Start-up surge: Irish new company registrations reach record high

Irish start-up activity hit a record high in 2026, with 21,921 new companies registered as IT, construction and regional entrepreneurship surged.

Nearly 22,000 businesses launched in first nine months of the year as start-up activity rises across the country and financial distress indicators decline

Ireland has recorded its highest-ever number of company start-ups, with 21,921 new businesses registered in the first nine months of 2026, according to the latest figures from credit risk analyst Vision-net by CRIF.

The total represents an 8% increase on the same period in 2025, when 20,206 new companies were established, underlining continued entrepreneurial activity across the country despite ongoing economic pressures.

The data shows that business formation growth was widespread, with 18 counties recording year-on-year increases in start-up activity during the third quarter of 2026. Sligo led the way with growth of 21%, followed by Kilkenny (20%), Laois (19%), Offaly (18%) and Wicklow (16%).

The country’s largest urban centres also reported strong performances. Dublin recorded a 13% increase in new company registrations, while Galway rose by 11%, Limerick by 10% and Cork by 7%.

The figures point to broad-based growth across both regional and urban economies, reflecting sustained confidence among entrepreneurs nationwide.

Several key sectors experienced significant increases in company formation during the third quarter.

The IT sector recorded the strongest growth, with new company registrations rising by 54% year-on-year. The motor sector followed with growth of 23%, while construction start-ups increased by 15% and manufacturing registrations rose by 11%.

July proved to be the busiest month of the quarter, with 2,800 new companies registered.

The sectoral spread suggests that entrepreneurial activity continues to extend across both established industries and high-growth areas of the economy.

Financial resilience indicators improve

The increase in new business formation was accompanied by a decline in both commercial and consumer judgments, providing further evidence of improving financial resilience across the economy.

According to the report, the value of commercial judgments fell by 21% year-on-year to €31 million, while the volume of commercial judgments declined by 20%. Consumer judgments also dropped significantly, recording a 24% year-on-year decrease.

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The figures indicate a reduction in the level of financial distress captured by judgment activity compared with the previous year, while business formation continues to rise.

Christine Cullen, managing director of CRIFVision-net, said: “The figures show that company start-ups remained robust during the first nine months of 2026, reflecting the resilience of the Irish business landscape. A record 21,921 new companies were registered during the period, up 8% year-on-year. Importantly, this growth was not confined to the main urban centres, with increased start-up activity recorded across the entire country.”

She added: “What is particularly encouraging is the spread of this growth. Sectors including IT, motor, manufacturing and construction all recorded increased levels of company formation, while 18 counties saw year-on-year growth. This points to healthy entrepreneurial activity across a diverse range of industries and regions, extending well beyond the major urban centres.”

Cullen said the wider picture presented by the data was equally encouraging.

“While start-up numbers alone do not provide a complete picture of the health of the economy, the combination of record company formation and falling judgment activity provides an important snapshot of business resilience. It suggests that, despite the cost pressure, uncertainty and challenges facing many businesses, the Irish entrepreneurial ambition remains as strong as ever. We are seeing record numbers of entrepreneurs continuing to invest, expand and pursue opportunities for growth and innovation.”