Its been a busy month at Furthr — celebrating founders at the Furthr Foundry Finale, spotlighting global innovation at Dublin Tech Summit’s Startup World Cup, and backing high-growth ventures through Prep4Seed.
Furthr was proud to sponsor the Startup World Cup Regional Final at Dublin Tech Summit—an electrifying celebration of global entrepreneurship. In partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures and the Guinness Enterprise Centre, five incredible startups pitched for a chance to compete on the world stage in Silicon Valley. With standout judging and MC support from the Furthr, Furth VC and the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Find out who was crowned the Regional winner below.
10 Startups, 12 Weeks, 1 Unforgettable Investor Day
After 12 weeks of ambition, acceleration, and entrepreneurial grit, the Furthr Foundry Finale took place on Tuesday, May 27th at the Guinness Enterprise Centre! Our 2025 cohort of 10 incredible startups took the stage to pitch their ventures to investors, mentors, and industry leaders. From breakthrough tech to mission-driven innovation, each founder brought their A-game. It’s been an inspiring journey of growth—and the Finale was nothing short of electric. Find out more on the who was crowned 'Most Investable Start-up'
Seven high-growth startups recently completed the 12-week Prep4Seed programme, culminating in an Investor Pitch Day at Enterprise Ireland. Delivered by AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor, and WestBIC, in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, the programme prepares startups for seed investment through masterclasses and tailored mentorship. Participants from diverse sectors pitched to investors, showcasing their readiness to secure funding. This initiative continues to bolster Ireland's startup ecosystem by equipping founders with the tools and confidence needed to attract investment.
The IVCA VenturePulse Q1 2025 survey, conducted in association with William Fry, reveals that Irish SMEs secured over €500 million in venture capital funding during the first quarter of 2025. This marks a significant rebound from the previous year's figures, indicating a positive trend in the Irish startup ecosystem. However, the report also highlights ongoing challenges for smaller firms, particularly those seeking investments under €3 million, underscoring the need for continued support and resources for early-stage startups.
Enterprise Ireland invested €27.5 million in 157 start-ups in 2024—a notable increase from the previous year. Through its HPSU and Pre-Seed Start Fund programmes, the agency strengthened support for innovation across Ireland, with a strong focus on regional development. A significant share of funding went to companies outside Dublin, alongside targeted backing for women-led enterprises and academic spin-outs, reinforcing Ireland’s growing and diverse start-up ecosystem.
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 June 26th at the Guinness Enterprise Centre and attendance is free.
We are thrilled to announce the third webinar in our series, this session will focus on NIS2. The EU’s new cybersecurity directive, NIS2, is already reshaping how corporates assess tech vendors - especially in regulated sectors like finance, healthcare, and digital services. Startups and scaleups may not be directly in scope yet, but if you want to win enterprise deals, you need to understand how NIS2 will influence vendor risk assessments.
.png?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=Newsletter%20header%20furthr%20founders%20(1).png)
