Find a Cofounder in Cork
Cork is home to over 13,326 aspiring entrepreneurs. Join 1,300+ founders already on Foundersbase - be among the first 50 joining in Cork and start your founder journey today!
Find your cofounder →↓ More on Cork founders

Entrepreneurship in Cork

Entrepreneurship in Cork
Entrepreneurship in Cork
Ireland's second city and maritime gateway, Cork combines pharmaceutical manufacturing excellence with emerging technology strengths and quality of life advantages in southern Ireland. This historic port specializes in life sciences, cybersecurity, and increasingly agritech innovations, supported by institutions like University College Cork and Tyndall National Institute for ICT research. Startup founders in Cork access specialized technical talent particularly in pharmaceutical sciences and cybersecurity, operating costs approximately 30% below Dublin levels, and strategic position serving both Irish and international markets through the city's harbor. The ecosystem features organizations including Republic of Work and CorkBIC, with particular strength in technologies addressing pharmaceutical manufacturing optimization and data security. Cork's combination of life sciences manufacturing excellence, growing information security capabilities, and genuine Irish character with less intense competition than Dublin creates opportunities for entrepreneurs developing health technologies, security solutions, or innovations addressing food and agricultural challenges – all supported by Ireland's business-friendly environment and EU membership with English-language advantages.
Ireland's second city and maritime gateway, Cork combines pharmaceutical manufacturing excellence with emerging technology strengths and quality of life advantages in southern Ireland. This historic port specializes in life sciences, cybersecurity, and increasingly agritech innovations, supported by institutions like University College Cork and Tyndall National Institute for ICT research. Startup founders in Cork access specialized technical talent particularly in pharmaceutical sciences and cybersecurity, operating costs approximately 30% below Dublin levels, and strategic position serving both Irish and international markets through the city's harbor. The ecosystem features organizations including Republic of Work and CorkBIC, with particular strength in technologies addressing pharmaceutical manufacturing optimization and data security. Cork's combination of life sciences manufacturing excellence, growing information security capabilities, and genuine Irish character with less intense competition than Dublin creates opportunities for entrepreneurs developing health technologies, security solutions, or innovations addressing food and agricultural challenges – all supported by Ireland's business-friendly environment and EU membership with English-language advantages.
Cork founders in numbers
The startup community in Cork shows a healthy mix of people still exploring ideas (57%) and those already building something (43%). This balance between early-stage thinking and committed founders shapes the local scene. Looking at the numbers, the median age of founders in Cork is 28.5, with an average age of 33.2. Most are in the 25-32 age range, which makes up 38.8% of the community. When it comes to background, 56% of founders in Cork have technical skills in areas like engineering or software development, while 44% come from business roles such as operations, product, or marketing. This mix creates plenty of opportunity for strong co-founder matches. Popular areas of interest include Industrial Technology, Real Estate, Logistics, and Tourism. Many founders in Cork also speak more than one language, adding fresh perspectives to the city’s startup ecosystem Impacts are {13},{14},{15},{16}.
Commitment Type
More than (57%) of Foundersbase founders in Cork, are exploring startup ideas, while (43%) are committed to an idea.
Age
The median age of Foundersbase founders in Cork is 28.5, while the average is age 33.2 with a maximum in the group of founders aging 25-32.
Type of Founder
About (56%) of Foundersbase founders in Cork are technical (Engineering, AI/ML), while (44%) are non-technical (Product, Marketing, Operations).
Top industry interests
Discover the industries that Foundersbase founders in Cork are most passionate about.
Join the startup community in Cork

Cofounders. Startups. Investors.
Our mission is to help you and your business ideas become successful in Cork and around the globe. Get on board today, its free!
- Present yourself and your ideas.
- Browse cofounders, startups and investors.
- Follow, connect, and chat.
As featured in