Don’t accept the first offer – choosing the right VC partner is critical

Venture capital is designed for high-growth, scalable businesses with innovative products or services; founders should look for meaningful support alongside money, writes Edel Corrigan

Venture capital is designed for companies with innovative products or services, strong potential and leadership teams capable of delivering rapid growth.

Venture capital funding into Irish SMEs soared to a record-breaking €532.8 million in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association. This was more than double the level for the same period in 2024 and marked the strongest first quarter ever recorded.

“The record-breaking €532.8 million in venture capital funding into Irish SMEs in Q1 2025 is a strong signal of investor confidence in Ireland’s innovation ecosystem,” says Anna-Marie Turley, head of fintech, financial services and cybersecurity at Enterprise Ireland.