Nearly 15,000 new Irish companies have been set up so far this year – a 13% increase year on year for start-ups.
It also marks the highest number of start-ups on record, according to credit risk analyst Vision-net by CRIF.
The company analysed the number of start-ups and insolvencies registered on its database in 2025 and 2026, and analysed its records that date back for 30 years.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Vision-net by CRIF Managing Director Christine Cullen commented that it looks like there will be 30,000 new companies by the end of the year.
“We saw a bit of a bounce there after Covid, but we’ve never seen figures like this before,” said Ms Cullen.
IT saw the largest growth with an increase of 62% driven by AI, followed by strong gains in motor (31%), manufacturing (26%), and construction (22%).
June was the busiest month for new company startups in the year so far, with 2,744 new companies registered in the month.
Across the six months 18 counties saw an increase in start-ups compared to the same period last year.
Traditional urban hubs like Dublin, Limerick, and Cork were supported by surges in counties like Wicklow (31%) and Kilkenny (26%).
“It’s very, very positive for not just the urban centres, but also for regional growth, ” commented Ms Cullen.
“And it just goes to show you how important our infrastructure is for making sure that that spread is right across the country,” she said.
Despite global economic uncertainty, Ms Cullen said the figures for the first half of 2026 paint a “remarkably resilient picture” of the Irish business landscape.
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“Ireland is a great place to do business and as we go into the EU presidency, it’s a wonderful time for us to be really showing our benefits of doing business in this country,” she said.
The report shows there was also a sharp decline in commercial and consumer judgements.
Commercial judgements, which see someone taking a company through the court system to recover debt, are down by 45% to €15m, while the volume also fell 18% year on year.
The number of consumer judgements also saw a fall in the first six months of the year, representing a 15% decrease.
Ms Cullen said the likely explanation of that is a combination of stronger employment, more resilient finances, and businesses managing cash flow.
She also highlighted that credit conditions in Ireland remain relatively tight.
“While there’s more funding options available for companies through government supports and non-bank lenders, credit is tighter in the economy,” she explained.
