TLDR:
– Ireland is a European leader in venture capital investment in female-led startups according to a new report from PitchBook.
– The ‘Road to VC Investment’ program was launched to support female founders in preparing for VC investment journeys, with access to mentorship, workshops, and VCs in the Irish ecosystem.
Ireland is a European leader when it comes to venture capital (VC) investment in female-led startups, according to a new report from financial data and research firm PitchBook. Findings from the inaugural All In: Female Founders in the VC Ecosystem report were showcased recently at Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Funding the Future’ event, which explored how female-led Irish businesses are financing their journey to success.
When it comes to investment in female-led startups, Ireland is ranked third in Europe per deal count on a per capita basis, says PitchBook. The pan-European report also noted that Ireland has consistently ranked in the top five countries in Europe for investment in female founders over the last 10 years. And it also found that VC firms invested €100m in Irish female-led startups in 2023.
To support the ecosystem of female founders, Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) launched a new phase in their partnership at the same event. The ‘Road to VC Investment’ program focuses on helping female founders prepare for the VC investment journey, aiming to increase the amount of VC invested in female-led businesses in Ireland. Founders selected to participate will have access to mentorship, strategic workshops, masterclasses, and leading VCs in the Irish ecosystem.
The new phase of this program will also include webinars on tax governance and legal issues, as well as an equity and pitching workshop for further development of pitching skills and feedback from members of Ireland’s VC ecosystem and mentors. Attendees at the event heard more detail on the All In report and the ‘Road to VC Investment’ program during a fireside chat with Sarah Jane Larkin, director general of the IVCA.
The event also featured panel discussions on closing the gender gap, with insights from investors, as well as leaders from EI-supported companies who have successfully funded and scaled their businesses. Ireland’s focus on empowering female entrepreneurs and fostering a diverse population in the business ecosystem is key to driving economic success according to Enterprise Ireland.
