Top VCs in Ireland: Who They Are and How to Reach Them

Daniel Olmedo Nieto | Co-Founder @ EasyVC | Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe

Raising funding for a startup is never easy, but finding the right people to back your idea can make all the difference. In recent years, Ireland’s venture capital scene has grown quickly—Irish VCs invested over €1.3 billion in startups in 2023 alone, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association. From technology and life sciences to green energy and fintech, Ireland supports a vibrant mix of innovation thanks to both homegrown firms and international funds based here.

If you’re a founder or just curious about where the money flows, knowing who the key venture capital players are in Ireland—and how to approach them—is more important than ever. In this guide, we introduce you to the top Irish VC firms, share tips for getting noticed, and point you toward useful resources to help you along your journey.

What Makes a Venture Capital Firm Stand Out in Ireland?

Overview of Ireland’s VC Ecosystem

Ireland’s venture capital scene has evolved from a tight circle of funds catering to tech enterprises in Dublin to a dynamic landscape, energised by new players and cross-border investors. While global funds have made their mark, local firms distinguish themselves by their proximity to founders—often with deep roots in Ireland’s startup communities and first-hand knowledge of the challenges unique to scaling from this market.

Emerging Trends and Sectors

What sets the leading Irish VCs apart is their ability to spot and champion sectors that align with Ireland’s strengths but have global traction. Areas like fintech, medtech, green energy, and deep tech attract forward-looking funds. Unlike the old “follow Silicon Valley” model, Irish funds have become early supporters of innovations in agtech and climate resilience—sectors shaped by the country’s entrepreneurial and academic networks.

Active vs. Niche Investors

Some Irish VCs are known for prolific deal-making across a spectrum of industries, backing everything from SaaS platforms to consumer marketplaces. Others have carved out a name by going deep in a vertical—think of specialist funds that know the ins and outs of medical device approvals or have a precise eye for B2B SaaS scalability. What makes a VC truly visible is a mix of responsiveness, transparency, and proven ability to open doors to advisory talent or international co-investors.

With a sense of which VCs are shaping Ireland’s investment landscape, let’s explore who’s leading the charge and how you can identify the right partner for your next big step.

List of Top VC Firms in Ireland

Mini-Profiles: Key Irish VC Players

Frontline Ventures is one of the most prominent names in Dublin’s tech scene. With offices in Dublin and London, Frontline focuses on early-stage B2B software startups, backing companies such as Pointy and Workvivo.

ACT Venture Capital is among Ireland’s longest-running VCs, typically investing in high-growth technology startups at the seed and Series A stage. Notable investments include SoapBox Labs and Corlytics.

Delta Partners brings over 25 years of experience and focuses primarily on technology and life sciences. Their diverse portfolio features Manna, the drone delivery startup, and BiancaMed (acquired by ResMed).

Draper Esprit (now Molten Ventures), while headquartered in London, has a significant footprint in Ireland, backing Irish success stories like Movidius and Decawave.

Atlantic Bridge is a global growth equity firm with an Irish base. They invest in deep tech and scale-up companies—think of firms like Swrve, FieldAware, and Movidius.

Elkstone is an angel-led fund with a growing venture arm, supporting tech, food, and health startups. They’ve backed Kitsunu, ProVerum, and Buymie in recent years.

Scale Ireland Fund is a newer entry but is dedicated to supporting early-stage Irish innovation, often with industry partnership backing.

Sector Focus & Typical Investments

Most leading Irish VCs gravitate toward software, deep tech, enterprise SaaS, fintech, and life sciences. Frontline and Delta lean heavily into B2B and SaaS, Atlantic Bridge prefers scale-ups in AI, IoT, and semiconductors, while ACT and Elkstone keep a diversified approach that sees them backing everything from healthtech to agritech.

Investments typically range from €250k at pre-seed to €3-5M at Series A. Some, like Molten Ventures and Atlantic Bridge, can deploy much larger follow-on cheques as companies expand internationally.

How to Approach Each Firm

Every VC has its quirks. Frontline Venture partners are active on social media and frequently attend local tech meetups—warm introductions and concise, data-driven pitches get noticed. ACT Venture Capital prefers referrals from within their network, but attending industry events they sponsor can be a shortcut. Delta Partners values founder tenacity and practical progress, so a well-tested MVP is key. Atlantic Bridge is approachable through introductions from university spin-outs or via portfolio connections. With Elkstone, founders benefit from a narrative that pitches both impact and commercial growth. Scale Ireland Fund is transparent with a formal online application and rapid feedback cycles.

