Rich international investors are mad for Irish businesses
They gave over €240 million to Irish SMEs last year.
NEW FIGURES FROM the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) show that investors’ interest in Irish startups hit new heights in 2015.
In its annual VenturePulse survey, the IVCA revealed that Irish tech SMEs raised €522 million in 2015. This represents a 30% increase on the €401 million raised the previous year.
Last year also saw an increased interest from international investors in Irish-based SMEs, with total funding raised from abroad now standing at 46% compared to 33% in 2014.
Chairman of the IVCA Brian Caulfield said although the majority of investment still comes from Irish backers, the increase from international investors is promising.
“The Irish venture capital community continues to be the main source of funding for Irish innovative SMEs both through direct investment and as the local lead investor for international syndicate investors.
“The results show increased interest by overseas investors in the Irish tech sector which is a tribute to the calibre of its entrepreneurs and technology capabilities.”
ChannelSight, who raised €3.3 million, have worked with brands such as Cadburys and Philips
Movers and shakers
Results from the IVCA survey are broken down by quarter and revealed some of the big winners in the Irish SME scene at the tail end of last year.
The travel industry data analytics specialists Boxever received €9.4 million in funding, while online sales advisors ChannelSight secured €3.3 million respectively.
Irish SMEs who raised in excess of €2 million in Q4 of 2015:
- Nuritas (€2.9 million)
- PlusVital (€2.3 million)
- Mobacar (€2 million)
- WholeWorldBand (€2 million)
