The sharp fall in funding comes after a record-breaking first quarter in cash for start-ups

Caroline Gaynor, chairperson, Irish Venture Capital Association

Caroline Gaynor, chairperson, Irish Venture Capital Association

Venture capital funding to Irish tech and life science firms slumped by 78pc in the second quarter of 2025 after a record first quarter, according to the latest figures from the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA).

The fall from €494m in the second quarter of 2024 to €113m in the same three-month period in 2025 is the worst recorded figure in a decade and means that funding in the first half of the year is down by 14pc – to €646m – compared to the same time last year.