Bridging Ireland’s scale-up transition gap

Ireland has a strong track record of creating innovative, high-growth businesses. Yet many Irish-founded companies struggle to make the transition from early-stage success to sustainable growth at global scale. This research examines that “transition gap” and what it takes to overcome it.

Developed by PwC in collaboration with Select Strategies, the research draws on the perspectives of more than ten operators, investors, and ecosystem leaders who have built or supported leading Irish growth businesses. Collectively, the organisations represented generate more than €11 billion in revenue, employ over 32,000 people, and operate across more than 200 markets.

The findings show that the transition gap is not caused by a lack of ambition. It emerges from interconnected challenges across three areas: capital, capability, and culture. Businesses need access to the right capital at the right time, experienced scaling leaders, governance suited to their next stage of growth, and a willingness to evolve founder-led structures and ways of working.

Scaling is not a linear journey. Successful businesses continually adapt their operating models, leadership structures and routes to growth as they enter new markets and become more complex. Closing the transition gap could help Ireland develop a stronger domestic enterprise base, improve economic resilience, and enable more Irish-founded businesses to compete internationally.

The report was authored by David McGee, Partner, PwC Ireland, Paul O’Dea, Managing Director, Select Strategies, Alex Davies, Manager, PwC Ireland, and Dr. Sarah Bohan, Programme Manager, Select Strategies.