New Accelerate Hub to connect entrepreneurs with investors, mentors and practical expertise.
Start-ups supported by Ireland’s network of Business Innovation Centres (BICs) secured €34 million in funding in 2025, underlining the continued importance of structured early-stage support across the country’s innovation ecosystem.
According to the Irish BICs Annual Report, €26.5 million of the total came through the Innovative High Potential Start-Up programme, with a further €7.5 million delivered via the Pre-Seed Start Fund.
“For the founders of highly innovative start-up and scale-up enterprises, the pace of change has never been so fast, and the level of disruption has never been so great”
The four regional centres, AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor BIC and WestBIC, also backed 110 companies in their funding applications over the year.
The figures point to a steady flow of capital into emerging Irish ventures at a time when founders are navigating tighter funding markets and increasing pressure to scale efficiently. The organisations, which collectively bring more than 35 years of experience in supporting entrepreneurs, continue to act as a bridge between first-time founders and institutional funding routes.
Companies supported in 2025 include Valentia Island Vermouth, Reso Health, ALPACA and Silicate, reflecting a spread of activity across consumer products, healthcare and technology.
Expanding support beyond capital
The Irish BIC network emphasises that capital is only one part of the growth journey for early-stage businesses. Alongside funding, the centres provide guidance on commercial strategy, product validation and international expansion.
This broader role will be on display at this year’s Dublin Tech Summit, where the network is launching an Accelerate Hub for the first time. The initiative will offer a dedicated space on-site for founders to engage directly with advisors, mentors and service providers.
The hub is designed to give practical support across key areas of business development, including securing investment, refining business models and preparing for scale. It reflects a growing focus within the Irish start-up ecosystem on hands-on, operational guidance rather than purely financial assistance.
In parallel, an Accelerate Stage programme will run throughout the summit, featuring discussions on topics central to founders in 2026, including fundraising strategies, sustainable scaling and competing in increasingly crowded markets.
Founders face complex operating environment
Martin Murray, chair of Irish BICs and chief executive of Furthr, said founders are operating in an environment shaped by rapid change across multiple dimensions.
“For the founders of highly innovative start-up and scale-up enterprises, the pace of change has never been so fast, and the level of disruption has never been so great,” he said. “Technological, geopolitical, financial and social change are impacting every aspect of what you do.”
He added that even experienced entrepreneurs are seeking structured support as they build businesses in this environment.
“In this environment, even successful serial entrepreneurs require guidance, mentoring and support. The Irish BICs have been providing that support for almost 40 years. If you’re a founder with big ambitions, come and talk to us at the Accelerate Hub. We work pro bono, so the only thing we are focused on is your success.”
National reach, regional delivery
The four BICs operate on a regional basis, providing coverage across the country while maintaining close ties with local business communities.
AxisBIC serves Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick, while Furthr covers Dublin and much of the north-east. Propelor BIC works across the south-east and midlands, and WestBIC operates throughout the west and north-west.
This structure allows founders to access support locally while tapping into a national network of expertise, investors and corporate partners.
Dublin Tech Summit 2026 will take place at the RDS on 27 and 28 May, bringing together founders, investors and industry leaders from across Ireland and further afield.
Organisers have introduced a dedicated start-up ticket priced at €145 excluding VAT, aimed at improving access for early-stage companies. The move reflects a wider effort to ensure early-stage founders can participate in ecosystem events that have traditionally been weighted towards more established firms.
Speakers confirmed for the event include tech entrepreneur and former broadcaster Mark Little, Sure Valley Ventures managing partner Barry Downes, Chirp founder Rena Maycock, WakeUp Capital’s Faye Walsh Drouillard and Klearcom chief executive Liam Dunne.
The addition of the Accelerate Hub and Stage suggests a sharpened focus on practical outcomes for founders, aligning with a broader shift in the Irish start-up landscape towards execution, capital efficiency and international scalability.
As funding conditions remain selective, the €34 million secured by BIC-supported companies in 2025 highlights the continuing role of structured support networks in helping founders convert early-stage ideas into investable, growth-ready businesses.
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