The GEC Welcomes Start-Up #1,500!

The Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), Ireland’s largest start-up hub, has reached a significant milestone by welcoming its 1,500th resident company, QuizWizards, a gamified sports tech firm. Founded 25 years ago and located in The Liberties, Dublin, the not-for-profit centre currently hosts 160 start-ups across its five-storey campus, supporting companies until they grow beyond the space.

Four companies – Urban Fox, Mobility Mojo, Move Ahead, and Singular Artists – recently graduated after expanding their teams. Urban Fox plans to grow to 15 employees, while Mobility Mojo aims to double to 20 by 2026.

New entrants, besides QuizWizards, include The Safer Plug Company and Archetype. QuizWizards, founded by Rory McEvoy, creates interactive sports quizzes and has partnered with Leinster Rugby, AIG, and the NCAA, among others, raising €750,000 so far.

The GEC generates around €2 million annually from residents, reinvested into upgrades like improved IT and networking spaces. Centre Director Niamh Collins highlighted the GEC’s role in nurturing Ireland’s next generation of high-growth businesses.

Advise expands into UK market with €1.8m investment

Advise an AI-driven data analytics platform, is expanding into the UK following a €1.8 million investment.

The company plans to hire ten new UK-based employees and aims to double its revenue by the end of 2026.

With clients like Britvic, Kerry, and Tayto, Advise is already serving UK customer G’s Fresh. Co-founder John Phelan highlighted the rising demand for efficient, cost-effective AI solutions and emphasized the platform’s ability to not only make smart recommendations but also explain them.

The expansion marks a significant step in the company's growth strategy.

Irish start-up  Sports Impact Technologies has raised €650,000 to launch a beta version of its behind-the-ear sensor that detects head impacts and potential concussions in real time.

Founded by Eóin Tuohy in 2022 and based at NovaUCD, the company is backed by private investors and Enterprise Ireland.

Beta testing begins this September across various sports, with a full launch planned for 2026.

The goal is to reduce undetected concussions and improve athlete safety and performance.

Irish start-up Glitch, co-founded by Aisling Browne and Kingsley Kelly, is building an AI-driven advertising platform tailored for B2B companies.
It automates and optimises digital ad campaigns, helping SMEs reduce wasted ad spend and improve performance without needing large marketing teams.
The platform adapts in real-time, shifting budgets to what’s working and providing clear, actionable insights. Glitch is in gated beta with clients across Ireland, the UK, US, and Canada, and plans to expand globally.

As global warming intensifies, scientists are exploring solar geoengineering methods to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth, including stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening. While these techniques could help manage climate risks, experts stress they are not substitutes for cutting emissions or carbon removal.
In Ireland, local solutions like enhanced weathering are being explored to absorb CO2 using ground rocks.
Silicate Carbon an Irish start-up, has trialled this approach in Co Wexford, using limestone and crushed concrete to capture CO2 and benefit agriculture.
Challenges include Ireland’s climate, fertiliser use, and the need for regulatory and environmental oversight. Experts agree that both global and local climate interventions must work together to ensure a safer future.

18-year-old Liam Fuller, founder of Irish start-up Source, has raised $1.4m (€1.2m) in pre-seed funding led by Square Peg to build an AI-driven procurement platform for retail.
The platform automates inventory tracking and purchase orders, aiming to cut admin time by up to 80%.
Fuller, a former BT Young Scientist winner, went full-time with Source after gaining attention for making sales calls from a school bathroom.
The platform launches this summer, with investors including TEN13, Stripe CTO David Singleton, and others.
Square Peg praised Fuller’s technical skills and clear vision for AI-powered automation in retail.

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Get Ready for Culture Crush 2025

Culture Crush returns on Wednesday, Nov 26th, 2025 at RIAM, Dublin, with this year’s theme: VOICE.
Expect bold ideas and honest conversations about self-expression, authenticity, and amplifying underrepresented voices.

The event brings together creatives and cultural leaders for a powerful day of dialogue and inspiration.
More details coming soon at culturecrush.ie.

#CultureCrush2025

Pitch Jam will be back on September 25th! 

Join us at Pitch Jam on Thursday, September 25th at the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Dublin 8, for a curated evening showcasing high-potential start-ups backed by Furthr.

Running from 5:30–7:30pm, this event offers investors, founders, and innovation enthusiasts a first look at Ireland’s rising entrepreneurial talent.

Enjoy post-pitch networking, drinks, and nibbles with start-ups and like-minded guests.

Line-up to be announced soon...

Ready to level up? 

Furthr’s Masterclass Series offers founders a deep dive into seven essential elements of becoming investor ready.

Designed for pre-seed and seed-stage startups, the immersive in-person programme takes place at the Guinness Enterprise Centre and provides an accelerator-level experience. Participants complete up to three hours of pre-work—videos, readings, and exercises—before engaging in interactive, peer-challenging masterclasses.

The series helps founders prepare thoroughly before starting Furthr’s one-to-one mentorship support. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs 6 to 12 months away from raising a seed round, whether or not they’ve had pre-seed funding.

The masterclasses run year-round, allowing flexible entry points. By the end, participants gain clear, actionable insights to become investor ready and to pursue Enterprise Ireland iHPSU client status.

Interested founders can contact Furthr to get started.

If you'd like to connect with Furthr and learn more about our services, and maybe even pitch one day, drop us a message at hello@furthr.ie