Technology & Development
Top 10 Innovation Consulting Firms in Ireland (Updated August 2026)
The companies featured in this list are not ranked in any particular order. They are presented based on their relevance to the category.
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.
How to Choose the Right Innovation Consulting Agency in Ireland
The label covers four unrelated jobs, so start by naming which one you need before you look at a single firm.
- Match the specialism to the outcome, not the title. A funding specialist will not write your compliance policy, and a reputation firm will not touch your R&D claim. Cross-shopping wastes time on pitches that were never a fit.
- Check whether advice becomes a deliverable. Strategy decks are easy to produce and hard to act on. Ask what the firm hands over at the end: a filed claim, a signed-off policy, shipped code, or a recommendation someone still has to execute.
- Weigh success fees against fixed fees for funding work. Grant and tax credit specialists sometimes charge against what they secure rather than time spent. That can align incentives well, but get the percentage and the trigger event in writing first.
- Ask who has done this in a regulated sector before. Compliance and product work both change shape once health, finance or public sector rules apply. A generalist without that experience will learn on your engagement.
Firms that mix several of these disciplines are not automatically weaker. They are just harder to compare on a single measure like price.
What Does an Innovation Consulting Agency Do?
Under one label, this list covers four distinct services: securing R&D tax credits and grant funding, advising on data protection and AI compliance, building software products, and managing corporate reputation. What sits outside all of them is ongoing marketing execution and day-to-day operations, which stay with the client or a separate supplier. Businesses typically bring this work in at specific trigger points: before a funding application deadline, when a new product or AI feature raises a compliance question, when a build needs to move from idea to working software, or when a reputational issue needs managing before it grows. Because the category is this broad, the safest approach is to name the trigger first and then look for the firm built around it, rather than starting from the category label.
How Much Does Innovation Consulting Agency Services Cost in Ireland?
Rate data across this list is thin. Only RaftLabs publishes an hourly band, at €25 to €45 for delivery work, and no firm here publishes a project minimum. That gap is normal for advisory-heavy categories, where pricing is scoped per engagement rather than published. Expect three broad models: hourly or day rates for software and technical delivery, fixed project fees for strategy and compliance work scoped to a defined deliverable, and success-based fees for funding specialists, who may charge a percentage of the grant or tax credit secured rather than time spent. What moves the price most is scope definition. A tightly scoped compliance audit or grant application costs less than an open-ended advisory retainer, because the firm can quote against a known amount of work instead of an ongoing relationship. Ask for a fixed fee wherever the deliverable can be defined in advance.
We have selected and reviewed these companies based on factors such as their services, industry experience, reputation, client portfolio, pricing where publicly available, market presence, and other relevant business metrics. The information and pricing mentioned are based on details available at the time of publication and may change over time. We recommend verifying the latest information directly with each company.
1. Brandfire
Best for customer retention innovation
brandfire.ie - Brandfire website, opens in a new tab- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Rating
- 4.9 (70 reviews)
- Team size
- 1-10
- Founded
- 2012
Brandfire is a leading customer loyalty and engagement agency that helps businesses keep their existing customers returning through expertly designed rewards programmes and promotions. Founded with a deep understanding of consumer psychology, they focus their creative problem-solving squarely on customer retention strategies. They are not the agency to call if a business needs to build a completely new technology platform from the ground up; instead, they excel at maximizing the value of the customers a brand already has. Their team of strategists and designers works out of Dublin, partnering with a wide variety of domestic and international brands across the retail, industrial, and fast-moving consumer goods sectors.
How they work
Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel with unproven digital experiments, they work with brands across Ireland to ensure their current customer base remains highly engaged and profitable. By designing tailored loyalty solutions, such as points-based reward systems, targeted promotional campaigns, and VIP customer tiers, they provide the necessary commercial stability for businesses. This allows a company's leadership team to focus on long-term product developments behind the scenes, safe in the knowledge that their core revenue stream is protected.
What sets them apart
What makes Brandfire unique in the innovation space is their pragmatic, results-driven approach. They understand that true business innovation isn't just about creating a flashy new app; it's about finding smarter, more efficient ways to drive repeat sales and build lasting relationships with consumers. For businesses looking for an agency that delivers measurable, immediate returns by turning occasional buyers into fiercely loyal brand advocates, Brandfire offers a highly focused and highly effective service.
