irish owned tech companies
Welcome to the vibrant world of Irish innovation, where groundbreaking ideas and entrepreneurial spirit converge to create some of the most promising startups in the global landscape. In this dynamic landscape, Ireland has become a hotbed for innovation, nurturing a diverse range of startups that span industries from technology to healthcare, and beyond.
As we embark on a journey to discover the best Ireland startups to watch, join us in exploring the stories of trailblazing companies that are reshaping the future. From cutting-edge technologies to sustainable solutions, these startups embody the resilience and ingenuity that define Ireland’s startup ecosystem.
Get ready to be inspired by the creativity, passion, and disruptive potential of these emerging Irish enterprises. Whether you’re an investor seeking the next big opportunity or simply intrigued by the forefront of innovation, our spotlight on the best Ireland startups will introduce you to the visionaries shaping tomorrow’s success stories.
Best Ireland Startups
1. Spectrum.Life:
Embarking on its mission to transform mental health and well-being access in 2019, Spectrum.Life, based in Dublin, secured €5 million in funding. Offering a comprehensive suite of services from coaching to therapy, the platform caters to both individuals and corporate clients. Spectrum.Life emphasizes prevention and early intervention, combining technology with personalized care to make mental health support more inclusive and readily available.
2. Gazelle Wind Power:
Dublin-based Gazelle Wind Power, founded in 2020 and securing approximately €18.6 million, is a green-tech pioneer. Specializing in innovative floating platforms for offshore wind turbines, the company aims to harness the power of stronger, more consistent offshore winds, thereby increasing efficiency and energy yield. Gazelle Wind Power’s solutions contribute significantly to the global transition towards clean energy, addressing the pressing challenge of climate change.
3. Envetec:
Established in 2021 with a focus on green technology and backed by €10 million in funding, Envetec is transforming the treatment of biohazardous waste. The technology aims to render hazardous laboratory waste harmless at the point of generation, aligning with carbon neutrality goals. Envetec’s innovative approach sets a new sustainability benchmark in waste treatment, providing essential services to research facilities and hospitals.
4. Wayflyer:
In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, Wayflyer emerges as a beacon, offering vital funding and groundbreaking marketing analytics to online businesses. Since its establishment in 2019, Wayflyer has rapidly become indispensable, securing an impressive $1.9 billion in funding. By equipping merchants with powerful analytical tools, Wayflyer enables data-driven decision-making, enhancing marketing efficiency and driving sustainable growth. Its unique capital solutions provide flexibility and scalability, tailored to the specific needs of each partnered e-commerce platform, with its international expansion reflecting global confidence in their innovative financial offerings.
5. Fonoa:
Founded in Dublin in 2019, Fonoa is revolutionizing tax compliance for the digital economy. With an impressive €85 million in investment, Fonoa’s innovative tax automation platform seamlessly integrates with existing systems. Providing real-time tax calculations, reporting, and filings, Fonoa empowers companies to effortlessly scale internationally while navigating complex tax landscapes. The platform’s automation ensures compliance and operational efficiency, making it a game-changer for internet companies worldwide.
6. Vaultree:
Hailing from Cork and established in 2020, Vaultree is reshaping data security with its next-generation Encryption-as-a-Service. Backed by €16.1 million in funding, Vaultree’s solution allows businesses to process encrypted data without decrypting it, ensuring data protection and privacy compliance. Positioned as an industry standard, Vaultree’s technology offers a robust defense against data breaches, providing peace of mind in an era where data security is of paramount importance.
7. The Naked Collective:
Since its inception in Kildare in 2019, The Naked Collective has brought a fresh perspective to beverages. With €12.4 million in funding, they specialize in crafting plant-based drinks for health-conscious consumers with a focus on sustainability. More than just beverages, their products represent a lifestyle choice for those seeking wellness without compromising the environment. The Naked Collective aims to fill market gaps with functional beverages, backed by ethical sourcing and production practices.
8. Valid8Me:
Launched in 2021, Valid8Me is at the forefront of regulatory technology with its €12.5 million funded platform. This Cork-based innovation simplifies the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) process, providing secure, efficient identity verification and compliance solutions. Serving as a bridge between individuals and corporations, Valid8Me streamlines the exchange and management of sensitive personal data, ensuring regulatory requirements are met securely and efficiently.