With these insights on who’s who, and where their interests lie, you’re ready to match your startup with the right investors—and soon, we’ll help you navigate the funding landscape based on your company’s stage and needs.

Ready to Connect With Ireland’s Leading VCs?

Mapping the Irish venture landscape is only the first step—real traction comes from making your startup stand out when it matters. Whether you’ve got a napkin sketch or a scaling team, connecting with the right investor could rewrite your company’s story.

The next step? Find out which Irish VCs are funding companies at your stage—and how you can get your pitch in front of them.

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Investment Stages: Who Funds What?

Pre-Seed and Seed Investors

Ideas are fragile at the start, so Ireland’s earliest backers gravitate toward founders with ambition and plans on paper, prototypes, or a touch of early traction. Firms like Dogpatch Labs, Atlantic Bridge’s University Bridge Fund, and HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network) put down the first money as launches are still an experiment. These investors often bring guidance, not just cash, and welcome messy decks over polished revenue figures. If you’re raising pre-seed or seed, expect smaller ticket sizes, rolling application deadlines, and an appetite for riskier bets—with a strong focus on teams and vision.

Series A and Beyond

Once you can show product-market fit and real customer interest, Series A becomes the next milestone. Big names like Frontline Ventures or Delta Partners step in here, seeking evidence that you’re not just building but scaling. With Series A and later rounds, the bar is higher: they want to see month-on-month growth, defensible metrics, and a clear path for blasting onto international markets. These VCs offer more than funding—they open doors to networks, bigger customers, and the next round of global expansion capital.

Specialised & Vertical-Focused VCs

Fintech? Medtech? Climate? Not every firm shakes every founder’s hand. Ireland boasts a cluster of funds with sector-specific mandates: Seroba Life Sciences digs deep into health and biotech, ACT Venture Capital frequently backs software and hardware-heavy startups, while Elkstone nods most at projects with Irish roots and transformative potential. Approaching these VCs isn’t about numbers alone; it’s about fitting their specialist thesis and convincing them your problem is worth solving in their sector.

Knowing which VCs lean in at each stage—and which align with your sector—makes your next move sharper. But securing a meeting or introduction takes more than knowing names; it’s about accessing the right rooms, networks, and communities where deals begin. Let’s explore how founders crack that first conversation.

Tips to Connect With Irish VCs

Networking Events in Ireland

Forget endless cold emails—a handshake in Dublin goes further. Meet VCs in their element at events like Dublin Tech Summit, FutureScope, and Dogpatch Labs meetups. These aren’t just conferences: VCs take part in panels, judge competitions, and mingle at after-hours socials. You’ll find large names and up-and-coming funds gathered around coffee stands and demo booths. Arriving prepared, knowing faces, and having a crisp elevator pitch makes for memorable introductions.

Government and Support Organisations

Enterprise Ireland isn’t just for grant seekers. As one of the world’s most active seed investors, they know nearly every VC in Ireland. Leverage their events, training, and investor introductions. You’ll also find value in groups like Scale Ireland and HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network), which host regular pitching sessions and provide inroads to the funding scene. Tapping these networks is like unlocking a direct line to decision makers.

Mistakes to Avoid When Pitching

Too many founders lead with a slide deck before telling their story. Irish VCs appreciate directness but shy away from hard sells or buzzword-heavy hype. Avoid mass-mailing the same pitch to everyone or dropping unsolicited attachments—VCs in Ireland often discuss deals among themselves and notice careless outreach. Do your research: mention why your sector matches their portfolio, and don’t overlook the value of a warm introduction from someone they trust.

Understanding how to connect is just the start—next, we’ll point you toward resources that can amplify your funding journey across Ireland’s startup landscape.

Useful Resources for Startup Funding in Ireland

Grants, Incubators & Accelerators

If you’re just starting out, Ireland’s landscape of funding opportunities goes well beyond just venture capital. Enterprise Ireland serves as the hub for government grants, offering the High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) programme and Competitive Start Fund (CSF) for ambitious founders. On the university side, NovaUCD (Dublin) and NDRC (Dublin, soon to expand countrywide) supply seed funding as well as focused mentorship. For those ready to accelerate, Dogpatch Labs runs Pre-Accelerator and Accelerator programs, and the Guinness Enterprise Centre is another buzzy spot to scale with dedicated supports.

Angel Networks and Syndicates

Early-stage capital often comes from angel investors. HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network) is the national mainstay, connecting founders to sector-specific angel syndicates across Ireland—including ones focused on medtech, fintech, and regional startups. Bloom Equity and Boole Syndicate (especially for women and underrepresented founders) open more doors for pitches and partnerships.