Cork to host fifth Regional Start-up Summit as Scale Ireland rallies innovation leaders. Event backed by Google, ISIF and Enterprise Ireland will hear from founders on access to capital, AI adoption and skills needs.
Scale Ireland will bring its fifth Regional Start-up Summit to Cork on 13 February at the Clayton Hotel in the city centre.
With Taoiseach Micheál Martin, TD, set to launch proceedings, the agenda focuses on the global potential of Irish start-ups, the realities of scaling, and the practical implications of the AI transition for young companies.
The event is supported by Google, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Enterprise Ireland, Atlantic Bridge, Research Ireland, Net Feasa, Skillnet Ireland, Republic of Work and the Tyndall National Institute. Speakers and featured firms include Teamwork, Keelvar, NeuroBell, Net Feasa and Athena Analytics.
Scaling Irish global potential
The summit comes alongside Scale Ireland’s fifth State of Start-ups Survey, which is gathering views from founders and chief executives on capital availability, AI adoption, pension fund investment in indigenous companies, skills and staffing, regulation, diversity, sustainability and student internships.
The survey results are due to publish to coincide with the Cork event. Last year’s edition drew a record 235 responses, described by the group as the largest of its kind in the Irish tech sector.
Martina Fitzgerald, chief executive of Scale Ireland, said the gathering arrives at an important moment for Irish entrepreneurship.
“Our fifth Regional Start-up Summit is taking place in Cork at a critical time for our sector given the significant technology and geopolitical developments. It is vital that regional innovation and entrepreneurship are prioritised. Now more than ever, we need to promote and support companies around the country to become global leaders.”
Inflection point
Brian Caulfield, chair of Scale Ireland, pointed to founder sentiment on funding and ownership tools.
“Ireland and Europe are at an inflection point, driven by geopolitical and economic uncertainty. We need to double down on innovation and entrepreneurship as drivers of future economic growth. In that context, it’s essential to have the input of founders across the country. We expect that access to capital and supports for employee share ownership will remain key challenges. However, the current environment may well generate new challenges.”
Google returns as a partner for the Cork summit. “We are delighted to partner with Scale Ireland once again for the fifth Regional Start-up Summit in Cork. The role of scale ups in Ireland is crucial, and the opportunity AI presents for them to drive innovation and reach their global potential is immense,” said Vanessa Hartley, vice president for EMEA Large Customer Sales and head of Google in Ireland.
She added that the forum’s timing aligns with Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, which she described as an opportunity to shape Europe’s competitiveness and digital agenda with start-ups and scale ups at the centre.
Importance of regional ecosystems
Enterprise Ireland said regional ecosystems are a foundation for export growth. “Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting ambitious entrepreneurs to start, grow and scale internationally, and we know that strong regional ecosystems are central to that success,” said Carol Gibbons, divisional manager and head of entrepreneurship for Regions and Local Enterprise.
“Start-ups and scaling companies are vital economic drivers in communities across the country, creating high quality jobs and fostering innovation. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support Scale Ireland’s Regional Start-up Summit, which provides an important platform for founders to connect, share insights and engage with the supports available to help them realise their global ambition.”
ISIF framed its role in terms of patient growth capital. “Investing to support Irish businesses to scale is one of the four key themes ISIF pursues, alongside Housing and Enabling Investments, Climate, and Food and Agriculture,” said Brian O’Connor, senior investment director.
“Our investment strategy supports the funding ecosystem by making capital available to firms at all stages of growth, particularly via ISIF’s ability to invest directly into high potential firms. ISIF’s capital supports hundreds of firms across Ireland and the regions and we are a proud supporter of this Summit and its goals to share knowledge and start conversations that help firms unlock their ambitions.”
Scale Ireland describes itself as an independent, not for profit representative body for Irish tech start-ups and scaling companies, with more than 820 members. The organisation’s previous regional summits have been hosted in Cork online in 2022, followed by Galway, Limerick and Athlone.
Event details
Regional Start-up Summit, 13 February, Clayton Hotel, Cork city centre.
The State of Start-ups Survey 2026 remains open in advance of the summit, with publication slated to coincide with the event.
Top image: Brian O’Connor, Senior Investment Director, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund; Martina Fitzgerald, CEO, Scale Ireland; Vanessa Hartley, Vice President, EMEA Large Customer Sales and Head of Google, Ireland; Brian Caulfield, Chair, Scale Ireland; Carol Gibbons, Divisional Manager at Enterprise Ireland
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