AXISBIC HELP HIGH GROWTH START-UPS TO RAISE €43.6 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS
25 June, 2025
Pictured; Niall O'Keeffe, Cork City Council; Peigín Crowley, Ground Wellbeing; John Forde, Cork County Council & Larry O'Donoghue, AxisBIC
Growing number of female founders engaging with start-up programmes in the South West
AxisBIC has worked with 46 High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) to raise €43.6 million over the three years from 2022 to 2024. The figures were unveiled ahead of this year’s AxisBIC Start-Up Showcase, which is a celebration of the South West and Mid-West region’s High Growth Start-Ups at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
Of the 46 HPSUs that raised money during this timeframe, 41% were female founders. Women also made up 36% of the 28 companies that raised €2.9 million Pre-Seed Start Funding (PSSF) with support from AxisBIC.
AxisBIC has been driving innovation and fostering the growth of start-ups in the South West and Mid-West of Ireland for more than 35-years. The organisation provides support and essential business expertise to entrepreneurs to help them grow and succeed.
AxisBIC worked with 236 start-ups between 2022 and 2024 supporting 97 Investor Ready Start-ups to pitch to investors.
The team at AxisBIC works closely with each entrepreneur to develop a well-tested business plan, raise investment, manage business propositions, and arrange agreements with shareholders and investors. The organisation has an extensive network of partners including Enterprise Ireland, local authorities, universities, investors, business bodies and seasoned entrepreneurs across Ireland and internationally.
The Start-Up Showcase is one of the flagship initiatives of the Growth Pathway Programme, delivered by AxisBIC in partnership with Cork City Council, and Cork County Council.
Larry O’Donoghue, CEO of AxisBIC said: “There has been a tremendous level of skill and talent in the start-ups that AxisBIC has worked with over the last three years and we are particularly pleased to see a high percentage of female founders raising funds through our programmes. We hope that it encourages more founders to take that first all-important step to looking for advice and supports when setting up on their own. We have heard some incredibly inspirational stories at the Start-Up Showcase and we wish all the companies the very best of luck in the future.”