Enterprise Ireland has launched a new report, powered by PitchBook data on Ireland’s sports tech sector.
The report highlights Ireland’s robust domestic sports tech sector, which is home to 93 VC-backed sports tech companies, including 40 homegrown global innovators.
These companies include Orreco, Kitman Labs and Output Sports, who joined Enterprise Ireland for the launch of the report.
All three companies are working with NFL teams and numerous other global sporting brands, including the NBA, NHL, PGA Tour, F1, Olympians, the Premier League, and Premiership Rugby.
Examining the VC level of activity in Irish sports tech, the report shows that Ireland’s sports tech ecosystem has notably defied the recent downward trend in VC activity seen in other regions since 2022.
The number of Irish sports tech VC deals increased by more than 50% in 2023, compared to a decline of over 30% for Europe as a whole during the same period.
In 2024, Ireland’s deal count grew by an additional 47.1%, while broader European deal count declined again by 15.5%.
Since 2014, Irish sports tech start-ups have collectively raised over €224 million in VC funding across 181 transactions.
Notable VC funding rounds include Kitman Labs (€71.1 million raised) and Xtremepush (€18.6 million) and Output Sports with €4.5 million raised in 2025.
Year-to-date 2025 data show that Ireland ranks seventh in Europe for total sports tech VC deal count, despite its relatively small population.
On a per-capita basis, this ranking rises to first, and Ireland has maintained a top-four ranking nearly every year over the past decade.
Enterprise Ireland has emerged as a central force in shaping the sports tech investment landscape, not only in Ireland but across Europe.
Since 2024, it has led the region in deal activity with 19 sports tech investments — more than triple the number recorded by the next most active investors.
“The Irish sports tech industry has expanded rapidly over the past ten years, both in terms of the number of companies, but also in the level of investment they have attracted and the impact they are achieving internationally working with global sports leagues,” said Keith Brock, Enterprise Ireland’s Senior Client Advisor for Enterprise Solutions.
“Across Enterprise Ireland’s portfolio of sports tech companies, there are 89 active or pending patents covering wearable devices, augmented reality, diagnostic, exercise equipment and equine health.”
“This level of patents points to the strong level of R&D and innovation happening in the sector, which in turn is accelerating the international sports industry from athlete performance to fan engagement.”
“We are proud of Enterprise Ireland’s role in supporting the Irish sports tech industry, leading sports tech investment not only in Ireland, but in Europe, with 19 sports tech investment since 2024 alone. However, while Enterprise Ireland has been backing the Irish sports tech industry, the industry has also attracted major global VC investment including from Octopus Ventures (UK), Partech (France) and Apex Capital (Portugal).”
The latest Sport for Business POdcast, dropping later today is an in-depth interview with Stephen Smith, Founder of Kitman Labs.
Download the report on Ireland’s sports tech industry
pitchbook-report-ireland-s-sports-tech-landscape-en-164772.pdf
Image Credit: Sport for Business
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