Applications are now open for the 2026 Irish Investor Awards, in association with Forvis Mazars
4th December 2025: Now in its third year, the Irish Investor Awards, in association with Forvis Mazars, returns to recognise the remarkable achievements of Ireland's venture capital and private equity community. As the investment landscape adapts to shifting global conditions, the 2026 awards will highlight the individuals and firms helping Irish businesses navigate change, seize new opportunities and scale with confidence.
Ireland’s investment ecosystem remains active and resilient. Recent figures from the Irish Venture Capital Association show that €1.48 billion was invested in Irish technology SMEs in 2024, with early 2025 data indicating continued investor appetite to back high-potential Irish companies. This ongoing commitment underlines the crucial role investment plays in supporting the growth and evolution of Ireland’s SME sector.
The Irish Investor Awards offer a unique platform to celebrate the investors, advisers and industry leaders whose insight, capital and guidance enable businesses to grow, innovate and contribute meaningfully to Ireland’s economic progress. Being recognised as a finalist reflects not only excellence in investment practice but also a contribution to the wider business ecosystem.
John Bowe, Corporate Finance Partner, Forvis Mazars; Sarah-Jane Larkin, Director General, IVCA; Tom O'Brien, Managing Partner, Forvis Mazars; Bryan Bourke, Chairperson, AirNav Ireland.
At the launch of the 2026 Irish Investor Awards, John Bowe, Corporate Finance Partner at Forvis Mazars, stated, “Ireland’s private equity and venture capital community continues to demonstrate resilience, ambition and a strong commitment to partnership. Investors are not only providing capital but working closely with management teams to strengthen governance, open new markets, drive digital transformation and support sustainable growth.
“The Irish Investor Awards were established to showcase that contribution and to celebrate the people shaping the next chapter of Irish enterprise. At Forvis Mazars, we remain committed to supporting a sector that plays such an important role in developing and growing businesses that deliver long-term value.”
“The Irish Investor Awards were established to showcase that contribution and to celebrate the people shaping the next chapter of Irish enterprise. At Forvis Mazars, we remain committed to supporting a sector that plays such an important role in developing and growing businesses that deliver long-term value.”
Entries are now open via the official awards website. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 12 February 2026, with winners to be announced at a black-tie ceremony in the historic Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin, on Friday, 15 May 2026.
Entries from companies and individuals can be submitted via the online form on the official awards website. The submission deadline is Friday, 12 February 2025, with winners to be announced at a black-tie gala ceremony in the historic Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin, on Friday, 15 May 2025.
The awards will be judged by a panel of industry professionals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a thorough, unbiased evaluation process. Their collective expertise guarantees that each nominee is assessed with precision and care, celebrating the unique contributions and accomplishments of every finalist.
For more information and to submit your entry, visit www.irishinvestorawards.ie
Entries from companies and individuals can be submitted via the online form on the official awards website. The submission deadline is Friday, 12 February 2025, with winners to be announced at a black-tie gala ceremony in the historic Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin, on Friday, 15 May 2025.
The awards will be judged by a panel of industry professionals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a thorough, unbiased evaluation process. Their collective expertise guarantees that each nominee is assessed with precision and care, celebrating the unique contributions and accomplishments of every finalist.
For more information and to submit your entry, visit www.irishinvestorawards.ie
About the 2025 Irish Investor Awards
More than 450 finalists, winners and guests from the Irish investment community and their advisors attended the gala event in the Round Room at the Mansion House on Friday, 9 May 2025.
The awards attracted over 100 submissions from more than 45 private equity and venture capital firms and their professional services advisers. We were delighted to have welcomed Minister Jack Chambers, who officially opened the awards.
The 2025 awards celebrated a broad range of investors and professional services. The winners were:
| Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year Sponsored by DunPort Capital Clearwater | Environmental, Social, and Governance Deal of the Year Sponsored by Development Capital Goodbody Capital Partners investment in Viotas |
| Corporate Law Firm of the Year McCann FitzGerald LLP | International PE Investment in Irish Company Deal of the Year AMCS investment by EQT Equity |
| Deal of the Year (Sub €2.5m) SME Equity Limited investment in Customs Window Technologies | Portfolio Deal of the Year MML exit of Kyte Powertech |
| Deal of the Year (€2.5m - €10m) Development Capital investment in Zartis | Rising Star Under 30 Mark Farrelly, HBAN |
| Deal of the Year (> €10m) Kennet Partners investment in Screendragon | Irish Private Equity House of the Year Sponsored by Byrne Wallace Shields MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland |
| Debt Funding Deal of the Year < €10m Beach Point Capital funding of Cool Planet | Irish VC House of the Year Act Venture Capital |
| Debt Funding Deal of the Year > €10m Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking funding of Mail Metrics strategic acquisition of Adare SEC | Lifetime Achievement Sponsored by Forvis Mazars Denis O'Brien |
| Due Diligence Team of the Year Sponsored by Business Post Azets Ireland |
For more information on the Irish Investor Awards please visit https://irishinvestorawards.ie/ #IIA2026
Contact
Jill Thornton
Head of Events, Ashville Media Group
E: events@ashvillemediagroup.com
T: 01 640 1777
Eilish Joyce
FleishmanHillard PR
E: Eilish.joyce@fleishmaneurope.com
M: 087 791 4641
Jill Thornton
Head of Events, Ashville Media Group
E: events@ashvillemediagroup.com
T: 01 640 1777
Eilish Joyce
FleishmanHillard PR
E: Eilish.joyce@fleishmaneurope.com
M: 087 791 4641
Irish Investor Awards
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Ashville Media Group
Unit 55 Park West Road
Park West Industrial Park
Dublin 12
t. +353 (0) 16401777
e. events@ashvillemediagroup.com
This email was sent to you though Prowly.com PR Software on behalf of Ashville Media Group
© Copyright 2018 - ASHVILLE MEDIA GROUP Ltd. | PRIVACY STATEMENT | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
