Trinity first in Europe for producing entrepreneurs for fifth successive year

Posted on: 13 September 2019

Graduates from Trinity College Dublin founded more venture-backed companies than graduates from any other European university for the fifth successive year that independent research conducted by private equity and venture-focused research firm, PitchBook, has been highlighted in its Universities Report.

Like last year, Trinity sits at number 46 in the global rankings for producing venture-backed entrepreneurs from its undergraduate programmes and is the only European university in the top 50.

Between the years of 2006 and 2019 – the period over which PitchBook conducted its latest independent analyses – Trinity alumni produced 251 entrepreneurs, formed 228 venture-backed companies, and raised capital of approximately US $4.1 billion.

The 251 entrepreneurs noted in this year’s report represent an increase from the 232 in last year’s report; the company count of 228 is up from 212 in 2018 and the $4.1 billion in capital raised is significantly up from the $3.26 billion in 2017.

Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer at Trinity, said:

Trinity has placed innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of its strategy – from the development of plans for a new innovation campus at Grand Canal Quay, to the establishment of the University Bridge venture fund to enable investment in new startup companies, to the creation of Tangent – Trinity’s Ideas Workspace, to enable student and graduate entrepreneurship.

The news that Trinity is Europe’s leading university for graduate entrepreneurship for the fifth successive year further supports these ambitions and our role as a global leader in enabling the best students to become the best entrepreneurs.

Trinity has a proven track record of success in innovation and entrepreneurship support activities with award-winning educational and training programmes such as Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars, which provides students with entrepreneurial support, and Ireland’s first and most successful student start-up accelerator programme, LaunchBox – both of which form part of the newly formed Tangent, Trinity’s Ideas Workspace.

Ken Finnegan, CEO of Tangent, said:

Educating and mentoring future innovators and entrepreneurs is crucial if Ireland is to stay ahead in an ever-changing global market. Tangent is Ireland’s new home for innovators and entrepreneurs. We aim to inspire generations to explore new ideas, embrace a changing future, and pioneer disruptive thinking. Trinity continues to be  world leader in producing innovators and entrepreneurs.

Media Contact:

Thomas Deane, Media Relations Officer | deaneth@tcd.ie | +353 1 896 4685