Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Atlantic Bridge launched a EUR 60 million investment fund aimed at early-stage companies emerging from Irish third-level institutions. The fund addresses the challenge of commercializing cutting-edge research from universities like University College Dublin (UCD) and Trinity College Dublin, which are ranked among the top 1% of higher education institutions globally. The initiative is designed to provide capital and expertise to help these companies scale into international markets, particularly the US and China.

The tailored solution involves leveraging Atlantic Bridge's established 'Bridge Model' for scaling technology companies, which has previously facilitated the international growth of firms such as Movidius and Swrve. This model is expected to enhance the commercialization of research and support the creation of spin-outs and start-ups from UCD and Trinity, which have collectively spun out over 60 companies in the last decade, securing more than EUR 200 million in investment.

The fund is supported by significant institutional investments, including commitments from Enterprise Ireland, AIB, and Bank of Ireland, which are all key players in the Irish technology ecosystem. This collaboration aims to stimulate job creation, enhance exports, and attract international investment, aligning with the strategic goals of Enterprise Ireland to commercialize Irish research and foster a vibrant funding ecosystem for startups. The initiative is anticipated to generate substantial economic impact by transforming research excellence into globally competitive businesses.