Irish Investor Awards 2026

Now in its third year, the Irish Investor Awards, in association with Forvis Mazars, returns to recognise the remarkable achievements of Ireland's venture capital and private equity community. As the investment landscape adapts to shifting global conditions, the 2026 awards will highlight the individuals and firms helping Irish businesses navigate change, seize new opportunities and scale with confidence.

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.

Ireland’s investment ecosystem remains active and resilient. Recent figures from the Irish Venture Capital Association show that €1.48 billion was invested in Irish technology SMEs in 2024, with early 2025 data indicating continued investor appetite to back high-potential Irish companies. This ongoing commitment underlines the crucial role investment plays in supporting the growth and evolution of Ireland’s SME sector.

The Irish Investor Awards offer a unique platform to celebrate the investors, advisers and industry leaders whose insight, capital and guidance enable businesses to grow, innovate and contribute meaningfully to Ireland’s economic progress. Being recognised as a finalist reflects not only excellence in investment practice but also a contribution to the wider business ecosystem.

At the launch of the 2026 Irish Investor Awards, John Bowe, Corporate Finance Partner at Forvis Mazars, stated, “Ireland’s private equity and venture capital community continues to demonstrate resilience, ambition and a strong commitment to partnership. Investors are not only providing capital but working closely with management teams to strengthen governance, open new markets, drive digital transformation and support sustainable growth.

“The Irish Investor Awards were established to showcase that contribution and to celebrate the people shaping the next chapter of Irish enterprise. At Forvis Mazars, we remain committed to supporting a sector that plays such an important role in developing and growing businesses that deliver long-term value.”

Entries are now open via the official awards website. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 12 February 2026, with winners to be announced at a black-tie ceremony in the historic Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin, on Friday, 15 May 2026.

The awards will be judged by a panel of industry professionals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a thorough, unbiased evaluation process. Their collective expertise guarantees that each nominee is assessed with precision and care, celebrating the unique contributions and accomplishments of every finalist.

For more information and to submit your entry, visit www.irishinvestorawards.ie

About the 2025 Irish Investor Awards

More than 450 finalists, winners and guests from the Irish investment community and their advisors attended the gala event in the Round Room at the Mansion House on Friday, 9 May 2025.

The awards attracted over 100 submissions from more than 45 private equity and venture capital firms and their professional services advisers. We were delighted to have welcomed Minister Jack Chambers, who officially opened the awards.

The 2025 awards celebrated a broad range of investors and professional services. The winners were:

• Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year: Clearwater
• Corporate Law firm of the Year: McCann FitzGerald
• Deal of the Year (€2.5m - €10m): Development Capital
• Deal of the Year (sub €2.5m): SME Equity
• Deal of the Year (above €10m): Kennet
• Debt funding deal of the Year <€10m: Bank of Ireland
• Debt funding deal of the Year >€10m: Beach Point Capital Management
• Due Diligence Team of the Year: Azets
• Environmental, Social, and Governance Deal of the Year: Goodbody
•  International PE investment in Irish company Deal of the Year: EQT Private Equity
• Irish Private Equity House of the Year: MML Growth Capital Partners
• Irish VC House of the Year: ACT Venture Capital
• Rising Star under 30: Mark Farrelly, HBAN
• Portfolio Deal of the Year: MML
• Lifetime Achievement: Denis O’Brien