Irish company start

A record 14,949 new company start-ups were established in Ireland during the first six months of 2026, marking a 13% increase on the same period last year, according to the latest figures from credit risk analyst Vision-net by CRIF.

The data shows 1,716 more companies were registered in the first half of the year compared with H1 2025, when 13,233 start-ups were recorded, highlighting continued confidence among entrepreneurs despite ongoing global economic uncertainty.

June proved to be the busiest month of the year so far, with 2,744 new companies registered.

Technology led the growth in new business formation, with IT start-ups soaring by 62% year-on-year.

Other sectors also recorded strong gains, including motor businesses (31%), manufacturing (26%) and construction (22%).

The increase was spread across much of the country, with 18 counties recording higher levels of business formation than a year earlier.

Wicklow posted the strongest growth at 31%, followed by Kilkenny (26%), Louth (21%), Kildare (16%) and Donegal (12%).

Ireland's largest urban centres also saw a rise in entrepreneurial activity, with Dublin recording a 16% increase in company registrations, Limerick up 22%, Galway rising 18% and Cork increasing 13%.

Alongside the growth in start-ups, Vision-net reported a significant improvement in financial resilience among both businesses and consumers.

The value of commercial judgments fell by 45% year-on-year to €15m during the first half of 2026, while the number of commercial judgments declined by 18%.

Consumer financial distress also eased, with the number of consumer judgments falling by 15% and their total value dropping by 58%.

Vision-net said the figures point to improving liquidity among businesses and stronger household finances, creating a more favourable environment for investment and entrepreneurship.

Christine Cullen, Managing Director of Vision-net by CRIF, said the latest figures demonstrate the resilience of the Irish economy.

"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."

She said it was particularly encouraging that growth was being seen across both sectors and regions.

"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."

Cullen added that the surge in entrepreneurship was being supported by a marked improvement in the financial health of both businesses and consumers.

"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."