Announcing the 2026 Finalists: Irish Investor Awards in association with Forvis Mazars 2026 Sets the Stage for a Night of Excellence in Private Equity and Venture Capital Investment
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.
The excitement is palpable as the Irish Investor Awards unveils this year's finalists for its highly anticipated event, celebrating excellence in the realms of private equity and venture capital investment. The competition was fierce and the standard of was exceptional.
After meticulous deliberation, the judges have selected a stellar lineup of finalists who have demonstrated unparalleled innovation, leadership, and impact in the investment community. Their outstanding achievements represent the pinnacle of excellence in the field, setting a standard for others to aspire to.
"We extend our sincerest gratitude to the distinguished and experienced panel of judges for their dedication and expertise in evaluating this year's submissions," said Jill Thornton, Event Coordinator of the Irish Investor Awards. "Their rigorous assessment process has ensured that the most deserving finalists have been selected, reflecting the highest standards of achievement and innovation in private equity and venture capital investment."
As we prepare to honor these exceptional individuals and firms, we would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our headline sponsor, Forvis Mazars, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in making this event possible. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to all our sponsors for their invaluable contributions in supporting our mission to celebrate excellence in the investment industry.
Set to take place on May 15th, 2026, at Dublin’s historic Round Room at the Mansion House, the exclusive Irish Investor Awards Gala Dinner promises an evening of recognition, networking, and inspiration. Tickets for the ceremony are now available for purchase here. Don't miss this opportunity to join us in celebrating the achievements of the brightest minds in private equity and venture capital investment.
For more information on the Irish Investor Awards please visit https://irishinvestorawards.ie/ or interview request, contact the Events Team on (01) 640-1777 or email events@ashvillemediagroup.com. #IIA2026
| Irish Investor Awards 2026 Finalists |
| Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year AZETS Bay Advisory CKS Finance Clearwater Corporate Finance Deloitte Ernst & Young IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory KPMG Ireland PKF Brenson Lawlor Corporate Finance RSM Ireland TowerView |
| Corporate Law Firm of the Year Addleshaw Goddard (Ireland) LLP Browne Jacobson Byrne Wallace Shields Crowley Millar Solicitors LLP Dentons Ireland Flynn O'Driscoll LLP McCann FitzGerald LLP Philip Lee LLP Pinsent Masons Ireland LLP Taylor Wessing Ireland LLP The Maples Group Whitney Moore LLP |
| Deal of the Year (€5m - €10m) BGF Investment in Clearsphere BGF Investment in Granite Digital Renatus Capital Partners Investment in Strata Financial |
| Deal of the Year (Sub €5m) BGF Investment in CroíValve Blackstone backed acquisition by Rover Group of Gudog, advised by CKS Finance EIIS Management Investment in Revive Environmental International Fairstone Ireland Investment in Premier Financial Foresight Group Investment into Little Rays Salica Investments Investment in Cirdan Imaging Limited SME Equity Investment in WorkCompass, acquired by Invincible Software Holding |
| Deal of the Year > €10m Atlantic Bridge investment in Equal 1 BGF investment in CWC Group Erisbeg investment in Forte Pespa Foresight Group investment in Hospital Services Limited Graham Partners Smithstown Engineering Investment advised by Deloitte Kester Capital investment in Nutritics (advised by Deloitte, IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory & EY) MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland Ltd invests in Mitchell McDermott Quintas Capital investment in The Petal Group Synova investment in Klearcom TowerBrook Capital Partners minority investment in GMC Utilities Group (Ireland) advised by ClearWater TowerView investment in Fairway0 Waterland Private Equity investment in Cruinn Diagnostics, advsised by EY (FDD & Tax) and IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory |
| Debt Funding Deal of the Year < €10m Beach Point Capital funding in Irish Medtech Sector Debt Financing CKS Finance funding of Charlies Childcare Limited Claret Capital Partners investmnet in Neurent Medical DunPort Capital Management investment in Herdwatch Salica Investments debt investment in Cirdan Imaging Limited |
| Debt Funding Deal of the Year > €10m AIB financing of Embrace Community Services Ltd Bank of Ireland & Investec funding of ORS Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking debt provided as financing package for Towerbrook investment in GMC, advised by Clearwater Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking funding of Blacksheep’s Recapitalisation of Distilled Ltd BOI and Investec debt facilities to ORS advised by Clearwater Claret Capital Partners investmnet in Deciphex DunPort Capital Management funding of Cruinn Diagnostics |
