Ireland aims to become the number one destination for high-impact startups by improving alignment among key stakeholders like research centers and investors to create a fertile startup ecosystem. In 2014, Enterprise Ireland worked with over 180 new startups and provided funding to 12 entrepreneur development programs. Ireland has more venture funding available per capita than any other European country, with over €800 million available from seed and venture capital firms. Ireland also ranks highly in worldwide studies on the availability of skilled labor and its attractiveness as a place to do business.

1. Irelands Startup
EcoSystems

2. — To make Ireland the No.1 destination for high impact
startups.
— Creating a fertile ecosystem that will attract startups who
want rapid growth in their sector.
— Improving alignment amongst these key stakeholders:
• Research Centres
• Tech Transfer Offices
• Incubation/Co Working Space
• Commercial Attaches at
Embassies
• Professional Service Providers
• Innovation Managers
• Investors
• State Enterprise Boards
• Country Networks/
Chambers
• Mentors/Angel Investors
• The Diaspora

4. — During 2014, Enterprise Ireland (EI) worked with 102
new high potential start up (HPSU) companies and 81
early stage businesses through the Competitive Start
Funds to help them to achieve international potential.
— Also in 2014, EI funded 12 New Frontiers programmes,
Ireland’s national entrepreneur development
programme.
— 16 spin-out companies from Higher Education Institutes
in 2014 to become HPSUs – 11 HPSU investments and 5
CSF investments.

7. The DATA
— Per capita Ireland has more venture funding than in any
other country in Europe.
— Over €800M is available through seed, venture and angel
capital firms.
— According to World Bank figures, Ireland is ranked
fourth in the world for the availability of skilled labour
and openness to new ideas; sixth for labour
productivity; seventh for the availability of financial
skills; and seventh for the flexibility and adaptability of
people

8. The DATA
— The majority of the world’s largest technology companies
have significant HQ operations in Ireland:
— Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Microsoft and Zynga
— Citibank, Bank of America and BNP Paribas
— Havok, BigFish Games and Activision Blizzard
— Merck, Boston Scientific, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer
— This concentration of world-leading organisations has
positioned Ireland as a majorEuropean business centre in turn
attracting some of the world’s most talented people.

9. The DATA
— Forbes rated Ireland Best in Europe for doing business
— The World Bank’s ranks
— Ireland 8th among OECD countries for ‘Ease of doing
business’;
— Ireland 4th in World for ‘Starting a Business’ - the highest
of any European country

10. The DATA