Ireland’s deep tech sector features ten companies advancing technologies from quantum computing and space tech to battery recycling and medical diagnostics, Silicon Republic reported. The country pushes well above its weight in global deep tech development through a combination of university networks and specialized startups.
Horizon Quantum Joins Nasdaq and Plans Dublin Testbed
Irish-founded and Singapore-based Horizon Quantum began trading on the Nasdaq earlier this year following a merger with special purpose acquisition company dMY Squared Technology Group. Dr Joe Fitzsimons founded the company in 2018 to build software infrastructure for developers utilizing quantum computing.
In June, the company announced plans to locate an IonQ 256-qubit system testbed at its European headquarters in Dublin. Horizon cited Ireland’s growing quantum ecosystem, university network, and talent pool as key reasons for the location choice.
Licovolt and Nax Bioscience Develop New Processing Technologies
University College Dublin spin-out Licovolt developed a chemical compound and process to recycle minerals from spent battery material and black mass. Dr Tony Keene, Dr Steven Ferguson, and Clint Zahmel founded the firm in 2024, securing an undisclosed investment from Davencor Holdings last year to extract critical minerals at reduced emissions and cost.
Meanwhile, life sciences start-up Nax Bioscience is developing nucleic acid extraction technology to improve genetic sequencing efficiency. Supported by the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund and NovaUCD, the emerging company was announced as one of the two inaugural winners of the Irish Genomics Business Plan Competition earlier this year and prepares for a 2027 spin-out.
Liroptic and Marama Labs Target Optical and Spectroscopy Markets
UCD spin-out LirOptic created an optical lens technology designed to improve smartphone camera performance. Prof Dominic Zerulla, Simon Forsyth, and Joe O’Keeffe co-founded the firm in 2020 to commercialize university research, later winning the Audience Choice Award at the Luminate NY accelerator programme.
In medtech, dually based New Zealand and Ireland firm Marama Labs developed Cloudspec, a UV-vis spectrophotometer capable of analyzing chemical composition inside cloudy liquids. CEO Brendan Darby co-founded the company in 2019 alongside Prof Eric Le Ru and Dr Matthias Meyer, earning the ‘most impressive deep-tech pioneer in Europe’ title at the Deep Tech Demo Day, run by Silicon Roundabout Ventures and Frontier Deep Tech last November.
Oscil and ProvenMetal Apply AI to Industrial Manufacturing
Dr Patrick Cronin founded Oscil, a venture emerging from Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund that won the EI Big Ideas award last year. The platform uses edge sensing and machine learning to provide real-time powder processing control for the pharmaceutical and dairy sectors.
Advanced manufacturing start-up ProvenMetal joined the Y Combinator accelerator programme this year. The San Francisco-based company builds benchtop x-ray systems employing artificial intelligence to inspect circuit boards for faults before deployment in aerospace, medical devices, and defense systems.
Space Technology Developments at Setanta Space Systems and Ubotica
Setanta Space Systems launched in 2025 as a NovaUCD-based venture founded by engineers with European Space Agency mission experience. In September, the space-tech firm sought to raise €3m for Danu, an onboard computer providing AI-powered satellite computing, radiation tolerance, and Earth observation analytics.
Dublin-based Ubotica raised $11m in funding led by Act Venture Capital and Greencode Ventures. The company collaborates with NASA and the European Space Agency, recently partnering with Novi Space to combine its AI platform with smart-satellite constellations for direct onboard data processing.
SiriusXT Commercializes Laboratory-Scale Soft X-Ray Microscopy
UCD spin-out SiriusXT created the SXT-100, which it calls the world’s first commercial, laboratory-based soft x-ray microscope for cell and tissue imaging. Paul Sheridan, Kenneth Fahy, Fergal O’Reilly, and Tony McEnroe founded the company in 2015.
The company designed the microscope to detect early cellular changes associated with developing diseases. McEnroe stated in 2025 that the company aims to expand global healthcare access to soft x-ray microscopy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Irish Deep Tech Firms
What quantum computing system is Horizon Quantum locating in Dublin?
Horizon Quantum is placing an IonQ 256-qubit system testbed at its European headquarters in Dublin. The company announced the deployment plan in June following its Nasdaq market debut earlier this year.
How does Marama Labs analyze chemical compositions?
Marama Labs utilizes a UV-vis spectrophotometer called Cloudspec. The device can analyze chemical compositions within cloudy liquids, a capability not previously possible.
What funding did Ubotica secure for its AI space platform?
Ubotica raised $11m in an investment round led by Act Venture Capital and Greencode Ventures. The Dublin-based company uses the capital to advance its AI-powered platform for maritime security and satellite data processing.
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