VenturePulse FY & Q4 2025 (Irish Venture Capital Association)
Summary
- Annual VC funding into Irish SMEs fell by 23% in FY 2025, marking the first annual decline since 2018.p.1
- Funding in the fourth quarter of 2025 experienced a sharp decline of 46%.p.1
- Lifesciences accounted for the largest share of funding in FY 2025 at 40%, followed by Software at 14%.p.2
- Equal 1 recorded the largest individual deal in Q4 2025, securing €30m in Quantum Computing.p.2
- Seed round funding grew by +140% in Q4 2025 compared to Q4 2024.p.3
- Total Q4 2025 venture capital activity reached €291,466 thousand across reported and undisclosed transactions.p.4
Key insights
- Annual venture capital funding into Irish SMEs dropped for the first time since 2018.p.1
- Market uncertainty described as the 'Trump effect' contributed to lower funding levels in late 2025.p.1
- Lifesciences remained the dominant sector, representing 34% of Q4 2025 funding and 40% of FY 2025 funding.p.2
- Software was the second-largest sector, attracting 31% of funding in Q4 2025 and 14% across FY 2025.p.2
- Funding for deals in the €30m+ category fell by 33% year-over-year in FY 2025, dropping from €812,200 thousand to €540,800 thousand.p.3
- Total activity in Q4 2025 amounted to €291,466 thousand, which included €135,786 thousand from undisclosed transactions.p.4
- The market outlook for 2026 indicates positivity for entrepreneurs seeking capital despite the 2025 decline.p.1
Topics and entities
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