Guinness Enterprise Centre marks 25 years with €50m investment milestone

We are thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone for the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), which has officially marked 25 years of supporting Ireland’s startup ecosystem by reaching €50 million in total reinvestment into its campus and support network. As a non-profit "startup superhub," the GEC has supported over 1,500 early-stage companies since opening its doors in 2000, and it remains the largest non-State investor in physical infrastructure for Irish startups. This self-sustaining model is set to continue its impact with a further €18 million reinvestment planned over the next five years. We are especially proud of this success as Furthr is one of the founding organisations of the GEC, alongside Diageo, Dublin City Council, and Enterprise Ireland. It is rewarding to see how a shared vision for a warehouse in the Liberties has evolved into a world-class innovation hub that continues to empower the next generation of global Irish businesses.

A great example of experience in action comes from Furthr mentor Eugene Mitchell, whose company, BoscaSports, has successfully acquired UK-based firm 2DB.

This acquisition not only expands BoscaSports’ capabilities but also reinforces its footprint across key international markets.

For the founders we work with, this is more than just a headline; it’s a powerful illustration of what it means to have mentors who are actively building, scaling, and executing at the highest level.

As Martin Murray, CEO of Furthr, puts it: ''Not every startup founder has an advisor who has built a company themselves. At Furthr, however, we prioritise connecting founders with highly accomplished serial entrepreneurs, mentors who can deliver truly transformative impact. We are fortunate to have mentors of Eugene's calibre, who have helped many Furthr clients secure investment and scale successfully.'' 

Celebrating Major Milestones from Women Founders

Some recent activity across Ireland’s startup ecosystem underscores the formidable impact of women-led ventures in high-growth sectors like healthtech, edtech, and wellness. The acquisition of Wellola, co-founded by Sonia Neary, by UK-based Mayden, marks a significant exit and a validation of Irish-developed patient portal technology. Similarly, Deirdre Lyons’s Acuru (formerly Examfly) is securing its position on the global stage by integrating AI to revolutionise professional learning, proving that women-led firms are at the forefront of digital transformation. Complementing these milestones is the €1.5 million funding boost for Pitch Jam alum Gigi Supplements, led by Jenny Haire and Lisa Hughes, which highlights the increasing investor confidence in specialised female health solutions.

Ireland’s tech scene is reaching new heights, with seven Irish companies recently named among the fastest-growing startups in Europe. Leading the pack is Kota, which broke into the top 10 with a massive 640% revenue growth, followed by diverse innovators like Protex AI, Altra, Nory, Barespace, CleverCards, and the security unicorn Tines. These rankings highlight the incredible momentum of the Irish ecosystem as these home-grown firms continue to scale rapidly across global markets. Read more

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.  

Our webinars are now available to stream on demand. Visit our YouTube playlist to catch up on all our previous sessions whenever it suits you. With topics like Selling SaaS, Recruiting for your Start-up and R&D Tax Credits covered, there's plenty of invaluable information for founders. Don't forget to hit the "Save" button to keep the playlist handy!

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