Global venture capital authority PitchBook has ranked Enterprise Ireland first in terms of top investors in global and European funding.
Enterprise Ireland has maintained its top European ranking by PitchBook but has also been propelled to No 1 globally by PitchBook, which ranks the most active global investors by VC deal count.
The PitchBook platform is used by close to 100,000 venture capital, private equity, angel investors and investment professionals for data, research and technology profiles of global start-ups and covers the private capital markets, including venture capital and private equity.
“It is a testament to the important role that Enterprise Ireland investments play in supporting the expansion of new and established Irish companies”
It emerged this week (23 February) that Enterprise Ireland more than doubled its investment in 125 Irish start-up companies to €48m in 2020 with 50pc of the investment going into start-ups located outside Dublin.
While the total number of start-ups supported last year almost matched 2019 figures (127 in 2019), the 2020 levels of investment in innovative High Potential Start-ups (HPSUs) was boosted by the Covid-19 Sustaining Enterprise Fund and an increase in follow-on investments to help HPSUs scale internationally.
An evolving portfolio
Key sectors that Enterprise Ireland invested in in 2020 included fintech, cybersecurity, digital health and agri-tech.
The investment in 2020 included 80 HPSUs. 43 Competitive Start Fund investments and 38 women-led start-up companies, which accounted for 23pc of companies backed.
“We are delighted to be ranked first globally by PitchBook and to take our place as the top VC investor worldwide according to this index,” said Leo McAdam, head of Investment Services at Enterprise Ireland.
“It is a testament to the important role that Enterprise Ireland investments play in supporting the expansion of new and established Irish companies, resulting in increased exports and employment.”
Main image at top: The divisional manager in charge of HPSUs Jenny Melia speaking at the Enterprise Ireland Start-up Showcase this week
By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 25 February 2021
