Start-ups pitch for €3.9 million at Prep4Seed Investor Day

Eleven high-growth Irish startups pitched for a combined €3.9 million in funding at the latest Prep4Seed Investor Day, marking the culmination of the national 12-week investor-readiness programme delivered by the Irish BICs (AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor BIC and WestBIC) in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland. Among the standout companies was Furthr client Fire&5th, which took home the Best Pitch Award for its compelling presentation, highlighting the strength of Ireland’s emerging startup ecosystem and the impact of targeted founder support. Read more.

Colata, a Furthr client developing AI-driven sports analytics technology, is preparing for its next stage of growth with plans to raise €1 million in seed funding later this year. The Dublin-based SportTech startup is leveraging artificial intelligence to deliver deeper performance insights for athletes and teams, highlighting the continued momentum of Ireland’s thriving AI and sports innovation ecosystem. Read more

Trustap, a Furthr VC investee company, has secured $10 million in new funding to accelerate product development, expand its team, and launch Trustap Index, a new platform designed to make marketplace listings discoverable and transactable by AI shopping agents. The Cork-based marketplace payment specialist is leading the charge into the future of AI-driven commerce. Read more 

WrxFlo, a Furthr VC investee company, has been recognised by Silicon Republic as one of seven Irish start-ups transforming the manufacturing floor.  By replacing legacy paper and spreadsheet processes with connected, data-driven systems, this Limerick-based company gives manufacturers and logistics operators the real-time insights they need to boost efficiency. Read more

Furthr client Kowroo has been featured in The Irish Times for its AI-powered people risk management platform, designed to help organisations keep travelling employees safe in real time. Founded by former Garda sergeant Dr Sheelagh Brady, the Kildare-based company combines AI with live global intelligence to deliver personalised risk assessments and support for workers operating in uncertain environments. With a commercial launch planned this year, Kowroo is helping redefine how organisations approach safety, resilience and duty of care. Read more

The Government has announced a new €40m call under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF), with applications opening on 1 October. Administered by Enterprise Ireland, the fund supports ambitious collaborative R&D projects with strong commercial potential, helping companies turn breakthrough technologies into globally competitive products and services. Since 2018, DTIF has backed 131 projects across areas including AI, medtech and quantum technologies, reinforcing Ireland’s position as a hub for innovation. Read more

Minister James Lawless has announced the expansion of the Skillnet Innovation Exchange into Co. Meath, delivered in partnership with The Mill Enterprise Hub. The move extends the national platform connecting innovative SMEs with large corporates seeking digital solutions, opening up new commercial opportunities for scaling Irish businesses. Skillnet Innovation Exchange has already facilitated significant deal flow and partnerships nationwide, and this latest expansion strengthens its regional reach and supports greater access to innovation-led growth across the Midlands. Read more

InterTradeIreland has launched SupplyChain+, a new all-island initiative aimed at strengthening SME capability within complex supply chains and improving their readiness to supply larger domestic and international buyers. The programme offers tailored mentoring, specialist guidance and structured development support to help businesses build resilience, enhance internal processes and better meet buyer expectations. Read more

Applications are now open for the latest cohorts of the WeGrow and WeScale programmes, designed to support women entrepreneurs as they grow and scale their businesses. The initiatives provide founders with opportunities to build valuable connections, expand their networks and access practical guidance and mentorship, helping women-led businesses accelerate their growth and unlock new opportunities. Read more

Incubation in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Furthr, alongside our fellow Irish BICs and key partners across the Irish enterprise support ecosystem, has actively contributed to the newly published OECD report, Incubation in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. This comprehensive study explores the evolving role of incubators, accelerators, and enterprise support organisations in driving regional development and innovation. It provides invaluable insights into how we can better support scaling businesses and refine our impact. 

Furthr Masterclass Series 

Furthr supported startups raised €28.5M of pre-seed and seed funding in 2025!

Applications are open 

The Furthr Masterclass series is designed for founders at pre-seed and seed stages - offering an accelerator-level experience. This immersive in-person programme gets entrepreneurs away from the safety of their screens, learning side by side and engaging with other entrepreneurs on a similar journey.

If you are an entrepreneur who is 6 to 12 months away from raising a seed round, this is the perfect programme for you. 

Ready, Set, Go Furthr

The starting point for early-stage founders

Save the date: July 8th 

This energising, hands-on workshop is designed for people at the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.

Whether you have a new idea, an early concept, or simply the ambition to explore entrepreneurship, this session will help you build confidence, shape your thinking, and understand what it really takes to move from idea to action.

Who It’s For

Ready, Set, Go Furthr is designed for:

• Individuals with an early-stage business idea
• First-time founders unsure where to start
• Researchers or professionals exploring commercialisation
• Anyone curious about entrepreneurship and innovation
• Founders preparing to engage with Furthr supports

Come with curiosity and openness to explore. After completion of Ready, Set, Go Furthr participants may be invited to continue their development through Furthr's Masterclass Series. 

Peninsula supports over 7,000 Irish SMEs with expert HR, Employment Law, and Health & Safety services. Through its partnership with Furthr, founders can access trusted, practical support to stay compliant and reduce business risk as they grow.

With 24/7 advice, legal guidance, and tailored solutions, from contracts and risk assessments to training and HR software, Peninsula helps businesses focus on what matters most. Explore more via the Peninsula x Furthr Hub. 

If you like to learn more about our services, reach out to us at hello@furthr.ie