Enterprise Ireland has been ranked number one in Europe for seed investment and is the second most active investor in seed funding in the world.
The PitchBook ranking of the most active global investors by venture capital deal count saw Enterprise Ireland – which made 200 investments in 2019 – reach the number two slot globally and first in Europe.
The most active global investor, with 285 investments, was 500 Startups, an early-stage VC and seed accelerator based in California.
“We also support a network that facilitates connections between angel investors and early-stage Irish companies that generates significant investment opportunities”
“As the Irish Government’s trade and innovation agency, we are primed to invest in Irish startups, some of the most innovative and dynamic in Europe,” said Leo McAdams, Head of Enterprise Ireland’s Investment Services Division.
“We aim to support companies at all stages of their journey, from very early start-up to seed fund start-up and then through to scaling, with a focus on connecting them with international customers across multiple industries.”
“We not only invest directly in companies, but also invest in venture capital funds so they too can support innovative high-growth Irish companies set to scale internationally. We also support a network that facilitates connections between angel investors and early-stage Irish companies that generates significant investment opportunities,” added McAdams.
Formula for success
At Enterprise Ireland’s recent Start-up Showcase in February, the agency revealed that it had invested a total of €24m in Irish start-ups in 2019 and supported 127 start-up companies.
The government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish companies in global markets, and investment was provided through Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) and Competitive Start Fund (CSF) programmes.
Enterprise Ireland has also launched a new campaign– ‘The Formula for Success’ – which aims to attract ambitious founders, the disruptors of the future and fast-growing export-led early stage companies, to apply for High Potential Start-Up supports. A HPSU is a fast growing, export focused company, often with a need for significant investment. The formula for success centres on matching a founder’s vision and ambition with Enterprise Ireland’s investment, expertise and network to help them succeed.
Written by John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 10 March, 2020
