Top 16 Accelerators and Incubators in Ireland (2026)
Ireland offers a range of accelerator and incubator programs for early-stage companies. These programs support startups across many industries, from FinTech to agriculture.
For example, Mastercard Start Path has made over 60 investments in sectors like FinTech and E-Commerce. Similarly, the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre has supported more than 50 companies in areas including medical devices and biotech.
Below is our list of the best 16 accelerators and incubators in Ireland.
Failory's Top 10 Picks
Mastercard Start Path helps innovative startups across fintech, payments, and digital assets scale by plugging them directly into Mastercard's global network. Through its equity-free program, companies gain valuable partnership and co-innovation opportunities to build the future of commerce.
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | — |
| Investment Amount | No direct cash investment - provides network access, partnerships, co-innovation |
| Equity Taken | 0% |
| Nº of Investments | 61 |
| Nº of Exits | 10 |
| Program Type | Online |
| Duration (Weeks) | 24 |
The Pearse Lyons Accelerator champions innovation in agritech through a focused, three-month program for startups working on solutions in nutrition, robotics, and AI. They provide founders with direct access to the global network and expertise of agricultural science leader Alltech, helping them pilot and scale their technologies.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Pearse Lyons |
| Nº of Investments | 22 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
3. AIB Equity
Operating as the venture capital arm of Allied Irish Banks, AIB Equity injects capital into Irish businesses at various stages of development. They support companies with a spectrum of financing options, from early-stage investments and growth capital to bridge loans for more established enterprises.
| Year Founded | 1999 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 3 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
As a non-profit joint venture with Dublin City University, the DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship champions Irish businesses through targeted investment and training programs. They focus on nurturing the national startup ecosystem by providing entrepreneurs with the essential resources and support needed to grow their ventures.
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 26 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
Focusing on the robotics and IoT sectors, Amena Ventures helps new ventures bring their hardware products to market. They provide the necessary resources and guidance for early-stage companies to navigate the unique challenges of building physical technology.
| Year Founded | 2020 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 2 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
Accelerate Green champions companies at the forefront of sustainability and climate action, helping them scale their market-ready goods and services. The program provides deep domain expertise and unique access to infrastructure for pilots, preparing founders to lead the way toward a net-zero future.
| Year Founded | — |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 31 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
The Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre champions early-stage companies by providing a dynamic environment for growth and development. They support founders across a diverse range of industries, from biotech and pharma to digital media, offering the resources needed to scale their businesses.
| Year Founded | — |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 51 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
New Frontiers champions Ireland's next wave of entrepreneurs through its national development program, offering critical mentorship and training. They guide founders through a multi-phase journey, which includes a tax-free stipend, to help transform innovative ideas into investment-ready businesses.
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 15 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
Hatch Blue accelerates early-stage startups dedicated to transforming the global aquaculture and alternative seafood industries. Through its specialized program, they provide the tools and expertise needed to scale innovations in farm technology, health, nutrition, and genetics.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Wayne Murphy, Georg Baunach |
| Nº of Investments | 21 |
| Nº of Exits | — |
10. NovaUCD
As the innovation hub for University College Dublin, NovaUCD provides incubation facilities and support programs for knowledge-intensive companies. They help researchers and entrepreneurs transform creative ideas into commercially successful ventures, strengthening Ireland's startup ecosystem.
| Year Founded | 2003 |
| Founders | Dirk Leipold, R. Bogdan Staszewski, Mike Asker |
| Nº of Investments | 4 |
| Nº of Exits | — |
6 Additional Ireland Accelerators and Incubators Worth Applying To
Our top picks aren't the only great options for founders in Ireland. Together, the programs below have funded over 50 startups across the country. They each offer something different for early-stage companies. Here’s a look at more accelerators and incubators helping founders in Ireland.
| Accelerator/Incubator | Year Founded | Nº Investments | Nº Exits |
|---|---|---|---|
 Guinness Enterprise Centre | 2000 | 1 | — |
 Dogpatch Labs | 2009 | 10 | — |
 AgTechUCD | 2022 | 18 | — |
 AI Ecosystem Accelerator | — | 18 | — |
 Flashpoint | 2010 | 2 | — |
 Small Foundation | 2007 | 11 | — |
