Enterprise Ireland will be the Irish representative at Europe Startup Nations Alliance
Enterprise Ireland is the government agency tasked with supporting the development and growth of Irish companies in global markets. Last year it invested €24m in Irish start-ups, supporting 156 companies at a critical stage of growth and development.
The ambition and capability of Ireland’s start-ups has never been higher and fostering the growth of these companies is a key priority for the Government and Enterprise Ireland, as these resilient and productive businesses contribute enormously to Ireland’s economy through job creation and expenditure.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD, recently confirmed Ireland has joined Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA), a body established to help and empower European start-ups. He described this as being “a signal of Ireland’s commitment to helping our businesses to start and grow in a supportive ecosystem”.
Ireland will have the opportunity to collaborate, share experiences and support our business community
Enterprise Ireland has been nominated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to be the Irish representative at ESNA – a collaborative entity that is dedicated to developing and implementing policies which support start-ups across Europe.
ESNA was established in 2021 off the back of the EU’s Startup Nation Standard of Excellence Declaration to help implement eight best practices for start-up friendly policies.
Ireland, along with 26 EU member states, signed the Declaration in 2021 and is committed to implementing its set of practices which is focused on helping start-ups to scale and grow into innovative SMEs.
Working alongside ESNA’s advisory member, Scale Ireland, and 18 other EU member states, Ireland will have the opportunity to collaborate, share experiences and find new ways to support our business community.
ESNA’s key focus areas are market entry, attracting and retaining talent, innovation and procurement, accessing finance, social inclusion, regulation, diversity and protecting democratic values. Its efforts align with broader EU objectives.
We can build on collaborative efforts to significantly advance start-up friendly policies
Speaking recently as he welcomed Ireland to ESNA, the organisation’s executive director Arthur Jordao, said Ireland will bring “extensive experience in innovative entrepreneurial policies”.
“With Enterprise Ireland now representing Ireland in ESNA we can build on collaborative efforts to significantly advance start-up friendly policies across Europe.
“We are confident Ireland will bring a very unique perspective to the table, supporting the economic resilience of the continent and positioning Europe as a leader in the global start-up ecosystem.”
Enterprise Ireland believes collaboration is hugely important in terms of a supportive start-up ecosystem, and being a part of ESNA means we are now part of a group that will work together to support the development of companies and exports across Europe.
Anna-Marie Turley is Department Manager, Entrepreneurship HPSU Operations at Enterprise Ireland.