What Furthr does

Furthr is Ireland's largest not-for-profit Business Innovation Centre (BIC), headquartered at the Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin 8 and operating since 1988 (originally founded as Dublin BIC). The organisation supports Irish entrepreneurs across the full early-stage journey — from ideation and investor readiness through to pre-seed funding and scale — by combining individual mentorship, structured workshops (Ready, Set, Go Furthr; Masterclass Series), and targeted application support for Enterprise Ireland's Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF, up to €100k via convertible loan note) and Innovative High Potential Startup (iHPSU) programmes. It works in tandem with Enterprise Ireland's Client Advisors and is materially funded by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, allowing it to deliver most founder-facing programmes pro bono.

Furthr's core monetised product surface sits across three pillars: (1) Furthr VC, a relationship-driven early-stage venture fund investing at Seed to Series A in born-global Irish software (18 portfolio companies) and medtech (6 portfolio companies) with reserved follow-on capital; (2) Furthr Investor Network (FIN), established in 2023 as a curated deal-flow network that sources and screens seed/seed+ Irish companies and runs periodic pitching sessions on a not-for-profit cost-recovery basis (investor membership fees, founder pitch fees, fixed admin fees on successful investment, no equity or carry taken by FIN); and (3) Furthr Foundry, a 12-week in-person accelerator that in 2024 supported 38 companies in securing €3.8M in PSSF funding. Furthr also operates Corporate Innovation services — bespoke programmes for the Department of Defence, Defence Forces Ireland, and ESB — and manages the Skillnet Innovation Exchange connecting corporates with innovation-led SMEs. It runs complementary channels including Pitch Jam investor sessions, on-demand webinars, the Startup Insights Blog, a Founder Directory, and a Startup Perks programme offering cloud/SaaS credits (AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, Notion, Figma, Stripe, HubSpot, etc.).

The business model is not-for-profit and reinvests all revenues into the ecosystem. Primary funding flows from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, supplemented by VC fund returns (not yet a meaningful P&L contributor at current scale), FIN cost-recovery fees, and bespoke corporate innovation contracts. Furthr has facilitated over €200M in direct funding into Irish startups via its managed seed funds and angel networks (HBAP/HBAN), with Furthr-supported companies having raised in excess of €500M in equity financing. In 2024 the organisation's economic impact was €34.5M (direct, indirect, and induced), its supported companies employed an estimated 969 people, and aggregate portfolio market value was €194M at year-end 2024. Disclosed 2025 revenue is €2.56M, with stated targets to exceed €3M in 2026 and reach €4M by 2030.

Name

Furthr

Legal name

Furthr

Website

https://furthr.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Furthr is Ireland's largest not-for-profit Business Innovation Centre, founded in 1988 in Dublin. It supports early-stage Irish startups through accelerator programmes (Furthr Foundry), an early-stage VC fund (Furthr VC), an angel investor network (FIN), mentorship, and corporate innovation services, primarily funded by the Irish government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Support Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

Keywords

• Startup support services
• Venture capital investing
• Accelerator programmes
• Angel investor network
• Business innovation centre

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Venture Capital Returns: Furthr VC invests in early-stage companies and reserves significant capital for following on in subsequent rounds, generating returns through equity appreciation and exits.
2. Investor Network Fees: FIN operates on a not-for-profit cost recovery basis. Investors pay a modest annual membership fee. Companies pay a nominal fee to pitch to the network and a fixed administration fee if investment is successfully concluded. FIN does not take equity, carry or any position in any company.
3. Government Funding: Much of Furthr's activity is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Most programs are provided pro bono to Founders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Furthr is Ireland's largest Business Innovation Centre and operates as a not-for-profit startup support organization founded in 1988. It delivers practical hands-on support to entrepreneurs through workshops, a 12-week in-person accelerator (Furthr Foundry), venture capital (Furthr VC, Seed to Series A), an angel investor network (Furthr Investor Network/FIN), funding application support (Enterprise Ireland Pre-Seed Start Fund and iHPSU), pitch events, and bespoke corporate innovation programs. Most programs are provided pro bono to founders and funded primarily through the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Product overview

Furthr is Ireland's largest Business Innovation Centre and startup support organization, founded in 1988 and rebranded from Dublin BIC. Rather than a single technology product, Furthr offers a comprehensive ecosystem of support services for entrepreneurs across all stages of their journey. The portfolio includes: mentorship and workshop programmes (Ready, Set, Go Furthr, Masterclass Series), funding application support (PSSF and iHPSU applications for Enterprise Ireland), the Furthr Foundry accelerator programme (12-week in-person pre-seed accelerator), the Furthr VC early-stage venture fund (Seed to Series A for Irish software and medtech), the Furthr Investor Network (FIN, established 2023 for angel investment), Pitch Jam investor pitching events, educational webinars, the Startup Perks partner benefits programme offering discounts on cloud and SaaS tools, the Startup Insights Blog, published reports and publications, the Furthr Founder Directory showcasing portfolio companies, and Corporate Innovation services for large organisations. The organization has facilitated over €200 million in direct funding and works with 50+ startups monthly, primarily serving the Irish startup ecosystem in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Furthr VC: Relationship-driven early stage VC investor that invests in and forms close partnerships with founders. Invests in highly ambitious, born global Irish software and medtech companies at Seed to Series A stage.
• Furthr Foundry
• Furthr Investor Network (FIN)
• Furthr Foundry

