Ireland’s university spin-out ecosystem continues to grow in scale and impact, with more than 2,500 people now employed across research-led innovation businesses. As highlighted by ThinkBusiness.ie and Bank of Ireland’s recent list of Irish university spin-outs to watch for 2026/27, several companies emerging from the ADAPT Centre and Trinity College Dublin are gaining national and international recognition for their groundbreaking work across healthcare, education, artificial intelligence and infrastructure.
Amethyst Care
Amethyst Care focuses on reducing loneliness and hospital readmissions through an AI voice companion that offers medication reminders, wellbeing check-ins, and long-term data tracking for clinicians. By combining advances in conversational AI with healthcare expertise, Amethyst Care aims to help people remain independent in their own homes for longer while giving families and caregivers greater peace of mind.
The company secured more than €500,000 through Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund in 2024 to accelerate product development and commercialisation.
MESO
MESO is an education technology company founded by teacher and CEO Dr Chris Byrne.
MESO uses AI to automate lesson planning, generate curriculum-aligned assessments and create personalised study guides for students. Its platform is designed to reduce administrative workload for teachers while enabling more personalised and effective learning experiences.
Supported by €500,000 in funding from Enterprise Ireland, MESO is currently piloting its technology in schools and expanding its reach both in Ireland and internationally.
AI Mapit
Founded in 2022, AI Mapit utilises AI to provide automated, street-level imagery-based geotagging and digital twin creation for infrastructure. Using street-level imagery and advanced AI, AI Mapit creates highly accurate digital twins of critical infrastructure assets, including utility poles, traffic signs and street lighting. The platform automates geotagging and asset identification, reducing the need for costly manual surveys and site visits.
Akara
Akara combines robotics and artificial intelligence to automate hospital disinfection and improve healthcare hygiene standards. Built on more than a decade of research into healthcare automation, Akara’s UV decontamination robots help hospitals clean wards and operating theatres more efficiently and consistently.
Akara has also revealed plans to expand into the US healthcare market and featured in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe rankings.
Vertigenius
Vertigenius is addressing a major global healthcare challenge through innovative digital health technology. Founded by vestibular expert Dr Dara Meldrum, the spin-out is focused on improving access to care for people living with vertigo and balance disorders.
The company’s platform combines wearable sensor technology with specialised software that allows clinicians to prescribe, monitor and adapt vestibular rehabilitation exercises remotely. This approach enables more continuous patient support while reducing barriers to specialist care.
The success of Amethyst Care, MESO, AI Mapit, Akara and Vertigenius highlights the growing impact of the ADAPT Centre’s research commercialisation ecosystem. Each business is applying cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, digital health, robotics and data technologies to solve complex challenges across society.
Access full list here.