| Due Diligence Team of the Year Ernst & Young KPMG Ireland RSM Ireland |
| Environmental, Social, and Governance Deal of the Year AIB Capital Markets financing of Lidl Ireland Claret Capital Partners' investment in VIOTAS EIIS Management Investments' investment in Revive Environmental International Equitix's sale of Firmus Energy (Supply) by Equitix and Firmus Energy (Distribution) to Yuno Group advised by IBI Foresight Group investment into Little Rays HitecVision and Reinova Partners acquisition of Greencoat assets by Lirion Power advised by KPMG Origin Enterprises plc sale of Scott Cawley Ltd to Origin Enterprises plc advised by IBI powered by DC Advisers Salica Investments' investment in Cirdan Imaging Limited TowerView investment in Fairways Waterland Private Equity acquisition of Hometherm by NetZero Group |
| International PE investment in Irish company Deal of the Year Apax Partners' acquisition of D4H, advised by IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory Atlantic Bridge investment in Equal 1 Basalt Infrastructure Partners' acquisition of Chemcho, advised by IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory Exponent investment in Chanelle Pharma Exponent investment in Chanelle Pharma Graham Partners investment advised by Deloitte Graycliff Partners' acquisition of Nualight by Fulham Co. Inc. Kester Capital investment in Nutritics (advised by Deloitte, advised by IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory & EY) Synova investment in Klearcom |
| Irish Private Equity House of the Year Winner to be announced on the night |
| Irish VC House of the Year Winner to be announced on the night |
| Lifetime Achievement Winner to be announced on the night |
| Portfolio Deal of the Year Alliance Group acquisition by Dawn Meats Group advised by IBI powered by DC Advisory Black & White Engineering acquisition of Homan O'Brien & Co. Ltd advised by Pinsent Masons Fairstone Ireland's acquisition of Premier Financial Foresight Group investment in Hospital Services Limited Goodbody Capital Partners' sale of Johnson Hana Waterland Private Equity's acquisition of EEW Ltd (“EEW”) by Bellew Group |
| Rising Star Under 30 Solley O'Connor, Goodbody Capital Partners Hilary O’Driscoll, Interpath Caoimhín Rafferty, KPMG Ireland Maria Traynor, KPMG Ireland Liam Holland, Quintas Capital Ross Halpin, SME Equity Limited |
Contact
Jill Thornton, Ashville Media Group
Jill Thornton, Ashville Media Group
Email: Jill.Thornton@ashvillemediagroup.com
Number: 01-6401777
About the Irish Investor Awards
Now in its third year, the Irish Investor Awards, in association with Forvis Mazars, proudly returns to celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s venture capital and private equity community. Building on the success of previous years, the 2026 event will highlight the pivotal role investors play in shaping the Irish SME landscape and driving economic innovation, especially in times when geopolitical tensions are high.
About Forvis Mazars
Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network established on 1 June 2024. It brings together the previously known Mazars international partnership and FORVIS, a top-ranked firm in the United States.
Operating as an internationally integrated partnership in over 100 countries and territories, they leverage their global expertise and scale to deliver cutting-edge services in audit, assurance, tax, consulting, financial advisory, corporate finance and financial outsourcing.
With over 950 staff across offices in Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick, the Irish firm draws on the expertise of more than 40,000 professionals to assist major international corporates, SMEs, financial institutions and public bodies in achieving their strategic and business goals.
To find out more, visit the Forvis Mazars website.
Operating as an internationally integrated partnership in over 100 countries and territories, they leverage their global expertise and scale to deliver cutting-edge services in audit, assurance, tax, consulting, financial advisory, corporate finance and financial outsourcing.
With over 950 staff across offices in Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick, the Irish firm draws on the expertise of more than 40,000 professionals to assist major international corporates, SMEs, financial institutions and public bodies in achieving their strategic and business goals.
To find out more, visit the Forvis Mazars website.
Irish Investor Awards
Ashville Media Group
Unit 55 Park West Road
Park West Industrial Park
Dublin 12
Ashville Media Group
Unit 55 Park West Road
Park West Industrial Park
Dublin 12
Tel: 01 640 1777
Email: events@ashvillemediagroup.com
This email was sent to you though Prowly.com PR Software on behalf of Ashville Media Group
© Copyright 2025 - ASHVILLE MEDIA GROUP Ltd. | PRIVACY STATEMENT | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© Copyright 2025 - ASHVILLE MEDIA GROUP Ltd. | PRIVACY STATEMENT | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