Products and services

• Ready, Set, Go Furthr A hands-on workshop designed for people at the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey, helping them take first steps into startup development.
• Masterclass Series A seven-part series to help startups build investor-ready strategies, covering topics from business model to pitch deck preparation.
• PSSF Application Support Step-by-step support to prepare and apply for early-stage pre-seed funding through Enterprise Ireland's Pre-Seed Start Fund, providing up to €100k via convertible loan note.
• iHPSU Application Support Expert guidance to navigate the Innovative High Potential Startup (iHPSU) process and secure Enterprise Ireland seed funding for high-growth potential companies.
• Furthr Foundry An annual immersive 12-week in-person accelerator programme that tests and challenges early-stage companies, providing knowledge, skills and support to successfully raise pre-seed funding. In 2024, worked with 38 companies securing €3.8 million in pre-seed funding.
• Furthr VC A relationship-driven early stage VC investor that invests in and forms close partnerships with founders. Makes initial investments at Seed to Series A stage in highly ambitious, born global Irish software and medtech companies, with significant capital reserved for following on in subsequent rounds.
• Furthr Investor Network (FIN) Established in 2023 for private investors to view early-stage equity investment opportunities. Sources and screens dealflow in Ireland of seed and seed+ companies, hosting periodic pitching sessions with approximately 4 companies per member meeting. Operates on a not-for-profit cost recovery basis.
• Pitch Jam An opportunity for Furthr-supported founders to present their startup to a group of experienced investors and receive direct, constructive feedback in a focused small-group environment.
• Corporate Innovation Innovation capacity building for large scale public and private organisations, blending internationally recognised innovation theory with real-world practice. Delivers bespoke innovation programmes and connects large corporate clients with innovation-led SMEs through the Skillnet Innovation Exchange. Delivered programmes for Department of Defence, Defence Forces Ireland and ESB.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6000+ startups supported since 1988
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Department of Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCritical government partner that funds much of Furthr's activity with clients. Most of Furthr's programs are provided pro bono to Founders through this funding. The Department supports Ireland's vibrant enterprise ecosystem through policies enabling businesses to thrive.
• Enterprise IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVital partner in empowering Irish businesses to scale globally. Furthr works with Enterprise Ireland's Client Advisors to support potential and existing clients navigating the application process. Furthr works with approximately 50 Enterprise Ireland iHPSU clients annually.
• Skillnet IrelandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritical partner in building the skills and capabilities of Irish businesses. Furthr manages the Skillnet Innovation Exchange which connects large corporate clients with innovation led SMEs. Also supports CCIS (Creative and Cultural Industries Skillnet) for cultural and creative sectors.
• Skillnet Innovation ExchangemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram managed by Furthr that bridges the gap between startups and large companies, enabling collaboration and innovation that accelerates growth and creates meaningful connections.
• Guinness Enterprise CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFurthr is located at and partners with Ireland's largest start-up campus. Both organisations achieved Healthy Workplace accreditation together. The GEC is a key hub in Dublin's startup ecosystem.
• AxisBIC, Propelor BIC, WestBICmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour Irish Business Innovation Centres collaborate nationally to deliver programs like Prep4Seed accelerator in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NDRC: Ireland's national digital startup accelerator, now operating under Dogpatch Labs. Directly comparable as a Dublin-based accelerator serving early-stage Irish founders with Enterprise Ireland-aligned funding pathways.
• Dogpatch Labs: Ireland-headquartered startup hub and accelerator (parent of NDRC). Comparable as it runs founder programmes, workspaces, and investor introductions for Irish early-stage startups.
• MassChallenge: Global non-profit accelerator with equity-free programmes. Comparable as a non-profit, equity-free accelerator model supporting early-stage founders and connecting them to corporate partners and investors.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator and early-stage investor running 12-week programmes worldwide. Comparable as an established accelerator-plus-VC platform targeting seed to Series A software companies.
• 500 Global: Global accelerator and seed VC. Comparable as a scaled accelerator-VC hybrid running programmes for early-stage founders across multiple geographies and verticals.
• Wayra (Telefónica): Corporate-backed global startup accelerator. Comparable as a corporate-sponsored accelerator delivering cohort programmes and corporate innovation services — directly aligned with Furthr's corporate innovation offering.

Emerging players

• Frontline Ventures: Early-stage VC focused on European B2B software, with strong Irish exposure. Comparable as an Ireland-active seed-to-Series A investor serving the same founder pool Furthr backs.
• ACT Venture Capital: Irish early- and growth-stage VC firm. Comparable as a domestic seed/growth investor targeting Irish and European technology companies at similar stages to Furthr VC.
• Kernel Capital: Irish venture capital firm with the Bank of Ireland Kernel Capital Growth Fund. Comparable as a domestic Irish VC backing high-potential startups, often co-investing with Enterprise Ireland-aligned players.

Regional players

• Tangent, Trinity College Dublin: Trinity College Dublin's startup ideas-trading floor and accelerator. Comparable as an Ireland-based university-linked accelerator supporting very early-stage founders — overlapping with Furthr's 'Ready, Set, Go Furthr' segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Furthr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/Furthr-ie
• Facebookfacebook.com/furthr.ie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/871370
• Instagraminstagram.com/furthr_ie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments12 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Furthr