Some 1,500 jobs will be created by 102 high-potential start-up companies in Ireland in the next three years, said Jobs Minister Richard Bruton, TD. He also revealed the highest number of female-led start-ups to date.
Bruton was revealing the results of the Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-up programme for 2014 which saw 81 new early stage businesses supported under the Competitive Start Fund.
“The companies supported by Enterprise Ireland under its High Potential Start-Ups programme and Competitive Start Funds are key to our plans,” Bruton said.
“These are the new ambitious promoters that will go on to become part of the growing number of internationally trading Irish companies that each year are increasing Irish exports and creating new Irish jobs – with some ultimately developing into the large employer Irish multinationals of the future.
“Today’s announcement that 102 fast-growing companies who we have supported will create 1500 jobs over the next three years is a great boost and further evidence of what is possible in this area.”
Increase in the number of female-led start-ups
As well as this some 43 new female-led start-ups were supported in 2014, the highest number to date, as part of an Enterprise Ireland programme to increase the number of businesses being established by female entrepreneurs, including a dedicated female accelerator and Enterprise Ireland’s first peer-to-peer online networking platform for female led companies.
Enterprise Ireland supported 16 spin-out companies from higher education institutions.
Twelve new food and drinks companies were also supported, the highest number of food and drinks start-ups ever. A key feature of these projects was the high number of female founders involved and their regional spread.
Some 14 overseas start-ups located in Ireland during 2014 from countries like Singapore, India, Switzerland and Germany.
“‘All of these companies here today have the ambition and potential to grow rapidly and become significant exporters,” Kevin McSherry, HPSU manager at Enterprise Ireland said.
“Enterprise Ireland is clear in its ambition and strategy as set out in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs to provide the impetus and supports that these companies need to realise their full potential and achieve significant scale.”
Start-ups image via Shutterstock
