Three early-stage start-ups have become the latest companies to spin-in to NovaUCD and join the community of entrepreneurs at University College Dublin’s (UCD) Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs.

HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network) has announced that investors in its South East Business Angel Network (SEBAN) plan to invest €10 million in start-ups from the region over the next three years.

New company start-ups surpassed 20,000 for first time in almost two decades last year according to a new report.

Regional entrepreneurs are at risk of being left behind as the number of startups this year looks set to outstrip a record-breaking 2015.

Nine out of 10 Start-Ups intend to hire more staff this year.

The State body charged with fostering indigenous enterprise can boast a record number of people at work in the companies it supports after a bumper 2015.

Marketing and taxes are among the biggest challenges facing Irish start-ups, whether they are based here or abroad, the Global Irish Economic Forum heard yesterday.

The Government says its scheme to help entrepreneurs recover up to 41% of their start-up costs by way of refunds on previous income tax bills will encourage many more people to set up in business and create jobs.

The number of new company start-ups increased last month - with 3,600 businesses established.