9. Zipp Mobility:
Founded in 2019 and based in Dublin, Zipp Mobility has made strides in urban transport with €8.2 million in funding. The startup offers shared e-scooter services, emphasizing community and sustainability. Through its partnership with FREE NOW, Zipp Mobility demonstrates a commitment to integrated, environmentally-friendly transport options, contributing to reduced congestion and carbon emissions for a greener, smarter city landscape.
10. Evervault:
Launched in Dublin in 2018 and supported by €19 million in funding, Evervault is a developer-centric encryption company. Providing tools to easily encrypt data, Evervault aims to simplify compliance complexity for tech companies handling sensitive user information. By ensuring data remains secure throughout its lifecycle, Evervault is paving the way for a future where privacy and security are integral components of all digital products.
11. Atturos:
In the realm of biotechnology, Atturos, a spin-out from University College Dublin (UCD), has seamlessly fused data science and machine learning analytics with proteomics, revolutionizing the detection of disease biomarkers in blood samples. Founded by Prof Stephen Pennington and led by CEO Robert Perryman, this research-based startup has dedicated laboratories at UCD’s Conway Institute.
Atturos specializes in providing highly specific and personalized diagnostic information, boasting an advanced pipeline of blood tests catering to various conditions. With a commitment to harnessing the power of proteomics, Atturos stands at the forefront of innovative healthcare solutions.
12. CergenX:
Cork-based startup CergenX is on a mission to revolutionize newborn brain health assessment by utilizing a vast databank of baby brainwaves and cutting-edge AI technology. Founded by Jason Mowles, Geraldine Boylan, and Sean Griffin, CergenX seeks to make testing of all newborns not only possible but effective in evaluating brain health.
The driving force behind this UCC spin-out is co-founder Geraldine Boylan, a professor of neonatal physiology and co-founder and director of the Infant research center. With a commitment to advancing healthcare for newborns, CergenX is poised to redefine the landscape of neonatal care.
13. ChektAhora:
In a unique entry on this list, ChektAhora stands out as the only startup whose primary services are not based in Ireland or Europe. Founded in 2018 by former winner of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Blaine Doyle and Rodrigo Cervantes, ChektAhora is a full-stack healthcare company based in Mexico.
This innovative startup offers at-home testing, treatments, and vaccination services primarily in the South and Central American market. Having raised €2.5 million in funding, ChektAhora’s global reach positions it as a transformative force in the healthcare industry.
14. Coalescent Mobile Robotics:
Irish-led company Coalescent Mobile Robotics, though not based in Ireland, is making waves in the retail industry by developing robots that reduce workload and address labor shortages. Founded by Clionadh Martin, who serves as both CEO and CTO, this Danish-based startup aims to be the go-to robotics technology for retail.
With clients like Salling Group, Denmark’s largest retailer, deploying its mobile robots, Coalescent Mobile Robotics is poised for success. Having closed a pre-seed round of €1.7 million in October, the startup is on the path to transforming retail operations globally.
15. Cotter Agritech:
Brothers Jack and Nick Cotter founded Cotter Agritech with a mission to revolutionize agriculture through patented hardware and software. This Limerick-based startup enables farmers to precisely target animals with antiparasitic drugs, reducing drug use by up to 50% and preventing drug resistance.
Winning the Engineers Ireland Student Innovator of The Year Award in 2019, and named the best agri-engineering startup at the 2019 Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards, Cotter Agritech is at the forefront of sustainable and efficient farming practices.
16. Danalto:
Trinity spin-out Danalto, established in 2017, promises highly accurate global positioning for organizations to track assets anywhere. Co-founder Albert Baker revealed that the startup uses software to make “every IoT device reachable and locatable.” This tracking technology has applications across logistics, supply chains, healthcare, and industries like oil, gas, and mining.
In 2021, Danalto’s positioning intelligence gained recognition from the European Space Agency, securing a contract to work on cost-efficient, low-infrastructure, indoor location technologies.
