GEC start-ups made €140m in revenues last year

Start-up companies supported by the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), including graduate and current resident companies, have generated €2.5 billion in revenues over the last 25 years.

In 2025, GEC-based start-ups made €140m in revenues.

The GEC is Ireland's largest start-up hub and has launched an economic impact study to mark 25 years since it was built on the site of an old warehouse attached to the Guinness brewery.

The research shows that the GEC has supported more than 1,500 start-ups by providing space, mentoring programmes and funding pathways.

According to the study, previous and current resident start-ups are now supporting 13,225 jobs per year.

Carried out by KHSK Economic Consultants and commissioned by the GEC, the report found that the 160 businesses based at the GEC returned €31 million to the exchequer in 2025.

They produced €73 million in exports and anticipate average revenue growth of close to 70% in 2026, highlighting their market opportunity across key sectors including sustainability, healthcare and AI.

The resident companies employed 743 people in 2025, of which 86% are recent college graduates.

"Our Economic Impact Report showcases the standards the GEC has set for success, with notable graduates including Havoc – sold to Intel for $110 million in 2007 – and Adaptive Media, acquired by Enea for $45 million," Niamh Collins, Centre Director, Guinness Enterprise Centre said.

"We are helping to build international success stories from Ireland and will continue this momentum well into the future," she added.

The founding partners of the GEC are Diageo, Dublin City Council, Dublin City Local Enterprise Office, Enterprise Ireland and Furthr.