Ireland AI Investment Landscape (Enterprise Ireland)

Summary

• Irish AI companies raised €256 million across 75 deals YTD in 2026, following a record €691.3 million raised across 107 deals in 2025.p.4
• The median AI deal size normalised to €1.6 million YTD after reaching €2.4 million in 2025, driven by major 2026 rounds such as Fonoa raising €94.1 million and CameraMatics raising €49 million.p.4
• Late-stage VC deal value in Ireland hit a record €380.5 million in 2025, while venture growth secured €179.0 million, representing 2.5x and 1.9x their 2024 levels respectively.p.5
• Enterprise Ireland participated in 392 rounds in Ireland's AI sector since 2020 and joined nearly two-thirds of Irish AI deals in 2026 YTD.p.6
• Ireland's AI capabilities expand into healthcare and medtech, backed by an ecosystem of over 300 medtech companies employing over 50,000 people and generating roughly 8% of total exports.p.6

Key insights

1. Ireland ranks ninth in Europe for VC deal count YTD, but rises to second place when adjusted for population.p.4
2. Wayflyer raised a €161.8 million round and Tines completed a €120.7 million Series C in 2025.p.4
3. Enterprise Ireland ranks first in Europe and 17th globally by AI deal count since 2020.p.6
4. Enterprise Ireland-backed AI companies hold 360 active or pending patent filings, emphasizing deep-tech capability.p.6
5. The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 created Oifig IS na hÉireann (AI Office of Ireland), which became operational in August 2026.p.3
6. The EU's Digital Omnibus on AI extended timelines for high-risk obligations into 2027 and 2028.p.3