Making it Work

Billion-dollar babies: how to raise the next generation of Irish unicorns

The €500m ISIF strategy to enhance regional growth, with a particular focus on start-ups, is welcome, but fledgling unicorns need more than a cash injection

Irish unicorns are a rarity, but they can become more common if we make the path a little easier for high-potential start-ups. Picture: Getty

Adam Griffiths is a partner at, and head of, Taylor Wessing Ireland, the global law firm. taylorwessingcom.

Like their mythical namesake, Irish unicorns are very rare creatures indeed.

Last month, the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) announced details of a €500 million investment to enhance regional economic growth outside the capital, with a particular focus on supporting the next generation of Irish start-ups with the potential to reach a valuation of over €1 billion.

The ...