What does an innovation consultancy actually do?

It varies more than any other category here. On this list it covers securing R&D funding, managing compliance for new technology, building products, and protecting reputation. Ask for a deliverables list from a past engagement before assuming you know what you are buying.

Can I claim R&D tax credits in Ireland?

If your business carries out qualifying research and development, Revenue operates an R&D tax credit and Enterprise Ireland offers grant funding. One firm on this list specialises in these claims. Since the benefit is a cash figure, it is the easiest innovation service to evaluate.

Do innovation consultants build anything?

Several here do not. Advisory firms produce strategy, research and recommendations. Only the software firms on this list will deliver working product. Decide which you need, because a strategy you cannot execute is an expensive document.

How do I measure the return on innovation consulting?

Define the output before you engage. For funding work, the measure is money secured against fee paid. For compliance, it is risk removed. For product work, it is something shipped. Engagements without a defined output are the ones that get quietly cancelled.

All agency lists

Technology & Development

Top Innovation Consulting Firms in Ireland

Updated 6 August 2026 · 1 min read · 10 companies

Written byNuala Canning

Innovation consulting is the vaguest label in this set, and the firms below prove it. One secures R&D tax credits. One handles privacy compliance. Two build software. One manages reputation. All are filed under the same heading, and only some of them will produce something you can use.

What to look for in an innovation partner

Advice or delivery. Several firms here produce recommendations and nothing else. That is a legitimate service, but it is not a product.
A defined output. Funding secured, risk removed, product shipped. Engagements without one drift.
Funding expertise, separately. R&D tax credits and Enterprise Ireland grants are a specialism with a measurable return.
Sector and regulatory fit. Innovation in a regulated industry is a compliance project with a technology component, not the reverse.

If you are spending on innovation consulting, check first whether the work qualifies for R&D tax credits or Enterprise Ireland funding. The relief can cover a meaningful share of the cost, and one firm on this list does nothing else.

1. Brandfire
Best for customer retention innovation
brandfire.ie - Brandfire website, opens in a new tab
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
1-10
Customer loyalty and engagement agency working on retention through rewards programmes and promotions, which places its innovation work in customer retention rather than technology.
Disclosure: Brandfire publishes this list. We have included ourselves because we work in this category, and you should weigh our placement accordingly.
Industries
- Industrial Goods & Services
Languages
- English
- Irish
2. RaftLabs
Best for turning an innovation brief into shipped software
raftlabs.com - RaftLabs website, opens in a new tab
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Rating
4.9 (15 reviews)
Team size
10 - 49
Hourly rate
$25 - $49
Founded
2020
AI-first software development and growth marketing company that turns innovation programmes into working products on React, Node.js and AWS. Holds 15 verified reviews at 4.9, the highest count here.
3. Onside
Best for research and strategic advisory
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Rating
5.0 (1 review)
Team size
11-50
Dublin management consultancy of 11 to 50 people specialising in research, advisory and strategic sponsorship management across Europe. One verified review at five stars.
Languages
- English
4. Realweb
Best for AI and IoT innovation for regulated sectors
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Rating
4.7 (1 review)
Team size
11-50
Min project
From €1,000
Dublin software consultancy operating since 2018, providing AI, custom app, web and IoT work for midsize and enterprise businesses in regulated industries. Holds one verified review at 4.7.
Industries
- Legal Services
Languages
- English
5. Myriad Associates
Best for R&D tax credits and grant funding
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
1-10
Dublin firm helping businesses secure R&D tax credits, Enterprise Ireland funding, Horizon Europe and EUREKA Eurostars grants. The most directly measurable service on this list.
Languages
- English
6. PrivacySolved
Best for privacy and compliance for new technology
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
1-10
Dublin consultancy covering data protection, GDPR, CCPA and CPRA, cyber security, AI compliance and breach response, which makes it the compliance specialist here.
Industries
- Banking & Financials
Languages
- English
7. Reputation Inc
Best for reputation strategy
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
11-50
Min project
From €1,000
International reputation management consultancy of 11 to 50 people with 20 years in the field, based in Dublin.
Languages
- English
8. MKC Communications
Best for communications advisory
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
11-50
Dublin communications and public relations consultancy of 11 to 50 people acting as strategic advisors to clients.
Industries
- Transportation
Languages
- English
9. International Development Ireland Ltd
Best for institutional development projects
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
11-50
Dublin firm of 11 to 50 people working on the practical implementation of institutional and corporate development projects.
Languages
- English
10. jump! innovation
Best for innovation facilitation
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
1-10
Small Dublin innovation firm. The source directory carries no description for this entry.
Languages
- English

Frequently asked questions

What does an innovation consultancy actually do?: It varies more than any other category here. On this list it covers securing R&D funding, managing compliance for new technology, building products, and protecting reputation. Ask for a deliverables list from a past engagement before assuming you know what you are buying.
Can I claim R&D tax credits in Ireland?: If your business carries out qualifying research and development, Revenue operates an R&D tax credit and Enterprise Ireland offers grant funding. One firm on this list specialises in these claims. Since the benefit is a cash figure, it is the easiest innovation service to evaluate.
Do innovation consultants build anything?: Several here do not. Advisory firms produce strategy, research and recommendations. Only the software firms on this list will deliver working product. Decide which you need, because a strategy you cannot execute is an expensive document.
How do I measure the return on innovation consulting?: Define the output before you engage. For funding work, the measure is money secured against fee paid. For compliance, it is risk removed. For product work, it is something shipped. Engagements without a defined output are the ones that get quietly cancelled.

Turning an innovation programme into something that actually ships?

Tell us what you are trying to build and we will tell you straight whether we are the right fit.

Book a Strategy Call

More agency lists

View all

Top Innovation Consulting Firms in Ireland

What to look for in an innovation partner

1. Brandfire

2. RaftLabs

3. Onside

4. Realweb

5. Myriad Associates

6. PrivacySolved

7. Reputation Inc

8. MKC Communications

9. International Development Ireland Ltd

10. jump! innovation

Frequently asked questions

Turning an innovation programme into something that actually ships?

More agency lists

Top AI Companies in Ireland

Top Cloud Computing Companies in Ireland

Top Data and Analytics Companies in Ireland