Connecting the Irish diaspora to home
Your gateway to Ireland’s venture ecosystem
Elkstone, supported by the Irish Strategic Investment Fund and Enterprise Ireland is known as the:
Irish venture ecosystem champion
Leading early-stage venture investor in Ireland
Why Ireland?
Ireland, both North and South, offers a thriving landscape for venture investment, with Galway emerging as a global medtech hub, Belfast leading in cybersecurity and AI innovation, and Dublin standing out as a fintech powerhouse.
The island’s dynamic sectors make it an attractive destination for cutting-edge ventures across industries.
Startups
As of 2023, Ireland is home to over 2,500 active startups across various sectors, with a vibrant ecosystem that continues to grow rapidly. A total €552 million was raised by 147 tech companies in the first six months of 2024
Success Stories
Ireland is a hub for startup success, home to unicorns like Stripe, LetsGetChecked, Wayflyer, and Fenergo, showcasing its potential for high-growth investments.
Tech Hub
Host to global giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple, making it an ideal environment for tech-driven startups.
Government Support & Ecosystem
Robust start up ecosystem backed by strong government support, including Enterprise Ireland (EI), the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), fostering innovation and grow
Why Elkstone
100 million fund
Largest early stage venture fund in Ireland
90.4 million
Invested to date
64
Companies invested in
3
Unicorns
1,000+
Jobs created from our investments
Our Companies
Spotlight
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Dr. Patricia Scanlon - Founder of Soapbox
SoapBox Labs was acquired by Microsoft in 2023, marking a significant milestone in voice technology for children's speech recognition.
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Conor McCarthy, Co - founder and CEO of Flipdish
Flipdish offers cutting-edge digital ordering and delivery solutions for restaurants. Celebrated as a unicorn, the company reached a valuation of over $1 billion, underscoring its impact and success in the industry.
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Lucy O’Keefe, Founder of CroiValve
(Tricuspid Heart Valve) Just raised $15m Series B to fund commencement of US trials, excellent initial trial data.
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Dr Bárbara Oliveira - CTO and Co Founder Luminate Medical
Luminate Medical develops innovative medical devices designed to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment, such as hair loss.
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Dan Hobbs, Co - Founder and CEO of Protex AI
Protex AI is a computer vision-based software company, providing proactive safety technology to help companies in their mission to realise an injury-free workplace.
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Peter Foley, founder and CEO of LetsGetChecked
A healthcare company that offers at-home diagnostic testing and telehealth services. The company reached unicorn status in 2021 after securing a valuation of over $1 billion.
Meet the team
Alan Merriman
Susan Dwyer
Donald
A note from the CEO
At Elkstone, our mission is to bridge the gap between the vibrant Irish diaspora and the promising opportunities back home. We believe in harnessing the collective power and passion of Irish investors abroad to fuel innovation, drive sustainable growth, and enhance the overall wellbeing of Ireland.Together, we are dedicated to building a brighter future for Ireland, one investment at a time.
Alan Merriman, Founder & CEO of Elkstone
Hear from our network...
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Kingsley Aikens - CEO, The Networking Institute
Few countries have such a talented and diverse diaspora as Ireland. Historically ten million people left Ireland which means we now have a global empire not built by military might and there is a difference between the state of Ireland which is lines on a map and the nation of Ireland which is a global nation. Elkstone understand this and the desire to connect back in a meaningful way and contribute to the emergence of a globally connected, vibrant economic ecosystem driven by innovative people and companies who want to expand internationally.
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Eoghan Quigley - Angel Investor
As an experienced angel investor who has invested in the US and Ireland, the Irish scene feels a bit like how SIlicon Valley was about 20 years ago. The Elkstone Venture Club and Fund have been at the forefront from an institutional perspective in tapping into the Irish ecosystem and have established themselves as a go to party for exciting Irish startups and scaleups. Investing through Elkstone provides access to a diversified spread of quality Irish startups across a wide spectrum of areas and in particular it provides me with a great oversight of what is happening in many exciting niche areas.
How You Can Get Involved
If you’re passionate about empowering Irish startups and want to be a part of their journey, we'd love to hear from you!
We’re actively seeking investors, mentors, and partners who are ready to lean in and provide the support that can drive Irish founders forward.
Are you ready to get involved?
Choose how you’d like to make an impact:
Interested in Investment Opportunities
Explore how you can contribute financially to Ireland's most exciting ventures and be a part of their growth story.
Sign Up to Help Irish Founders
Offer your expertise, mentorship, or resources to help Irish founders navigate their entrepreneurial challenges and grow.
Stay Connected with Ireland & Venture News
Keep up to date with the latest news, insights, and opportunities in Ireland’s venture ecosystem—perfect for those who want to stay informed without making a commitment just yet.
Community Perks
Market trends and insights
Gain top insights into Ireland's investment landscape, discover exciting startups to watch, and be inspired by success stories
Access the best venture deals
Exclusive access to high quality Irish venture investment opportunities
Educational content & resources
Explore the stories behind thriving startups and their investors, learning key strategies, investment tips, and the mindset required to achieve success
Exclusive networking
Network with fellow Irish diaspora peers at our exclusive, invite-only events held at premier venues
News & Insights
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<span style="font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; font-size: 15px;">20th August 2024</span> <br><br> <span style="font-size: 32px;font-weight: 400; line-height: 1;">From Diaspora to Deal Flow: Exploring Ireland’s Alternative Investment Opportunity</span>
In this episode, we delve into the thriving Irish startup scene and the role of alternative investments in fueling its growth.
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<span style="font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; font-size: 15px;">20th August 2024</span> <br><br> <span style="font-size: 32px;font-weight: 400; line-height: 1;">'For an economy to prosper, you need successful entrepreneurs'</span>
Elkstone partner Niall McEvoy tells SiliconRepublic.com why the Irish State needs to increase supports for early-stage founders to make Ireland an island of start-ups.
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<span style="font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; font-size: 15px;">16th December 2023</span> <br> <br><span style="font-size: 32px;font-weight: 400; line-height: 1;">‘It was not just about the financial return, but because of the impact’</span>
Earlier this year, Patricia Scanlon sold SoapBox Labs for what is believed to be the largest sale price achieved ever by an Irish-based female founder. At a recent Elkstone event, she talked about building the company, and why she decided to sell earlier this year.
Contact us today to learn more
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Elkstone Private Advisors Limited (trading as Elkstone Private, Elkstone Wealth and Elkstone Ventures) is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
Warning: This is a marketing communication. This document is not a contractually binding document and has been prepared and distributed by Elkstone Private Advisors Ltd. for information purposes only. it is not intended as and does not constitute a personal recommendation. Please do not base any final investment decision on this.