Enterprise Ireland Innovative High Potential Start-Up Fund
Innovative HPSU Fund (iHPSU)
Open continuously
No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.
The iHPSU page states 'Up to €1.2 million' in its at-a-glance panel, while Enterprise Ireland's startup landing page describes 'co-funded equity investment of up to €800,000'. Both figures appear on Enterprise Ireland's own site; treat €800,000 as the commonly quoted headline and €1.2m as the stated upper bound, and confirm with EI before relying on either. Co-funding model: Enterprise Ireland does not lead investment rounds and requires external investment to be raised first.
You must co-fund 50%.
Enterprise Ireland
public · national
Deadline: rolling — No published deadline; engagement is via Enterprise Ireland's High Potential Start-Up Unit and is tied to the company's private investment round.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.
You fund 50% yourself.
Who can apply
- Under 5 years old
- Sectors: deeptech, manufacturing, health, ai, climate
- Stage: seed, series_a
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
A High Potential Start-Up is defined as introducing a new product or service to international markets that is truly innovative and disruptive with some form of protectable IP; involved in manufacturing or internationally traded services; capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and €1 million in annual sales within three years of starting; led by an experienced management team residing in Ireland; headquartered and controlled in Ireland; and less than five years old from the date of company registration. Must have an MVP and some commercial traction.
How to apply
- Confirm you meet the HPSU definition and engage with Enterprise Ireland's HPSU Unit. — link
- Raise external private investment — Enterprise Ireland co-invests and does not lead rounds.
- Submit a business plan and financial projections for appraisal.
- If approved, Enterprise Ireland takes an equity stake alongside the private investors.
What you will need
- Investor-ready business plan
- Financial projections
- Evidence of committed external investment
Source. https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/innovative-hpsu-fund — checked 2026-08-14
"Capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and realising €1 million in annual sales within three years of starting ... Less than five years old from the date of your company's registration ... Enterprise Ireland's iHPSU fund operates on a co-funding model. We do not lead on investment rounds"