Services
- Loyalty Programme Design
- Rewards & Promotions
Industries
- Industrial Goods & Services
- Retail
- Supermarkets and Grocery
- Telecoms
- Insurance and Finance
- FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods)
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 (50 reviews)
- Team size
- 10 - 49
- Hourly rate
- €25 - €45
- Founded
- 2015
RaftLabs is a highly regarded growth marketing and software development company that specializes in helping businesses turn their ambitious new ideas into fully working, market-ready digital products. They bridge the critical gap between having a great concept and actually building the software required to make it a reality. Operating from their base in Dublin, they have built a formidable reputation for taking a client's initial brief—whether it's for a complex new business-to-business platform or a consumer-facing application—and managing the entire build process from wireframing to final launch.
How they work
With a very strong track record backed by numerous verified positive client reviews, they have proven experience delivering custom software and cutting-edge voice-activated tools. They are an ideal partner for established companies and well-funded startups that have a very clear idea of what they want to build, but lack the internal engineering resources to actually create it. Their team works in an agile manner, providing continuous updates and allowing for flexibility as the project evolves, which is crucial when developing new and innovative products that may need to pivot based on early user feedback.
What sets them apart
Unlike consultancies that simply hand over a strategy document and walk away, RaftLabs is fundamentally about delivery and execution. They take on the technical heavy lifting, ensuring that the final product is not only innovative but also stable, secure, and scalable. For businesses in the hospitality, loyalty, and software-as-a-service sectors looking for a reliable technical partner to bring their digital visions to life, RaftLabs is one of the strongest development agencies operating in the Irish market today.
Services
- Custom Software Development
- AI & Voice Software
Industries
- Hospitality
- Loyalty
- B2B SaaS
- Healthcare
3. Onside
Best for research and strategic advisory
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Rating
- 5.0 (1 review)
- Team size
- 11-50
Onside is a premier Dublin-based management consultancy that specializes in helping brands and organizations extract the maximum possible value from their sponsorships and partnerships. Founded in 2005, they provide deep, data-led research, high-level strategic advice, and hands-on activation management for sponsors and rights holders right across Europe. While many associate innovation purely with technology, Onside brings a highly innovative, analytical approach to the business of sports, entertainment, and media sponsorships, transforming what used to be a relationship-driven industry into a highly measurable, strategic investment.
How they work
They are widely respected for their rigorous data-driven approach and their highly anticipated annual reports on the Irish sponsorship market, which are considered essential reading by marketing directors nationwide. Having successfully guided hundreds of millions of euros in sponsorship investments over the past two decades, they help major corporations make highly informed, evidence-based decisions about exactly where to invest their marketing budgets. They don't just negotiate the deal; they help brands figure out how to creatively activate that sponsorship to ensure it resonates with the target audience and delivers a measurable commercial return.
What sets them apart
Their client roster includes some of the biggest names in Irish business, alongside major sporting bodies and cultural institutions. For any large organization looking to step into the world of sponsorship, or looking to fundamentally rethink how they are currently spending their sponsorship budget, Onside provides the objective intelligence and creative strategy needed to ensure every euro spent works as hard as possible to build the brand.
Services
- Sponsorship Strategy
- Research & Analysis
- Activation Management
Industries
- Sports & Entertainment
- Media
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 €900
Realweb is a highly capable software consultancy that builds custom digital tools, complex websites, and robust applications tailored specifically for midsize and large enterprise businesses. Operating successfully out of Dublin since 2018, they focus heavily on creating highly practical, stable software solutions that help organizations run more smoothly and efficiently. They are particularly adept at navigating the complex requirements of highly regulated fields, such as legal services and corporate finance, where security, compliance, and reliability are absolute non-negotiables.
How they work
Rather than just offering high-level advice on digital transformation, they actually build the necessary tools from the ground up, frequently incorporating smart automation and connected devices into their work. If a large legal firm needs a custom portal to securely share documents with clients, or a manufacturing business needs to connect their inventory system to a new online platform, Realweb is the team that handles the technical architecture and the coding. They act as a trusted technical partner for businesses that need bespoke solutions rather than off-the-shelf software.
What sets them apart
They are a remarkably strong fit for established companies looking to modernize their operations and improve their internal workflows without disrupting their daily business. By delivering reliable, custom-built software tailored precisely to strict industry rules, they help traditional businesses step confidently into the digital age. For organizations that need a dependable development team that understands both complex coding and serious business requirements, Realweb is an excellent choice.
