Irish Investor Awards celebrates achievement across industry

More than 450 investors, business leaders and financial professionals gathered at the Round Room at the Mansion House on Friday, May 15th, for the Irish Investor Awards 2026, recognising leading private equity and venture capital transactions and achievements across the Irish market.

Hosted by Virgin Media news presenter Colette Fitzpatrick, the event, now in its third year, has become an established fixture in Ireland’s investment calendar, highlighting the firms and individuals shaping the domestic investment landscape.

This year’s awards attracted a record number of high-calibre submissions across 14 categories, reflecting continued activity and ambition within Ireland’s investment and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Guests heard keynote addresses from Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris and Tom O’Brien, managing partner at Forvis Mazars Ireland, who acknowledged the strength and resilience of the sector amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Volkswagen Golf GTI at 50: the fastest half-century

‘Investment scams are rife: here’s how to protect yourself’

‘The next era of work is much more human than we think’

Innovation pipeline strengthened with €10.5m funding initiative

In his address, the Tánaiste outlined several measures to support Irish firms in scaling internationally, including initiatives focused on competitiveness, access to capital and the growth of indigenous enterprises.

Tánaiste and Minister of Finance Simon Harris delivering his keynote speech. Photograph: Stuart McNamara

Winners and finalists were selected by an independent judging panel comprising 22 senior figures from across the financial services and investment community.

Among the winners on the night was Waterland Private Equity, which received both the Irish private equity house of the year and environmental, social and governance deal of the year awards. SME Equity was also recognised, taking home the deal of the year (sub €5m) award.

The awards were supported by sponsors including DunPort Capital, Development Capital, Business Post, Whelehans Wines, with Forvis Mazars Ireland as the headline sponsor.

John Bowe, corporate finance partner of Forvis Mazars, honouring John Purdy, former founder of Ergo, in memoriam, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Photograph: Paul Sherwood.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the lifetime achievement award, posthumously awarded to John Purdy, founder of Ergo and a widely respected figure within Ireland’s technology and investment sectors. Under his leadership, Ergo grew into a €200 million technology business and played a key role in the development of Fenergo, one of Ireland’s leading fintech success stories. The award was accepted on behalf of the Purdy family by Conal O’Donnell, chief executive of Ergo.

With strong participation, growing industry engagement and a record level of submissions in 2026, the Irish Investor Awards continue to reflect the depth of innovation, investment activity and entrepreneurial ambition across Ireland’s private equity and venture capital community.

2026 winners

Corporate finance advisory firm of the year (sponsored by DunPort Capital)

IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory

James O’Neill, Matthew Donellan, Ben Murphy, Conor Hoban, Michael Murray, David Banks, Robert Pender, Rebecca Conellan, David Lyons (second row) and Raymond Donegan (kneeling) from IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Corporate law firm of the year

McCann FitzGerald LLP

Ben Gaffikin, partner, McCann FitzGerald; Eleanor Blagbrough, co-founding partner, Blume Equity; Gary McSharry, partner, McCann FitzGerald; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara

Deal of the year (€5m-€10m) (sponsored by Business Post)

Renatus Capital Partners – Investment in Strata Financial

Conor Mehigan, investment director, Renatus Capital Partners; Noel Killeen, special reports sales manager, Business Post; Dominic Kelly, managing director, Strata Financial; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara

Deal of the year (sub €5m)

SME Equity Limited – Investment in WorkCompass, acquired by Invincible Software Holdings

Johnny Dunne, founder, SME Equity; Eimear Moloney, non-executive director; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara

Deal of the year (> €10m)

BGF – Investment in CWC Group

Leo Casey, Donagh Rice, Micheál Walsh, Joe Higgins, Chris Nixon, Aisling Byrne (chief executive, CWC Group), MJ Murphy, and Adam Crinion from BGF. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Debt funding deal of the year < €10m

Claret Capital Partners – Investment in Neurent Medical

Tánaiste and Minister of Finance Simon Harris; David Bateman, managing partner, Claret Capital Partners; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara

Debt funding deal of the year > €10m

Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking, Tikehau Capital & Clearwater – Debt provided as financing package for Towerbrook investment in GMC Utilities Group (Ireland)