6 tech companies in Ireland that are changing the world

Why do tech investors invest where they invest?

It's a question that can be answered in many ways. But in our view, you can get close to a comprehensive answer by looking at the tech scene in Ireland.

Ireland has many draws for investors. It's home to world-class universities like Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. The government gives support to tech companies in the form of incentives and tax breaks. Additional financial support comes from venture capital firms and angel investors.

All these factors make Ireland a place where tech companies can grow. Success has a way of breeding success, with innovative start-ups popping up and exploring the outer limits of 21st-century tech.

You'll notice we're saying "Ireland", not "Dublin". This isn't just because we're based in Cork (AKA the most beautiful place on Earth). It's also that tech talent is making strides up and down the country.

In this article, we explore six tech companies in Ireland that are changing the world – right here, right now.

1. UrbanVolt

If the world plays its cards right, the 2020s could one day be seen as the Age of Decarbonisation. But the fact of the matter is that this can't be achieved without considerable investment.

Governments play a huge role. But forward-thinking companies like UrbanVolt are also helping to bring about change and build a sustainable future for Ireland and beyond.

It does this by providing businesses with "Solar-as-a-Service". Businesses get to use solar power without paying an upfront cost.

With operations in Ireland, the UK, the USA and Europe, UrbanVolt is instrumental in helping the business world transition to renewable power. 

2. Stripe

Ever made a payment online? Then chances are you've used Stripe – the Irish-American multinational that provides eCommerce websites and apps with payment-processing software.

Stripe is big business. In 2023, it was valued at around $65 billion. That's more than the entire African fintech market. And unlike some online services, Stripe gets used a lot. The figure is going up all the time, but in 2023 it had exceeded $1 trillion in total payment volume.

Online payment processes are now so embedded in our daily lives that it's hard to remember just how game-changing and disruptive Stripe has been. Vive la Stripe!

3. Nuritas

No round-up of world-changing tech would be complete without a mention of AI. It's the field of research and development that's grabbing the most headlines. And one of its most exciting applications is in the biotech industry.

Biotech doesn't make the news. But with the right investment, it could make the world a safer, healthier place to be.

That's the philosophy behind Dublin-based biotech firm Nuritas. Studying molecules and peptides in food can teach us a lot about their effects on the human body. But analysis needs to happen at scale. AI tools give companies the ability to analyse billions of the things.

And no, we're not using "billions" to mean "a surprisingly large amount". We mean billions. It's an impressive example of how AI can enhance human research to discover more about health and medicine.

4. Intercom

For as long as people have traded with one another, business messaging has been vital. From the first marketplaces to today's endless aisles, businesses need tools to effectively communicate with customers.

Multinational company Intercom provides businesses with game-changing software to enhance their business messaging. It's the world's only "AI-first customer service platform", promising efficiency, troubleshooting and good-as-human expertise.

With offices in Dublin, San Francisco, Chicago, Sydney and London, Intercom is a powerful player in an expanding market that could change how customers interact with businesses forever.

5. Google

If you've done a double-take at this one, we don't blame you. Google is North American, right?

Google isn't an Irish tech company. But it is a company that's sunk a significant investment into the country. Dublin is home to Google's European HQ and one of its data centres.