Harnessing global and technological change while boosting the potential of Irish start-ups and scaling businesses will be the key focus of the upcoming Regional Start-up Summit in Athlone in March.
With around 800 members, Scale Ireland has emerged as the major voice of the Irish start-up and scaling ecosystem and the views and feelings of founders are to be gathered in the fourth State of Start-ups Survey 2025 which will be published at the time of the Summit.
There are currently more than 2,000 indigenous tech start-up and scaling companies, employing more than 45,000 people in Ireland. For each job in a start-up, five more are created in the wider economy.
“We need to ensure the indigenous tech sector is further supported as a driver of our future economic growth”
A record 340 CEOs/Founders responded to last year’s survey – making it the biggest of its kind for the Irish tech sector. This year’s survey also focuses on diversity, increasing awareness of sustainability and student internships. It will publish the survey’s results to coincide with the Regional Start-up Summit.
Prioritising entrepreneurship
“Our fourth Regional Start-up Summit is very timely with the formation of a new Government,” the CEO of Scale Ireland Martina Fitzgerald explained.
“Given the significant global changes taking place, the new Government needs to ensure that regional innovation and entrepreneurship are prioritised. We need to ensure the indigenous tech sector is further supported as a driver of our future economic growth.”
The Summit will take place with the support of Google, along with Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), Enterprise Ireland, Bord na Móna, Atlantic Bridge, Research Ireland and Technological University of the Shannon
The event will feature regional-based start-ups and scaling companies including Zinkworks, Mersus Technologies, GreyScout, IDASO and Scopey.
In just five years Scale Ireland has grown to become the largest representative organisation for the Irish tech sector.
“It is essential that we get the feedback of founders across the country on the key issues and challenges that they are facing,” said Scale Ireland chair Brian Caulfield.
“Our Regional Start-up Summit and State of Start-up Survey will ensure that there is a greater understanding of the potential of the sector, as well as the challenges facing entrepreneurs. Given the current environment, we have also included further questions on AI this year, while access to capital is expected to remain a key concern as well as better supports for employee share ownership”.
Scale Ireland is collaborating on the Summit with Dr Liam Brown, Vice President, Research, Development and Innovation and his team at The Technological University of the Shannon.
“The Regional Start-up Summit is an important event to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing this sector in Ireland,” said Vanessa Hartley, head of Google in Ireland.
“We know that artificial intelligence has the potential to drive transformative economic growth, with generative AI alone projected to contribute up to €45bn to Ireland’s GDP over the next decade. Google is committed to supporting Ireland’s thriving start-up ecosystem as it harnesses the power of AI to create jobs, foster innovation, and strengthen communities. I also encourage founders to contribute to the State of Start-ups Survey 2025 to share their insights and ensure their views are part of this important conversation.”
Nick Ashmore, Director, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), said that helping Irish businesses to achieve scale is a major area of focus for ISIF – with scaling indigenous businesses one of the four key investment themes it pursues, alongside climate, housing and enabling investments and food and agriculture.
“Our investment strategy aims to support businesses throughout Ireland and the regions to grow at home, create and sustain more jobs whilst targeting global markets. ISIF is a proud supporter of this Summit which is an important event in the calendar year for Irish Start-ups to tap into the sector, share knowledge and perhaps start conversations that will enable their ambitions. We look forward to attending in Athlone to continue to support Irish businesses in their growth journey.”
Indigenous businesses can be the primary driver of the Irish economy, said Carol Gibbons, head of Entrepreneurship at Enterprise Ireland.
“These businesses are economic pillars in communities around the country, and pivotal to this is a strong ecosystem which fosters the development of start-ups and early-stage companies. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support Scale Ireland’s fourth Regional Start-Up Summit as it brings entrepreneurs together to network and engage, and learn more about the opportunities and supports available for them on their journey.”
Main image at top: Elaine Negi, Head of Communications & Engagement, Bord na Móna; Carol Gibbons, Head of Entrepreneurship, Regions & Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland; Vanessa Hartley, VP, Head of Google, Ireland; Nick Ashmore, Director, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund; Martina Fitzgerald, CEO, Scale Ireland; and Brian Caulfield, Chair, Scale Ireland
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