Furthrs Annual Review and Economic Impact Report

On February 27th, Furthr hosted an invite-only event for key stakeholders to launch our Annual Review and our Economic Impact Report, which examined our work and its impact on the Irish economy over the 2022-2024 period. In this period, Furthr assisted 583 entrepreneurs, intensely working with 207 founders of early-stage businesses. This report explores the impact our support had on these businesses and the ecosystem as whole.

Furthr recognised as one of Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs for second year in a row

Furthr is delighted to feature for the 2^nd year running in the Financial Times and Statista Top 150 Leading Startup Hubs in Europe 2025 along with 4 other Irish hubs - Dogpatch Labs, Republic of Work, Catalyst and NovaUCD.

Furthr client Harcourt Technologies has completed construction on Ireland's first 3D printed homes in Dundalk. The project began last year in a partnership between Louth County Council, Harcourt Technology and Roadstone. The 3D printing process was completed in just 12 days, with the machine operating on-site for a total of 18 days, resulting in a construction timeline 60% faster than traditional methods and an overall project delivery time reduced by 35%.

Loretta Dignam, CEO of The Menopause Hub and a Furthr client, has been featured in the Forbes 50 Over 50 Global List, which honours women over 50 making a significant impact across various industries. She is recognised for establishing Ireland's first dedicated menopause clinic, providing access to consultants who prescribe HRT and non-hormonal treatments. Additionally, she has been acknowledged for her advocacy in urging the Irish government to offer free HRT for those experiencing menopause.

Furthr clients Anyscor and Gigi Supplements have been named finalists in The Fingal Enterprise Awards 2025. The awards showcase the achievements of small businesses in the region. Organised by the Local Enterprise Office Fingal, it's part of a nationwide contest where winners from each of the 31 LEOs compete for national honours. The finalists will present their businesses during Local Enterprise Week in March 2025, with the overall winner representing Fingal at the National Enterprise Awards in May 2025.

TrojanTrack, founded by Stephen O'Dwyer, uses AI and pose estimation technology to detect early signs of lameness in horses through smartphone video. Based at the Irish National Stud, they aim to provide trainers with actionable insights to enhance horse welfare. After participating in programmes like New Frontiers and the UCD Accelerator, they are preparing to launch the UK and Ireland and are gearing up for a €1 million seed funding round to support its growth ambitions. 

With Everly partners with Visa to help transform life event financial planning

Furthr client, With Everly, a female-founded fintech company is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, to deliver an innovative financial life event planning platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for With Everly, expanding its capabilities beyond event planning to include comprehensive financial solutions.

Cultural and Creative Industries Skillnet have released new improvements they have made to their Sustainability Toolkit. In the updated toolkit, readers can hope to find improved navigation, a new glossary of terms and access to their webinar on how to use the toolkit. The Sustainability Toolkit aims to support users' journeys toward sustainable practices in their organisations and creative work.

The latest VenturePulse report from the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) reveals that Irish tech firms secured a record €1.48 billion in venture capital funding in 2024. However, while overall investment reached new heights, the number of deals valued below €5 million declined. The final quarter of the year saw strong activity among small and medium-sized technology enterprises, with investments peaking at €535 million.

Furthr is delighted to work with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, who have extended their call to Furthr client alumni in the social entrepreneurship space to participate in their Investor Readiness Pathway programme specifically designed for Social Entrepreneurs looking to raise investment. Applictions close on March 21st and more details can be found at the link below.

To incentivise fellow Enterprise Ireland client companies to invest in a robust cybersecurity posture, Hibernia Venture Labs is offering a cost neutral approach to the EI Cyber Security Review Grant. EI clients can apply for this grant, claiming 80% (€2400) back for a detailed security review and actionable roadmap, worth €3000. HVL is the only approved provider to offer a credit for the remaining €600 to redeem against their consultancy services, for companies who choose HVL's world-class cyber security team to deliver their review. 

Ready, Set, Go Furthr applications are open for March

Ready, Set, Go Furthr is a one-day interactive workshop designed for early-stage founders. The workshop is scheduled to take place on March 13th, and registrations are currently open. 

Dublin Tech Summit has unveiled its keynote speakers for Ireland’s premiere tech event this May. The summit will bring together global industry leaders to explore critical topics such as AI, quantum computing, the climate crisis, and defense. This year’s event will be part of the inaugural Dublin Tech Week, a week-long celebration of innovation, collaboration, and community from May 23 to 30. Among the confirmed keynote speakers are Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI, and UK serial entrepreneur, changemaker, and digital broadcaster Grace Beverley.

Pitch Perfect is a highlight of Local Enterprise Week in Dublin, featuring six early-stage start-ups pitching live to a judging panel and an audience of 300 at TU Dublin's Concert Hall. The event, scheduled for March 7, 2025, offers a first prize of €5,000 and a year of free office space at one of TU Dublin's campuses. Co-sponsored by TU Dublin, Dublin's Local Enterprise Offices, and Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers, the competition seeks innovative start-ups from the region. Interested participants must register by February 10, 2025, and submit application videos by February 12, 2025. 

Techstars and CryptoMondays are hosting their inaugural event March 10. This gathering aims to unite the Techstars community with Ireland's Web3 and crypto enthusiasts for an evening of networking, collaboration, and insightful discussions. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, meet the Techstars Web3 Class of 2025, and learn about Techstars' initiatives in Ireland.