under the Programme for Government and is designed to strengthen and streamline Ireland’s start-up support ecosystem and unlock the next generation of high growth, globally scalable start-ups.”
“Startup Ireland will deliver best in class accelerator and training supports, with a strong focus on native AI, emerging technologies and specialist sectors, broader regional coverage, and fast tracked access to funding and international markets.”
AI accelerator brings together more than 30 partners
The first specialist programme will be the Startup Ireland AI Accelerator, which will be delivered by Dogpatch Labs.
More than 30 partners will participate, including Analog Devices, Anthropic, Amazon, Crusoe, ElevenLabs, Fin, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Stripe and Vanta, alongside investors and other ecosystem partners.
Selected companies will receive 12 weeks of direct access to technical expertise, potential customers and investors. Eligible start-ups will also have access to more than €1 million in potential technology and cloud credits.
The programme includes a two-day trip to Paris, where participants will meet investors, customers and AI founders, including at F/ai Deal Day at STATION F.
Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland will collaborate to connect participating start-ups with multinational companies in Ireland and overseas, with a focus on potential customers, technical expertise and commercial partnerships.
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smith TD said: “Startup Ireland is designed to make it easier for founders to access support, expertise, funding and international opportunities.”
She added: “The new Startup Ireland AI Accelerator brings Ireland’s start-up and multinational sectors together to provide our most innovative AI-native start-ups with direct access to the world’s leading AI infrastructure providers, tools and investors and I look forward to following the companies that come through the programme on their growth journey.”
Founder support and international connections
Further measures contained in the Startup Ireland Roadmap include an AI-enabled digital platform designed to simplify applications, alongside a dedicated website and Founder Support Service offering access to information, events, guidance and supports.
A Strategic Advisory Forum will bring entrepreneurs, investors, Government representatives and other stakeholders together to inform future policy and programmes.
A nationwide Founders Exchange and new Mentor Network are also planned, while international accelerator partnerships and Soft-Landing Zones will be developed in key overseas markets.
The New Frontiers programme will be strengthened through a refreshed model and enhanced stipend, with an emphasis on building scalable and investment-ready businesses.
Startup Ireland has also set a target for 35% of supported start-ups to be female-led, alongside supports for under-represented founders and a focus on regional development.
‘A major step change’
Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia said start-ups had a central role to play in Ireland’s future economic development.
“Startup Ireland represents a major step change in how we support founders and build the next generation of Irish companies. Start-ups are central to Ireland’s future economic strength, providing the pipeline of companies that will drive exports, innovation, high-value employment and economic growth.”
“Our ambition is to help more Irish companies start and achieve international scale. Startup Ireland will back ambitious entrepreneurs, accelerate their path to scale and create a more connected and responsive system around them.”
Melia said the accelerator programmes would help companies “develop new technologies and intellectual property in Ireland, access international markets and build globally competitive businesses from here.”
Conor O’Donovan, Head of Startup Ireland at Enterprise Ireland, said access to capital, expertise and international networks had emerged as important priorities during engagement with founders.
“Founders have consistently told us that ambition alone is not enough. They need early access to capital, experienced mentors, specialist expertise, and stronger connections to international markets and investors.”
“Startup Ireland, which was formally established by Government today, is designed to respond to those needs. Led by Enterprise Ireland, it will make it easier for founders to navigate the system, secure investment, access expert support and build companies that can scale from Ireland and compete internationally.”
More than 500 founders consulted
The development of Startup Ireland was informed by national and international research as well as consultation with founders, Government partners and industry stakeholders.
Enterprise Ireland’s 2025 Founders Listening Tour engaged more than 500 entrepreneurs.
The initiative also takes account of OECD recommendations on Ireland’s start-up ecosystem covering coordination, internationalisation, mentorship, sector-focused programmes and clearer pathways for founders.
Startup Ireland forms part of Enterprise Ireland’s Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally strategy and will support Government priorities around competitiveness, productivity and innovation-led growth.
Image at top: Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland
Frequently asked questions about Startup Ireland
What is Startup Ireland?
Startup Ireland is a national initiative led by Enterprise Ireland to make it easier for founders to start, scale and succeed from Ireland. It will bring together Government, agencies, investors, universities, industry and the wider start-up community.
What are the main targets of Startup Ireland?
Startup Ireland aims to support the creation of 1,000 new start-ups and increase the number of start-ups reaching €1 million in turnover by 20%. It also targets having 35% of supported start-ups female-led.
What support will the National Startup Hub provide?
The National Startup Hub will connect founders with investors, multinational companies, researchers and other partners. It will provide access to specialist expertise, networking, peer learning, international connections and innovation supports.
What is the Startup Ireland National Accelerator Programme?
The programme will support founders from idea and company formation through to investment readiness and international scaling. Its National Company Accelerator will provide a €100,000 investment for participants, alongside talent, regional pre-accelerator and specialist programmes.
What will start-ups receive through the Startup Ireland AI Accelerator?
Selected companies will receive 12 weeks of access to technical expertise, customers and investors. Eligible start-ups can access more than €1 million in potential technology and cloud credits, while the programme also includes a two-day international trip to Paris.
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