Since 2012, the National Startup Awards has been Ireland's most prestigious recognition programme for early-stage startups — championing innovation, ambition and the entrepreneurial spirit across every sector.
Ceremony
Dublin City HallThe National Startup Awards was founded with one simple belief: Ireland's most innovative early-stage companies deserve a national stage. We exist to shine a light on the entrepreneurs who are changing how we live, work and grow.
We don't just hand out trophies — we open doors. Every year, the awards create connections between founders and the investors, partners and media they need to scale. Our job is to make the risk of building a startup worth it.
Celebrating Ireland's most innovative founders across 13 categories — from AI to Social Impact to Grand Prix.
Connecting founders, investors and mentors in one room at Ireland's most celebrated annual startup ceremony.
Giving winners the national credibility, media coverage and investor access to take their startup to the next level.
"Winning the National Startup Award was an awesome way to end a great year at Hexis. The recognition means a huge amount to our team and helps feed into, and grow, our momentum as we enter 2026. We appreciate all the support we get and have the trophy on proud display as we continue to push!"
"Winning the Medtech Startup of the Year at the National Startup Award is a milestone moment for us. It represents belief in our mission, our people, and the impact we are trying to make. We are proud to represent Irish innovation and excited about what comes next."
"Winning the Early Stage Startup of the Year Award is added validation of the hard work we've put into building Umoja linn — celebrating innovation rooted in community, culture, and technology. This recognition is a huge motivator as we continue to grow, scale, and contribute to Ireland's vibrant startup ecosystem."
"We are very pleased to have been recognised in the National Startup Awards 2025 — our trophy is proudly on display in the window of our headquarters at NovaUCD! Winning Sustainable Startup was a fantastic way to end the year, and we are looking forward to continued expansion of our carbon dioxide removal solution in 2026."
"Eco Powered Cabinets are honoured and proud to be one of the finalists at the National Startup Awards 2025 and the Silver Winner in the Product & Manufacturing Startup category. This award means the world to us as we avail of 16 Irish businesses to make our solar life-saving units."
"Winning Silver at the National Startup Awards is a huge honour for Key2Biotics and a proud moment for our team. Building a company focused on microbiome science and gut health innovation is an ambitious journey, so this recognition from the Irish startup community means a great deal."
Applications for the National Startup Awards 2026 are now open. Join hundreds of Ireland's most ambitious founders and put your startup on the national stage.