17. HoloToyz:
HoloToyz, founded by CEO Kate Scott and Sales Director Declan Fahy, is on a mission to enhance children’s play and learning experiences through augmented reality. The startup combines physical products like stickers, tattoos, books, and wall decals with an app that incorporates state-of-the-art 3D animations and graphics.
With major licensing agreements with Nickelodeon and Sega in 2021, HoloToyz is making strides in creating a safe and innovative augmented reality environment for children, bridging the gap between digital and physical play.
18. ICS Medical Devices:
Based on Ireland’s medtech hub along the west coast, ICS Medical Devices provides design, prototyping, and manufacturing of catheter shafts for minimally invasive medicine. Founded by Seamus Fahey, the startup’s expansion added general manufacturing space and cleanroom capacity, highlighting its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in medicine.
ICS Medical Devices plays a crucial role in advancing minimally invasive therapies, offering innovative solutions that replace traditional, time-consuming medical procedures with efficient and precise alternatives.
19. Konversational:
Founded in 2020 by Richard Guy and John Gilleran, Konversational is on a mission to become the ‘go-to’ expert for customer workflow in Ireland and the UK. Based in Dublin, the startup supports organizations in their digital transformation strategies, extending services beyond the customer contact center. With clients like Dublin-headquartered IT firm Ergo, Konversational is becoming a key player in reshaping customer engagement and workflow strategies.
20. Kwayga:
Launched in 2021 and headquartered in Cork, Kwayga is a subscription-based service connecting buyers and suppliers in Europe’s food and beverage sector. CEO Martin Fitzgerald likens the startup to a 24/7 trade show, offering verification processes and a messaging center to overcome language barriers.
With members from 37 countries and a freemium entry-level subscription, Kwayga is facilitating communication and collaboration in the food industry, enhancing trade relationships across borders.
21. Legitimate:
Founded in Belfast in 2020, Legitimate is on a mission to build a trustworthy content-sharing platform by separating fact from fiction in news. Co-founded by Caoimhe Donnelly and her husband Gerard, Legitimate employs technologies to fight fake news, fake profiles, and disinformation online. Focusing on verifying sources, Legitimate aims to create the largest community of journalists and politicians online, fostering trust in digital content.
22. Liltoda:
University College Cork spin-out Liltoda is transforming how children under three are assessed on their attention and problem-solving abilities. Founded by Prof Deirdre Murray, the startup has developed a gamified learning assessment tool based on years of research. Using tablet-based touchscreen tasks, Liltoda screens for early learning delay and builds a ‘cognitive profile’ for each child, aiming to revolutionize early childhood development assessments.
23. Nua Surgical:
Galway-based medtech startup Nua Surgical is making one of the world’s most common surgeries, C-sections, safer and easier. The SteriCision device, developed by CEO Barry McCann, provides hands-free unobstructed access to the uterus during surgery, replacing outdated tools and extra assistants. Nua Surgical’s innovation addresses crucial aspects of obstetrics and gynecology, demonstrating a commitment to improving healthcare procedures.
24. Outmin:
Founded in 2020, Outmin is dedicated to making starting and running a small business as easy as possible. Headquartered in Dogpatch Labs, the startup offers a combination of software and a team of finance professionals to provide bookkeeping, accounting, finance, and tax services to small businesses in Ireland and the UK. Outmin, founded by David Kelleher, Ross Hunt, and Conor Ryan, has quickly grown, with plans to expand into Canada.
25. PlasmaBound:
UCD spin-out PlasmaBound is on a mission to create a more sustainable and carbon-reduced future by developing technology that helps composite materials lose weight. Founded in 2017 by Nick, Alan Barry, and Xavier Montibert, PlasmaBound’s technology, backed by seven years of development, has gained recognition. The startup recently won a competition to collaborate with Hyundai and Kia on reaching their innovation goals, showcasing its potential impact on industries seeking sustainable materials.
In conclusion, these innovative Irish startups are reshaping industries and driving forward advancements in technology, healthcare, agriculture, and more. As these startups continue to grow and make waves both locally and globally, they exemplify Ireland’s prowess in fostering cutting-edge technology, driving economic growth, and addressing critical challenges across various sectors. The future looks promising for these trailblazing companies as they continue to push boundaries and contribute to positive change in their respective fields.