Irish startups have intensified their push for growth capital after entrepreneurs across southern Ireland pitched for a combined €9.5 million at the latest AxisBIC Venture Academy investor showcase in Cork.
The high-stakes event signaled rising investor confidence and growing momentum within Europe’s early-stage startup ecosystem.
The showcase gathered founders, investors and innovation leaders at the River Lee Hotel, where ambitious companies presented scalable ideas across multiple sectors. Notably, the funding target surged compared to last year, reinforcing a steady upward trend.
Over the past 16 years, participating startups have already secured more than €37 million, underscoring the programme’s long-term impact on business growth.
This year, startups from skincare, health technology, sports technology and cybersecurity sectors demonstrated strong innovation potential.
Each company refined its pitch through AxisBIC’s mini-accelerator programme, which provided hands-on mentorship, investor readiness training and tailored strategic guidance. As a result, founders delivered sharper, more compelling funding propositions to potential backers.
Doctrine Skincare emerged as the standout performer after judges named it the Most Investible Company. Founded by cosmetic chemist Tracey Ryan, the brand focuses on science-driven skincare products formulated with evidence-based active ingredients.
Ryan expressed excitement about the recognition, noting that the award arrives at a critical stage as the company prepares to attract investment and expand operations.She also credited AxisBIC’s structured support for strengthening the company’s readiness for funding opportunities.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity firm Ailtire captured the Best Pitch award through a strong audience vote. Led by CEO Colm McSweeney, the company helps organisations detect security risks early when building or upgrading digital systems.
McSweeney highlighted the team’s effort and emphasised how mentorship and honest feedback played a key role in refining their pitch strategy.
Importantly, the event reflected a broader shift in investor appetite. AxisBIC CEO Larry O’Donoghue pointed to a 66% increase in funding sought compared to the previous year.
He stressed that the rise demonstrates growing interest in supporting startups, especially technology-driven ventures that deliver real-world impact. Furthermore, he encouraged emerging entrepreneurs to engage with AxisBIC’s programmes to accelerate growth and unlock funding opportunities.
Several other startups also gained attention during the event. Colata introduced an AI-powered SaaS platform designed to unify sports data systems for improved decision-making.
CommPAL showcased a solution that enhances planning for community palliative care teams using predictive analytics. Kinematic Tracing Systems presented clinical tools that speed up injury assessments with precise results, while SeeGap unveiled an AI-driven retail engagement platform that strengthens connections between brands and consumers.
The MenoPal also addressed a critical healthcare gap by developing a central intelligence platform for menopause data.
Collectively, these startups highlight the increasing diversity and technological depth within Ireland’s innovation ecosystem. As investment interest continues to grow, the AxisBIC Venture Academy remains a vital platform for connecting visionary founders with capital and mentorship needed to scale globally.
