Nearly 15,000 Irish Startups so far this year – the highest on record

• 13% increase year-on-year for Irish startups  
• 18 counties saw an increase in startups for H1 2026 compared to H1 2025  
• 14,949 new startups in H1 2026, the highest on record 
• 14 sectors saw an H1 increase in startups vs 2025, including IT, motor, manufacturing and construction 
• Commercial Judgments fell in H1 2026: Value down by 45% to €15M, Volume also fell 18% year on year 
• Number of consumer judgements also saw a fall in the first 6 months representing a 15% decrease 
• Vision-net by CRIF MD Christine Cullen: " The figures for the first half of 2026 paint a remarkably resilient picture of the Irish business landscape, witnessing a 13% year-on-year increase in new company startups. This entrepreneurial surge is well-supported by a sharp contraction in financial distress.” 

A record-breaking number of Irish startups was recorded in the first half of this year, with 14,949 company startups recorded. This represents a 13% year-on-year increase in the number of company start-ups was recorded for the first six months of 2026, (14,949 in H1 2026 vs 13,233 in H1 2025), according to the latest figures from credit risk analyst Vision-net by CRIF.   

Key sectors see growth 

Key economic sectors including IT (62%), motor (31%), manufacturing (26%), construction (22%) saw positive growth. With June being the busiest month for new company startups in the year so far, with 2,744 new companies registered in the month. 

County by county breakdown 

18 counties saw an increase in startups for H1 2026 compared to H1 2025, notably Wicklow (31%), Kilkenny (26%), Louth (21%), Kildare (16%) and Donegal (12%). Counties with large urban populations including Dublin (16%) Limerick (22%), Cork (13%) and Galway (18%) also experienced a positive first half of the year in new start-ups.  

Irish Economy Strengthens as Commercial and Consumer Judgments Plummet in H1 2026 

The sharp decline in both commercial and consumer judgments in the first half of 2026 is a highly encouraging bellwether for the Irish economy. A 45% drop in the value of commercial judgments to €15M, alongside an 18% year-on-year decrease in volume, signals that Irish businesses are managing liquidity with remarkable agility despite global headwinds. 

For entrepreneurs and startups, this environment represents a significant reduction in systemic credit risk, paving the way for greater investment confidence and smoother scaling. Coupled with a substantial 15%  decrease in the number of consumer judgments, and a 58% drop in the value of consumer judgments it is clear that financial resilience is strengthening across the board. Stronger household balance sheets directly translate to robust consumer confidence, which is the ultimate fuel for domestic entrepreneurship and retail growth. 

 Insight 

Commenting on the H1 figures, Christine Cullen, Managing Director of Vision-net by CRIF said:  

“The figures for the first half of 2026 paint a remarkably resilient picture of the Irish business landscape. Witnessing a 13% year-on-year increase in new company startups, totalling nearly 15,000 new businesses, is a clear indicator that entrepreneurial spirit and consumer confidence are holding steady, even against a backdrop of ongoing global economic uncertainty. 

“What is particularly encouraging is the sheer breadth of this growth. We are seeing a rising tide across 18 counties, with traditional urban hubs like Dublin, Limerick, and Cork supported by phenomenal surges in counties like Wicklow and Kilkenny. Furthermore, growth is being driven by cornerstones of our economy, led by a massive spike in IT startups, followed by strong gains in the motor, construction and manufacturing sectors.  

“This entrepreneurial surge is well-supported by a sharp contraction in financial distress. The 45% drop in the value of commercial judgments alongside a 15% decrease in the number of consumer judgments, and a 58% drop in the value of consumer judgments suggests that both businesses and individuals are navigating cash flows with greater stability and clearing previous credit hurdles.”