Services
- Custom Software Development
- Web & App Design
Industries
- Legal Services
- Enterprise Business
Languages
- English
5. Myriad Associates
Best for R&D tax credits and grant funding
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Team size
- 1-10
Myriad Associates is a highly specialized innovation funding consultancy that helps businesses across Ireland secure the vital financial support they need to grow, experiment, and develop entirely new products. Based in Dublin, they focus exclusively on guiding companies through the notoriously complex and time-consuming process of applying for research and development tax credits and securing various government grants. In the broad field of innovation consulting, they offer one of the most directly measurable services available: they turn technical product development into tangible cash returns for the business.
How they work
Their team of technical specialists and financial experts handles the entire claims process from start to finish, ensuring that all paperwork, financial calculations, and detailed technical reports meet the strict guidelines set out by Revenue and Enterprise Ireland. They work closely with a company's engineers and accountants to identify exactly which parts of a project qualify for funding, often uncovering eligible work that the business hadn't realized could be claimed. This meticulous approach removes the administrative burden from the client while maximizing the financial return.
What sets them apart
They have successfully secured hundreds of millions of euros for their clients, making them an absolutely essential partner for companies in the technology, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. Because their success is so easily measured by the funding they secure, they offer incredible value to their clients. For any Irish business heavily investing in creating new products or improving existing processes, engaging Myriad Associates is often one of the smartest financial decisions they can make.
Services
- R&D Tax Credit Claims
- Grant Bid Writing
Industries
- Technology
- Manufacturing
Languages
- English
6. PrivacySolved
Best for privacy and compliance for new technology
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Team size
- 1-10
PrivacySolved is a global consulting firm that helps organizations navigate the increasingly complex and high-stakes world of data protection, privacy compliance, and cybersecurity rules. With senior teams operating out of both Dublin and London, they provide essential, specialized services like data breach response, comprehensive privacy audits, and strategic guidance on how to use new technologies safely and ethically. In an era where a single data mistake can result in massive fines and severe reputational damage, they act as the crucial safety net for businesses innovating with data.
How they work
They act as the ultimate compliance experts for businesses adopting new digital tools, ensuring everything from standard customer databases to advanced automated systems meets strict international legal standards. Their team offers highly tailored, practical solutions for companies operating in heavily regulated sectors like banking, financial services, and healthcare. When a company wants to launch a new digital product or implement a new customer relationship system, PrivacySolved ensures the architecture is compliant by design, preventing costly legal issues down the line.
What sets them apart
Beyond basic compliance, they help organizations build a culture of data privacy, offering outsourced Data Protection Officer services and advanced training for internal teams. By helping companies remove the risk of costly regulatory penalties, they simultaneously help them build deeper trust with their users and customers. For any business that handles sensitive consumer data and wants to innovate without exposing themselves to legal risk, PrivacySolved is an indispensable advisory partner.
Services
- Data Protection Officer (DPO) Services
- AI Governance
- Data Breach Response
Industries
- Banking & Financials
- Healthcare
Languages
- English
7. Reputation Inc
Best for reputation strategy
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Team size
- 11-50
- Min project
- From €900
Reputation Inc is a premier international consultancy that specializes entirely in helping large organizations build, protect, and manage their public image and corporate reputation. Operating at the highest levels since 2002, with deeply experienced senior teams based in Dublin and London, they provide profound insights and strategic advice to businesses that understand their reputation is their most valuable commercial asset. They do not handle basic media relations or standard marketing; instead, they operate at the board level, advising chief executives and leadership teams on how their corporate decisions will be viewed by the wider world.
How they work
They work very closely with major blue-chip clients across everyday consumer goods, corporate finance, and the pharmaceutical industry, managing complex campaigns across dozens of international markets. A significant part of their work involves preparing for and managing unexpected corporate crises, ensuring that a company responds quickly, appropriately, and effectively when things go wrong. They also shape long-term public relations strategies, ensuring that a company's actions, sustainability commitments, and public messaging align perfectly to build trust and momentum with the public, investors, and key stakeholders.
What sets them apart
Their approach is highly analytical, often using advanced research and stakeholder mapping to measure exactly how a company is perceived before recommending a course of action. They are the firm that major corporations turn to when the stakes are incredibly high, whether they are navigating a major merger, handling a product recall, or trying to fundamentally shift how their industry is viewed. For organizations that need serious, heavyweight strategic counsel, Reputation Inc is an exceptional partner.
