With its scale and patient capital approach, ISIF is well placed to support the talented pool of emerging and established entrepreneurs in Ireland. To further this goal, ISIF’s strategy in venture capital is to contribute to a continuum of funding options from start-up through to growth equity and PE, creating a supportive environment for the most promising Irish start-ups to scale and compete in global markets.
As at the end of 2021, ISIF held a mature and well diversified portfolio of nearly €1.0bn of commitments to venture capital partnerships. ISIF’s unique mandate allows it to partner with local venture firms – essential for building and anchoring local syndicates at the earliest stages of company formation – as well as top-tier international firms that bring specialist experience and networks and promise accelerated market access – essential for scaling businesses internationally from Ireland.
ISIF seeks to balance its investments predominantly between IP-driven ICT and life sciences balancing between generalists and sector specialists recognising that there are few sectors not transformed by technology and that the convergence of technologies offers up new opportunities for Ireland to capitalise on.
ISIF’s manager selection process prioritises team experience, diversity, ESG considerations, reputation, track record, firm network (both local and international), and expected impact in the Irish market.
Podcast: NTMA Talks - ISIF the Golden Age of Venture Capital
Venture capital partnership that will focus on early and later stage neuromodulation and connected health opportunities in the US and Ireland.
China Ireland Technology Growth Fund II
€75m commitment in Fund to focus on high-growth companies seeking access to Irish and Chinese markets
Polaris Partners VIII
Global venture capital fund actively investing in Ireland focused on technology and healthcare.
Frontline EMEA Expansion Fund
Expansion stage venture capital fund targeting North American software companies entering the EMEA marketplace.
Frontline Ventures Fund III
Fund focusing on high potential software companies with an Irish presence
Strategic Investors Fund X
Commitment to a new venture capital fund-of-funds building on the longstanding relationship between ISIF and Silicon Valley Bank.
Fountain Healthcare Partners III
Venture fund providing risk capital and expertise to entrepreneurs developing life sciences companies
Lightstone Ventures II
Specialist US-based venture capital fund of $250m focused on medical devices and biopharmaceuticals
Atlantic Bridge Fund IV
Venture Fund focused on investing primarily at the expansion capital and growth equity stages in companies that have started to scale
Illumina Ventures Innovation Fund I
Invests in transformative, industry disruptive, technology driven companies in life and physical sciences.
Arch Ventures IX Overage Fund
Invests in transformative, industry disruptive, technology driven companies in life and physical sciences.
ACT Ventures V
Primarily Irish focused venture capital fund of €92m investing in growing ICT companies in Ireland
Highland Europe Technology Growth Fund II
Growth equity fund of €330m that invests in rapidly growing internet, mobile and software companies
Draper Esprit
Listed venture capital fund making diversified investments in private high growth technology companies
Act Ventures VI
Fund focusing on investing in high potential technology companies located
primarily in Ireland.
SIF- Ascension I, L.P.
Fund of funds focusing on supporting the next generation of venture capital
fund managers in the technology and life sciences sector
Seroba Life Sciences Fund IV L.P.
Dublin headquartered European venture capital firm – Fund IV will invest in earlystage Biotech and Medical device companies in Ireland, Western EU and the US.
Polaris Innovation Fund II
Fund aims to accelerate the commercial and therapeutic potential of earlystage academic research, focusing on company creation and growth through an active investment model.
Scottish Equity Partners Fund VI (SEP VI LP)
Private equity investments in growth stage technology businesses in the UK, Ireland and Europe.
Frontline EMEA Expansion Fund II LP
Venture capital focusing on sourcing high quality FDI into Ireland.
Illumina Innovation Fund II, L.P.
Fund will support early-stage companies across the US and EU that are pioneering breakthroughs in life science tools, clinical diagnostics, therapeutics platforms, digital health, and other applications of genomics.
Lightstone Ventures Fund III, L.P.
Fund will invest in early stage, therapeutic-oriented companies in the US, EU and Asia, as well as opportunistic late-stage opportunities.
