Ireland saw a record high in company start-ups in the first half of 2026, with almost 15,000 new businesses established across the country. This increase in company formations is 13% higher compared to the same period last year, according to new figures from credit risk analyst firm Vision-net by CRIF.
A total of 14,949 new companies were registered during the first half of 2026, marking the strongest half-year performance for business creation since records began. Key economic sectors, including IT, motor, manufacturing, and construction, saw positive growth, with IT experiencing a 62% increase.
County-Level Growth
18 counties saw an increase in start-ups for the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Notably, Wicklow experienced a 31% increase, followed by Kilkenny at 26%, Louth at 21%, Kildare at 16%, and Donegal at 12%. Counties with large urban populations, including Dublin, Limerick, Cork, and Galway, also saw a positive first half of the year in new start-ups.
Christine Cullen, managing director of Vision-net by CRF, highlighted the significant drop in commercial and consumer judgments during the first half of 2026 as a positive indicator for Ireland’s economy. Commercial judgments decreased by 45% in value to €15 million, while their volume fell by 18% year-on-year. This suggests Irish businesses are effectively managing liquidity despite global economic challenges.
Financial Resilience
The firm noted that the environment represents a significant reduction in systemic credit risk, paving the way for greater investment confidence and smoother scaling. Coupled with a substantial 15% decrease in the number of consumer judgments, and a 58% drop in the value of consumer judgments, it is clear that financial resilience is strengthening across the board. Stronger household balance sheets directly translate to robust consumer confidence, which is the ultimate fuel for domestic entrepreneurship and retail growth.
Cullen said, “The figures for the first half of 2026 paint a remarkably resilient picture of the Irish business situation. Witnessing a 13% year-on-year increase in new company start-ups, totaling nearly 15,000 new businesses, is a clear indicator that entrepreneurial spirit and consumer confidence are holding steady, even against a backdrop of ongoing global economic uncertainty.”