Services
- Reputation Management
- Crisis Communications
Industries
- FMCG
- Financial Services
- Pharma & Healthcare
Languages
- English
8. MKC Communications
Best for communications advisory
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Team size
- 11-50
MKC Communications is a leading independent public relations and communications consultancy based in Dublin, widely respected for their deep expertise and highly strategic approach. Founded in 1999, the firm provides expert advisory services to major international brands, established local businesses, and significant public sector organizations, helping them communicate effectively and confidently with the national media and government bodies. They are recognized for their highly personalized approach, with senior directors heavily involved in the day-to-day management of client accounts, ensuring a consistently high level of service.
How they work
They have guided major household names like Salesforce and Virgin Media Ireland through complex, fast-moving media landscapes, proving their ability to handle large-scale corporate communications. Their service offering is broad and highly specialized, covering everything from intense crisis planning and rapid response to shaping long-term digital communications strategies. A significant portion of their work involves government affairs and public policy, helping organizations understand legislative changes and ensuring their voices are heard by the right decision-makers in government.
What sets them apart
Their deep understanding of the Irish political and media environment makes them an invaluable asset for companies looking to establish a strong presence in Ireland or navigate a particularly challenging public issue. Whether a business needs to launch a major new initiative, manage a sensitive corporate announcement, or simply build stronger relationships with key journalists and politicians, MKC Communications provides the steady hand and expert guidance required to manage the message flawlessly.
Services
- PR & Media Relations
- Government Affairs
- Crisis Planning
Industries
- Transportation
- Financial Services
- Pharmaceutical
Languages
- English
9. International Development Ireland Ltd
Best for institutional development projects
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Team size
- 11-50
International Development Ireland (IDI) is a highly specialized and globally respected consulting firm that partners with governments around the world to boost economic growth and fundamentally improve public institutions. Originally established in 1989 by Irish state economic agencies, their core mission is to take the practical, hard-won lessons learned from Ireland's own rapid economic development over the past few decades and apply them directly to emerging and transitioning markets globally. They are not a standard corporate consultancy; their work is entirely focused on macroeconomic development and large-scale public sector reform.
How they work
They focus heavily on hands-on, implementation-based projects that are designed to drive foreign direct investment, create sustainable local jobs, and support the growth of domestic businesses. With several decades of experience and hundreds of successful, large-scale projects completed across over eighty different countries, they provide actionable, proven strategies to help nations build stronger, more competitive, and more resilient economies. Their teams frequently work on the ground in developing nations, working side-by-side with local government officials to build capacity and implement new economic policies.
What sets them apart
Their unique background, born out of the Irish state's own successful economic agencies, gives them a level of credibility and practical insight that very few international consultancies can match. They are the ideal partner for international development banks, national governments, and global funding bodies that need experienced practitioners who know how to turn high-level economic theory into practical, job-creating reality on the ground.
Services
- Institutional Development Advisory
- Project Management Implementation
Industries
- Government
- Economic Development
Languages
- English
10. jump! innovation
Best for innovation facilitation
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Team size
- 1-10
jump! innovation is a highly dynamic and energetic strategy and innovation agency that helps major brands figure out exactly what their next big move should be. With deeply creative teams based in both Dublin and London, they work collaboratively with businesses to uncover fresh, actionable customer insights, develop crystal-clear brand goals, and facilitate highly engaging creative workshops that lead directly to breakthrough ideas and new product concepts. They are the agency businesses call when they feel stuck, when a product line feels tired, or when they need to find a completely new angle in a highly competitive market.
How they work
They have successfully partnered with major, household names like Heineken, Fáilte Ireland, and PepsiCo, helping to fundamentally reshape how these massive brands connect with everyday people. Rather than just building software or handing over a dense, unreadable report, they actively guide the creative process, bringing different teams within a company together to brainstorm and innovate collectively. They use highly specialized facilitation techniques to break down internal silos and ensure that the best ideas actually make it from the whiteboard to the real world.
What sets them apart
They are particularly strong when working with brands in the food and beverage, tourism, and entertainment sectors, where consumer tastes change rapidly and standing out is incredibly difficult. For companies that need a serious injection of creative energy and a structured, proven process for developing their next big product or marketing platform, jump! innovation provides an inspiring, highly effective service that consistently delivers fresh thinking.
Services
- Brand Strategy
- Innovation Workshops
Industries
- Food & Beverage
- Tourism & Entertainment
Languages
- English
Innovation consulting helps a business build something it couldn't build alone, whether that's a new product, a compliance process or a piece of software. What it doesn't do is give that business's existing customers a reason to stick around while the new thing gets built. Innovation and retention run on different timelines. Brandfire designs and builds loyalty and rewards programmes for brands across Ireland, keeping the current customer base engaged while the next big thing takes shape.
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.
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