A new report from employers group Ibec reveals that while founder confidence remains high, significant challenges in accessing funding and competing for talent are holding them back.
The annual Ibec Founders Report found that despite a largely positive outlook growth is being constrained.
The report shows that 77% of founders rated the current business environment positively and 68% felt optimistic about the next six months.
Top challenges facing founders were access to funding (27%) and competition on pay (37%). Administrative red tape was also cited as a key structural barrier.
Ireland is now home to seven unicorns - a privately-owned company that is valued at more than $1 billion - today's report shows.
Meanwhile, new startup creations increased by 9% in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year.
Founders' growth ambitions are clear, with their top business priorities being accessing new markets (22%), launching new products and services (21%) and fundraising (15%).
Sharon Higgins, Ibec Executive Director, Membership & Sectors, said that Ireland has all the raw ingredients to be a global leader in high-growth, founder-led enterprise.
"Founders are already making a significant contribution - employing over 234,000 people and driving exports and inward investment," she noted.
"It's heartening to see continued capital flowing into our brightest startups, including venture capital investment in women-led startups growing by 39% to €200m, but ambition alone is not enough," she stated.
"We must continue to find ways to support our founders through targeted incentives, a streamlined R&D tax credit that rewards innovation, and a reduction in the regulatory burden," Ms Higgins urged.
"With the right support, Ireland's founders can build world-class businesses, create high-value jobs, and position our country as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation," she added.
