Start-Ups
Business minister Emer Higgins, speaking at the event, said her job is to try and make it easier for new companies to succeed
Ireland was hailed as the “perfect location” for start-up companies to prosper and grow, at an event with business leaders that celebrated the country’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Marking the publication this weekend of the Business Post/Enterprise Ireland’s Hot 100 Start Ups, delegates were told companies have the tools they need to flourish here.
Bobby Healy, founder of Manna Drone Delivery and serial software innovator, during a panel discussion, moderated by Business Post technology editor Charlie Taylor, spoke of the value he and his company derived from collaboration with Enterprise Ireland.
The Hot 100 Start Ups list features companies from Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Monaghan and abroad.
The highest profile inclusion is Affinity EV, based in Ballinasloe, Co Galway. The start-up, which provides a link between EV makers and energy companies, has secured a $40 million (€36 million) contract with Qmerit, a leading charging infrastructure provider.
Gianni Matera of Growing Capital, Anna-Marie Turley, head of entrepreneurship at Enterprise Ireland, Ruairi Dooley co-founder of BiaSol, Bobby Healy chief executive of Manna Drones and Criona Turley co-Founder of Capella. Picture: Maura Hickey.
Standouts
Other high-profile entries on the list include a Dublin-based business, Positive Carbon, that uses high-tech sensors to track, trace and eliminate food waste. Last year the company, founded by Aisling and Mark Kirwan, raised €2.3 million in funding.
The Hot 100 list also includes Sisterly, another Dublin-based business, which raised €2 million earlier this year.
Founded by Aoife Matthews, Jennifer O’Connell and Louise O’Riordan, it has developed a range of supplements specifically tailored to women.
Dublin has the most entries on the list amongst counties with 39, followed by Cork with 10 and Galway with eight.
Among the standouts from Cork were Lia Eyecare, which has developed a technology to treat dry eye disease, and MyGug, which has developed a device used to convert bio-waste into energy.
In total 19 counties are represented on the list with several, including Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Meath and Monaghan having multiple entries.
Minister of state for business Emer Higgins. Picture: Maura Hickey.
Entrepreneurship
Launching the event, Business Post editor Daniel McConnell said Ireland has long been a fertile ground for innovation, entrepreneurship, and bold thinking, but now more than ever, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the next generation of game-changers.
“The Business Post’s Hot 100 Start-Ups supplement celebrates the energy, creativity, and resilience of Ireland’s emerging businesses.
“These companies are not just shaping industries—they are fuelling economic growth, creating jobs, and transforming local communities,” he said.
These are companies like Mayo-based payroll software business Payslip, started by Fidelma McGuirk, which has to date raised €12.4 million. Or, cloud software business Greyscout which raised €3.5 million in seed funding last year.
“These companies are among the greatest in fresh thinking and dynamic business leadership on display here in Ireland,” he added.
Speaking at the event, minister for business, retail and trade, Emer Higgins, said the Business Post Hot 100 Start-Ups for 2024 is about celebrating success, recognising innovators and inspiring entrepreneurs.
“The start-up environment in Ireland is in a strong place and this government working with Enterprise Ireland is here to fortify that ecosystem, ensuring it is both connected and increasingly self-sufficient.
“My congratulations to the 100 companies for all your hard work and dedication to get your business to this point and the important part you’ve played in making the start-up ecosystem in Ireland so vibrant,” she said.
Kevin Sherry, executive director at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to partner with the Business Post to celebrate some of the most exciting young start-ups in the country.
“The companies profiled are spread across a range of sectors including Food, ICT, Lifesciences and Financial Services.
“The Hot 100 Start-Ups for 2024 demonstrates the strong pipeline of promising, innovative and export-focused entrepreneurs located throughout the country and Enterprise Ireland is proud to be behind many of these businesses on their start-up journey.
“Our goal is to help drive the success of the most forward-thinking Irish companies, enabling start-ups to thrive and influence the future of global business,” he added.