Cork-born, nationwide digital specialist Granite sees a world of opportunity.
Granite, Ireland’s largest independent digital specialist, has landed a $10m investment from growth capital firm BGF to accelerate its international expansion and strengthen its digital services.
The Cork-based company plans to use the funding for strategic acquisitions and to deepen its presence in the United States, while continuing to invest in artificial intelligence capabilities.
“From its roots in Cork, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering digital excellence across Ireland and beyond”
Founded in 2008, Granite has built a reputation for delivering enterprise-level digital solutions to some of Ireland’s leading organisations.
Today, it operates across Cork, Dublin, Galway, Belfast, New York and Dubai, with more than 170 digital specialists. Since 2020, the company has completed eight acquisitions, boosting scale and sector expertise.
Scaling globally
Conor Buckley, chief executive and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 finalist, said the investment marks a pivotal moment for the business.
“Scaling in high-growth, competitive markets like the US and the Middle East is a necessity to stay ahead”
“The $10m investment from BGF is an immediate and substantial investment back into our client partnerships. We are expanding our geographic footprint in the US and accelerating our knowledge.
“Scaling in high-growth, competitive markets like the US and the Middle East is a necessity to stay ahead. The investment empowers us to scale our digital innovation and AI platforms globally and deepen our commitment to our Irish clients by ensuring they remain at the forefront of digital transformation and retain their competitive digital advantage.”
BGF, which describes itself as Ireland and the UK’s most active growth capital investor, said the deal reflects confidence in Granite’s ability to scale internationally.
“Granite is a prime example of the kind of high-performing, founder-led business BGF looks to support,” said Joe Higgins, investor at BGF.
“From its roots in Cork, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering digital excellence across Ireland and beyond. Our investment reflects our confidence in the team’s ability to scale internationally, and we’re excited to help unlock the next chapter of growth through strategic acquisitions and international expansion.”
Granite has already made inroads in the US, highlighted by its shortlisting for Best Large Agency of the Year at the 2025 US Agency Awards. The company aims to build on this momentum while maintaining its Irish heritage and client focus.
As part of its growth strategy, Granite has appointed Joy Marcus as non-executive chair.
Marcus, a US-based industry veteran with more than two decades of leadership experience in digital media and technology, has held senior roles at Condé Nast, Time Warner, MTV Networks, Barnes & Noble and DailyMotion. She joins the board following an introduction through BGF’s Talent Network.
“I’m thrilled to join Granite at such an exciting stage in its growth, and to partner with BGF as we take the business to the next level,” Marcus said. “Granite has built an impressive reputation for digital innovation and client excellence, and now has a real opportunity to bring that expertise to a global audience. With strong leadership, deep technical capability, and BGF’s strategic backing, the company is exceptionally well-positioned to expand its presence in the US and beyond.”
The investment is subject to approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Advisory teams included EY Cork and Regan Wall for Granite, and Forvis Mazars, Beauchamps, Rothschild & Co and Armstrong TS for BGF.
Top image: BGF’s Joe Higgins with Granite’s Conor Buckley and Seamus White, BGF’s MJ Murphy and Granite’s Robert Carpenter
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