Top Irish Startups to Watch in 2026: Dublin's Rising Tech Stars

Jan de Vries · 2026-02-16

Let's talk about Ireland's tech scene. You probably know it as a hub for big multinationals, right? But there's something new happening in Dublin. A fresh wave of homegrown startups is building the future, and honestly, it's pretty exciting. We're seeing brilliant companies pop up in biotech, AI, fintech, and enterprise software. They're not just ideas on paper either. These teams have secured real funding, launched actual products, and are starting to make serious waves. Here, we're highlighting 10 of the most promising Irish startups founded from 2023 onward. They're all based in Dublin and are gearing up for Ireland's next big growth phase in 2026. Think of this as your insider look at who's building what's next. ### Aerska: Targeting Brain Disease at the Source Founded in 2025, Aerska is taking a radically different approach to neurological diseases. They're developing RNA interference medicines—often called RNAi. Here's the simple way to think about it: instead of just managing symptoms, their treatment aims to silence the specific genes that produce harmful proteins. It's like going after the root cause. By combining this gene-silencing tech with targeted delivery, they're working on more precise treatments for complex brain conditions. To fund this ambitious work, they've raised a substantial $54.5 million. That's a serious vote of confidence in their platform and early-stage pipeline.  ### Bronto: Taming the Data Chaos for AI Companies Modern companies, especially those driven by AI, generate mountains of system data. Logging that data—collecting and storing it for monitoring and troubleshooting—is a massive headache. Many teams are stuck with old, patchwork systems that are expensive and can't scale. Bronto, founded in 2024, fixes that. They offer a single platform that stores, parses, and makes all those logs searchable in real time. Even at huge volumes. Their system is built for speed and predictable costs, which is exactly what enterprise teams managing complex infrastructure need. They've secured over $12.6 million to meet this growing demand. ### DevAlly: Making Digital Accessibility Simple How many websites and apps are truly usable for people with disabilities? Not enough, and that's a big problem. It creates legal risks and locks people out. DevAlly, an AI-driven platform founded in 2024, tackles this head-on. They provide automated tools that continuously scan digital products for accessibility issues. But they go beyond just finding problems. The platform helps teams track issues, fix them, and document compliance. It's about simplifying a process that's often fragmented and overwhelming. With $2.2 million in funding, they're helping organizations adapt to tighter accessibility rules. ### Glitch Ads: AI-Powered Advertising on Autopilot Setting up and managing effective Google Ads campaigns takes time and expertise. Glitch Ads, founded in 2023, uses AI to automate the whole process. Their software analyzes a website, identifies key products and audiences, and then generates ready-to-launch campaigns—complete with keywords and ad copy. Once live, it doesn't stop. The platform continuously optimizes bids, shifts budgets, and cuts underperforming keywords. The goal? Let businesses run efficient ad campaigns without being totally dependent on external agencies. They've landed $2.3 million to grow their tool and customer base. ### Grass: A New Model for Earning Online Founded in 2023, Grass is exploring a novel concept: a platform that lets users earn by contributing their unused internet bandwidth. It's a fascinating take on decentralized networks, turning a passive resource into potential value. ### What This All Means This isn't just a random list of companies. It's a snapshot of a maturing ecosystem. As one Dublin-based investor recently told me, "The talent and ambition here have always been strong. Now, the funding and support structures are catching up, allowing these founders to build global companies from day one." These startups show where Dublin's tech scene is heading: - Deep tech with real-world impact, like Aerska's medicine. - Foundational tools for the AI era, like Bronto's logging. - Solutions for critical business and social needs, like DevAlly's compliance. - Automation that democratizes complex fields, like Glitch Ads. The momentum is building. With solid funding, clear products, and focused teams, these are the Irish startups you'll want to keep on your radar as 2026 approaches.