Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, high numbers of businesses closing, rising operating costs and tighter access to finance, Irish entrepreneurship continues to gather momentum. The latest figures for the first half of 2026 paint a remarkably positive picture, with new company formations reaching their highest level on record.

A total of 14,949 new companies were established during the first six months of the year, representing a 13% increase compared with the same period in 2025. If this pace continues, Ireland could see close to 30,000 new companies registered by the end of the year – an unprecedented level of business formation.

June was the strongest month of the year so far, with 2,744 new companies incorporated, suggesting that entrepreneurial confidence has remained resilient despite the wider economic backdrop.

The growth has not been limited to a single industry. Technology continues to be one of the strongest-performing sectors, with computer-related businesses recording a 62% increase in start-ups. Significant growth was also seen across the motor sector (31%), manufacturing (26%), construction (22%) and education (28%). The breadth of these figures suggests that investment and innovation are taking place across a wide range of industries rather than being concentrated in one area of the economy.

Regional growth is equally encouraging. Eighteen counties recorded year-on-year increases in company formations, demonstrating that business confidence extends well beyond Ireland’s largest cities. Wicklow led the way with a 31% increase, followed by Kilkenny (26%), Louth (21%), Galway (18%) and Kildare (16%). Dublin, Cork and Limerick also reported healthy increases, highlighting balanced growth across both established commercial centres and regional economies.

While company formations provide one measure of business confidence, the wider financial picture is also encouraging. Alongside record start-up activity, commercial judgements (when someone takes a company through the court system to recover debt), fell significantly during the first half of the year, while consumer judgements also declined. Although many factors contribute to these trends, they suggest that businesses and households are generally managing financial pressures more effectively than in previous years.

Of course, challenges remain. Higher operating costs, inflationary pressures and relatively tight lending conditions continue to affect many businesses. However, the willingness of almost 15,000 entrepreneurs to establish new companies during the first half of the year demonstrates a high level of confidence in Ireland as a place to do business.

The figures, published by credit risk analyst Vision-net by CRIF, provide an encouraging reminder that even during periods of economic uncertainty, entrepreneurship, innovation and long-term investment continue to drive the Irish economy forward.