More than 15,000 new businesses were launched in the first half of 2026, a 13% increase in company formations.
Ireland recorded its highest-ever number of company start-ups in the first six months of the year, with almost 15,000 new businesses established across Ireland.
That’s according to new figures from credit risk analyst firm Vision-net by CRIF.
“We are seeing a rising tide across 18 counties, with traditional urban hubs like Dublin, Limerick, and Cork supported by phenomenal surges in counties like Wicklow and Kilkenny”
A total of 14,949 new companies were registered during the first half of 2026, representing a 13% increase on the 13,233 start-ups recorded during the same period last year. The figure marks the strongest half-year performance for business creation since records began.
Key economic sectors including IT (62%), motor (31%), manufacturing (26%), construction (22%) saw positive growth. With June being the busiest month for new company startups in the year so far, with 2,744 new companies registered in the month.
18 counties saw an increase in startups for H1 2026 compared to H1 2025, notably Wicklow (31%), Kilkenny (26%), Louth (21%), Kildare (16%) and Donegal (12%). Counties with large urban populations including Dublin (16%), Limerick (22%), Cork (13%) and Galway (18%) also experienced a positive first half of the year in new start-ups.
Encouraging bellwether
Vision-net by CRF managing director Christine Cullen said the sharp decline in both commercial and consumer judgments in the first half of 2026 is a highly encouraging bellwether for the Irish economy.
She said a 45% drop in the value of commercial judgments to €15m, alongside an 18% year-on-year decrease in volume, signals that Irish businesses are managing liquidity with remarkable agility despite global headwinds.
The firm said that for entrepreneurs and startups, this environment represents a significant reduction in systemic credit risk, paving the way for greater investment confidence and smoother scaling.
Coupled with a substantial 15% decrease in the number of consumer judgments, and a 58% drop in the value of consumer judgments it is clear that financial resilience is strengthening across the board. Stronger household balance sheets directly translate to robust consumer confidence, which is the ultimate fuel for domestic entrepreneurship and retail growth.
“The figures for the first half of 2026 paint a remarkably resilient picture of the Irish business landscape,” Cullen said. “Witnessing a 13% year-on-year increase in new company startups, totalling nearly 15,000 new businesses, is a clear indicator that entrepreneurial spirit and consumer confidence are holding steady, even against a backdrop of ongoing global economic uncertainty.
“What is particularly encouraging is the sheer breadth of this growth. We are seeing a rising tide across 18 counties, with traditional urban hubs like Dublin, Limerick, and Cork supported by phenomenal surges in counties like Wicklow and Kilkenny. Furthermore, growth is being driven by cornerstones of our economy, led by a massive spike in IT startups, followed by strong gains in the motor, construction and manufacturing sectors.
“This entrepreneurial surge is well-supported by a sharp contraction in financial distress. The 45% drop in the value of commercial judgments alongside a 15% decrease in the number of consumer judgments, and a 58% drop in the value of consumer judgments suggests that both businesses and individuals are navigating cash flows with greater stability and clearing previous credit hurdles,” Cullen said.
Image at top: Vision-net by CRF managing director Christine Cullen
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