Galway to host first AGM outside Dublin of Irish Venture Capital Association

• Galway selected because of its success in developing the region as medtech national hub

Dublin, Monday, 25th May, 2026: The Irish Venture Capital and Private Equity Association is to hold its first Annual General Meeting outside Dublin in Galway on June 18^th. The IVCA, which marked its 40^th anniversary last year, is the representative organisation for venture capital and private equity firms on the island of Ireland. Venture capital funding into Irish technology SMEs last year exceeded €1 billion.

“We selected Galway for our first AGM outside the capital because it has become the medtech Silicon Valley of Ireland,” commented Caroline Gaynor, chairperson, IVCA. “The region is a national success story and role model in its creation of a medical device hub.

“Venture capital is a critical source of funding for Irish start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) and plays a key role in driving job creation, economic growth and innovation. Recent job cutbacks announced by multinational tech companies more than ever emphasise the need to create and grow our own indigenous tech companies.”

From left: Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, and Caroline Gaynor, chairperson, Irish Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.
Photo: Fennell Photography.

The AGM takes place the day before the Western Development Commission (WDC), an IVCA member, hosts Síorghlas Investment Summit on June 19th, at the Dexcom Stadium, Galway. This brings together policymakers, founders, investors and community leaders to explore how to reinforce the Western region as a key driver for Ireland’s innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.

“While Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has played a crucial role in Ireland’s economic success story, we have become overly dependent on multinational, especially US companies, in terms of tax revenue and jobs,” added Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, Irish Venture Capital Association.

“As Ireland Inc faces into an increasingly isolationist geopolitical global environment, it is now more important than ever that we source funding locally to create and grow high potential companies across Ireland, and not leave ourselves overly reliant on overseas investors.”

Ends

Press queries to:

Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, IVCA, Email: [email protected];

Mob: 087 320 9209 or

Ronnie Simpson, Simpson Consulting, Email: [email protected];

Mob: 086 855 9410

About the Irish Venture Capital Association (ivca.ie)

The Irish Venture Capital Association, which marked its 40^th anniversary last year, is the representative organisation for venture capital and private equity firms in Ireland.

An independent DCU report found that Irish venture capital and private equity supported the state’s investment through its agencies’ Enterprise Ireland and Irish Strategic Investment Fund and geared up investment through the Seed & Venture Capital Programme by almost 16 times.

The study estimates that employment numbers in venture and private equity backed firms grow by an average of 27%, compared to an overall increase in employment in the economy of just over 3% per annum over a similar time period.