Furthrs Funding & Scaling event returns in May

Furthr’s Funding & Scaling Series is back on May 14th, bringing together Ireland’s most ambitious startups, investors, and industry leaders for a morning of insight, inspiration, and real experiences. Whether you're looking to secure funding, scale your business, or connect with key players in the ecosystem, this event is your gateway to growth. The events speaker line-up already includes Will Parker (Config LS & Safefood 360), Johnny Dunne (Customs Window), and Alan Merriman (Elkstone)—with more to be announced. Don’t miss your chance to secure your seat in the audience.

NovaUCD-based Furthr client Assiduous has secured €1 million in a recent funding round. The start-up, founded by Fergal Meegan and Barry Murphy,  is launching a corporate finance autopilot—a virtual SaaS solution—that leverages AI to bridge the gap between business owners and capital markets. This oversubscribed funding round was supported by private investors and Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up programme.

Furthr VC portfolio company Klearcom and Furthr client Learnupon have been shortlisted for the 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year (EoY) awards, highlighting their significant contributions to Ireland's tech sector. Klearcom, an AI-driven IVR testing company based in Waterford, and LearnUpon, a leading learning management system provider, are among 24 companies recognised this year. Collectively, these finalists generate over €1 billion in annual revenue and employ more than 4,000 people.

Sports Impact Technologies, a Furthr client, has secured 3rd place in the prestigious $200K UMassM2D2 Challenge at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Chosen from hundreds of global applicants, they were one of only 15 finalists—and one of just two Irish companies in the spotlight. Their innovative wearable, which detects head impacts in real time, impressed a global panel of MedTech experts and earned them in-kind support from both Mintz and bene : studio.

Anna Carmody, founder of Little Red Edu and a Furthr client, has published Irish Startup Navigator, a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. Drawing from her own journey of launching a business at 24 from her parents' kitchen table, Anna offers hard-won insights to help others navigate the challenges of starting up in Ireland. Available for just €10, this eBook is a valuable resource for anyone looking to turn their business ideas into reality.

​Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) has announced its upcoming HiHI.Ai Call 2025, a national competition aimed at identifying and supporting AI-driven innovations that can enhance patient care and operational efficiency within the Irish healthcare system. Open to both market-ready and in-development solutions, the initiative offers selected applicants the opportunity to pilot their technologies and receive critical feedback in real-world healthcare settings. Full application details will be released soon.

The European Commission has launched the AI Pact, a voluntary initiative designed to help organisations prepare for the forthcoming AI Act, which introduces comprehensive regulations for artificial intelligence across the EU. Structured around two key pillars, the AI Pact fosters a collaborative network for sharing best practices and offers a framework for companies to make early, voluntary pledges toward compliance. Participation is open to all stakeholders, providing a proactive pathway to align with Europe's evolving AI regulatory landscape. 

Pitch Jam is a unique opportunity for Furthr-supported startups to showcase their pitch skills before a live audience of investors, industry experts, and fellow entrepreneurs. This event offers startups a relaxed yet professional platform to present their business ideas, gain valuable feedback, and connect with potential backers. The event takes place on May 1st and attendance is free. 

A one-day pre-accelerator workshop to help ambitious founders get started on the right path and uncover the fundamentals of the entrepreneurial journey. This is an interactive and practical, insightful workshop led by our experienced Furthr entrepreneurial consultants. The workshop takes place on May 22nd and places are limited, so early registration is advised. 

We’ve launched a brand-new webinar series, and we kicked it off today with top SaaS sales pro, Ross Keating, Founder of The Lennox Academy. The next webinar takes place on May 27th and explores 'Recruiting Key Resources for your Start-up' with Green Gem. The webinar is free to attend and offers real-world strategies, actionable tips and a live Q&A with the speaker.