More than 450 investors, business leaders and financial professionals gathered at the Round Room at the Mansion House on Friday, May 15th, for the Irish Investor Awards 2026, recognising leading private equity and venture capital transactions and achievements across the Irish market.Hosted by Virgin Media news presenter Colette Fitzpatrick, the event, now in its third year, has become an established fixture in Ireland’s investment calendar, highlighting the firms and individuals shaping the domestic investment landscape.This year’s awards attracted a record number of high-calibre submissions across 14 categories, reflecting continued activity and ambition within Ireland’s investment and entrepreneurial ecosystem.Guests heard keynote addresses from Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris and Tom O’Brien, managing partner at Forvis Mazars Ireland, who acknowledged the strength and resilience of the sector amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.In his address, the Tánaiste outlined several measures to support Irish firms in scaling internationally, including initiatives focused on competitiveness, access to capital and the growth of indigenous enterprises.Tánaiste and Minister of Finance Simon Harris delivering his keynote speech. Photograph: Stuart McNamara Winners and finalists were selected by an independent judging panel comprising 22 senior figures from across the financial services and investment community.Among the winners on the night was Waterland Private Equity, which received both the Irish private equity house of the year and environmental, social and governance deal of the year awards. SME Equity was also recognised, taking home the deal of the year (sub €5m) award.The awards were supported by sponsors including DunPort Capital, Development Capital, Business Post, Whelehans Wines, with Forvis Mazars Ireland as the headline sponsor.John Bowe, corporate finance partner of Forvis Mazars, honouring John Purdy, former founder of Ergo, in memoriam, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Photograph: Paul Sherwood. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the lifetime achievement award, posthumously awarded to John Purdy, founder of Ergo and a widely respected figure within Ireland’s technology and investment sectors. Under his leadership, Ergo grew into a €200 million technology business and played a key role in the development of Fenergo, one of Ireland’s leading fintech success stories. The award was accepted on behalf of the Purdy family by Conal O’Donnell, chief executive of Ergo.With strong participation, growing industry engagement and a record level of submissions in 2026, the Irish Investor Awards continue to reflect the depth of innovation, investment activity and entrepreneurial ambition across Ireland’s private equity and venture capital community.2026 winnersCorporate finance advisory firm of the year (sponsored by DunPort Capital)IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC AdvisoryJames O’Neill, Matthew Donellan, Ben Murphy, Conor Hoban, Michael Murray, David Banks, Robert Pender, Rebecca Conellan, David Lyons (second row) and Raymond Donegan (kneeling) from IBI Corporate Finance powered by DC Advisory. Photograph: Paul Sherwood Corporate law firm of the yearMcCann FitzGerald LLPBen Gaffikin, partner, McCann FitzGerald; Eleanor Blagbrough, co-founding partner, Blume Equity; Gary McSharry, partner, McCann FitzGerald; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara Deal of the year (€5m-€10m) (sponsored by Business Post)Renatus Capital Partners – Investment in Strata FinancialConor Mehigan, investment director, Renatus Capital Partners; Noel Killeen, special reports sales manager, Business Post; Dominic Kelly, managing director, Strata Financial; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara Deal of the year (sub €5m)SME Equity Limited – Investment in WorkCompass, acquired by Invincible Software HoldingsJohnny Dunne, founder, SME Equity; Eimear Moloney, non-executive director; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara Deal of the year (> €10m)BGF – Investment in CWC GroupLeo Casey, Donagh Rice, Micheál Walsh, Joe Higgins, Chris Nixon, Aisling Byrne (chief executive, CWC Group), MJ Murphy, and Adam Crinion from BGF. Photograph: Paul Sherwood Debt funding deal of the year < €10mClaret Capital Partners – Investment in Neurent MedicalTánaiste and Minister of Finance Simon Harris; David Bateman, managing partner, Claret Capital Partners; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara Debt funding deal of the year > €10mBank of Ireland Corporate Banking, Tikehau Capital & Clearwater – Debt provided as financing package for Towerbrook investment in GMC Utilities Group (Ireland)Tánaiste and Minister of Finance Simon Harris; Darragh O'Neill, director - head of new business origination, Bank of Ireland Corporate and Market; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara Due diligence team of the yearKPMG IrelandZikka O’Donoghue, Morgan Mullooly, Emmet Walsh, and Ananya Sharma from KPMG Ireland. Photograph: Paul Sherwood Environmental, social and governance deal of the year (sponsored by Development Capital)Waterland Private Equity – Acquisition of Hometherm by NetZero GroupJack O’Grady, Michael McArdle, Neil Montgomery, Katherine McDonald and Laura Dillon of Waterland Private Equity; Fran Stafford of Development Capital and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara International PE investment in Irish company deal of the yearExponent – Investment in Chanelle PharmaAnkit Verma, Sophie Porter, Jacqueline Flynn and David McGovern from Exponent. Photograph: Paul Sherwood Portfolio deal of the yearGoodbody Capital Partners – Sale of Johnson HanaPaul Flynn, Solley O’Connor, Alexander Fox (founder, Johnson Hana), Sarah Stokes and Alan Mahon from Goodbody Capital Partners, along with Dan Fox and Barry Doyle, founders of Johnson Hana. Photograph: Paul Sherwood Rising star under 30 (sponsored by IVCA)Maria Traynor, KPMG IrelandShane Cooke of MML Capital, IVCA member; Maria Traynor of KPMG Ireland; and Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night. Photograph: Stuart McNamara Irish private equity house of the yearWaterland Private EquityKatherine McDonald, Neil Montgomery, Michael McArdle; Mark Mulcahy (Forvis Mazars); Laura Dillon; Colette Fitzpatrick, host for the night; and Jack O’Grady of Waterland Private Equity accepting the trophy for Irish private equity house of the year. Photograph: Stuart McNamara Irish VC house of the yearAtlantic BridgeDominik Leisi, investment manager, Atlantic Bridge; Gerry Vahey, tax partner, Forvis Mazars; Senan O’Mahony, investment manager, Atlantic Bridge. Photograph: Paul Sherwood Lifetime achievement (sponsored by Forvis Mazars)John Purdy, in memoriamConal O’Donnell, chief executive of Ergo, receiving the lifetime award on behalf of the Purdy family. Photograph: Stuart McNamara