The U.S. Emerges as the Top Export Market for Irish Tech: Irish Startup Week New York Set to Strengthen Transatlantic Ties

With Irish tech exports to the US surging to over €1.1 billion in 2023, the USA has solidified its position as the largest export market for Enterprise Ireland tech companies. As Irish firms increasingly set their sights on scaling operations across the Atlantic, events like the Digital Irish’s Irish Startup Week in New York provide a great platform for Irish start-ups to learn, forge connections to help their growth in the USA. Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and Business Post, among other sponsors, Irish Startup Week 2024 will take place from October 1st through 3rd in New York City, aiming to deepen ties between the Irish and U.S. startup ecosystems and accelerate the growth of Irish businesses in America.

Irish Startup Week: A Catalyst for U.S. Expansion

Irish Startup Week 2024 arrives at a pivotal time for Irish tech companies seeking to expand their presence in the U.S. Over three days, the event will bring together a diverse mix of Irish startups, venture capitalists, Irish American tech leaders, angel investors, and ecosystem leaders with the aim of bridging the gap between the Irish and NYC tech ecosystems. 

With a comprehensive lineup of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking sessions, Irish Startup Week will provide participants with critical insights into both the U.S. and Irish startup landscapes. Key topics on the agenda include fundraising strategies, market entry tactics, and the nuanced differences between the Irish and American markets. Attendees will also hear success stories from companies who have successfully scaled their businesses in the U.S., offering invaluable lessons for startups ready to take the leap.

Similar to last year’s highly successful event, this year’s Irish Startup Week promises to offer a platform for companies to forge lasting connections that will help their growth in the U.S. market. Building these relationships is crucial, especially as Irish tech companies increasingly view the U.S. not just as a market to enter, but as a strategic hub for long-term growth.

Spotlight on Leading Irish Startups

The 17 Enterprise Ireland client companies participating in Irish Startup Week 2024, stand out for their innovative solutions across high-growth sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, healthcare, and augmented reality (AR). These startups are positioning themselves to tap into the lucrative U.S. market, bringing cutting-edge technologies to a range of industries. They include: 

Talio: A next-generation AI-powered market research platform, Talio accelerates research processes by providing businesses with real-time, actionable insights. Its co-pilot system is designed to streamline research workflows, helping companies make data-driven decisions more efficiently.

Imvizar: Specializing in augmented reality, Imvizar is creating immersive experiences for cities, towns, and tourist attractions. Its platform allows users to upload, share, and enjoy AR content, transforming the way people interact with their surroundings.

PrecisionSports: This software platform provides real-time exercise feedback and analysis, helping athletes reduce injury risks and maximize performance. PrecisionSports is gaining traction in the fitness and physiotherapy sectors, offering tools to enhance strength and conditioning training.

Capella: As hybrid work becomes the norm, Capella’s SaaS solution helps organizations manage flexible working environments. Its platform enables hot desk booking and remote workforce management, ensuring businesses can support staff whether they work from home or in the office.

Cytidel: With cybersecurity concerns on the rise, Cytidel offers a risk-based vulnerability management platform. Its solution helps organizations prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk, reducing breach exposure by up to 80%.

VisionR: VisionR is transforming in-store retail operations with its AI-driven plug-and-play solution, The Scout, which captures shopper data in brick-and-mortar stores. This technology provides retailers with the kind of insights typically only available in online environments.

MEG: A healthcare-focused digital quality management system, MEG is used by providers in over 20 countries. The platform simplifies time-consuming processes related to care quality, patient safety, and compliance, allowing healthcare organizations to focus on improving patient outcomes.

Enterprise Ireland: Supporting U.S. Market Expansion

With six offices across the USA, including an office in the new Ireland House building recently opened in New York, Enterprise Ireland is instrumental in supporting the entry of Irish tech companies into the U.S. market and helping them to scale. Over the past 18 months alone, Enterprise Ireland has supported 80 companies to establish new presences in the USA. The USA is now the second largest country export market for Enterprise Ireland client companies, having achieved a record €5.9bn exports to the USA in 2023.

In addition to sponsoring Irish Startup Week, Enterprise Ireland is hosting two days of focused events aimed at supporting startups with their go-to-market strategies. These events include a bootcamp at Stripe’s New York office, where Enterprise Ireland companies like SVB, Version 1, and Newswhip will share insights on scaling in the U.S. Enterprise Ireland will also host an Irish fintech showcase, inviting Irish startups to pitch to investors, as well as hosting a session with law firm BakerHostetler LLP covering a range of topics from entity formation to seed and venture financing. 

For Irish startups, cracking the U.S. market represents not just an opportunity for growth but a strategic imperative in a globalised economy. By fostering deeper connectivity between the Irish and U.S. ecosystems, next week’s series of events, will help lay the groundwork for the next wave of Irish tech companies to “crack” America. 

See the profiles of the 17 Enterprise Ireland companies taking part in Irish Startup Week 2024 New York  - visit the Irish Innovation Directory