Sunday Independent: Despite the challenge and uncertainty created by Brexit, Irish companies have continued to grow their global exports, supporting strong job creation in every region and county across Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland has launched another Brexit response measure via a new fund aimed at supporting export-related companies’ efforts to tap new geographical markets.

Enterprise Ireland-backed companies created 19,332 jobs during 2017 and revealed that 209,338 people are now employed in supported firms.

A new accelerator programme for tech start-ups in the southeast region of the country that also provides a €30,000 investment for up to 10 companies has been announced.

Enterprise Ireland CEO, Julie Sinnamon has called for more women in leading roles within Irish businesses.

The Irish cloud communications company Blueface has agreed to a $500 million merger with US rival Star2Star Communications to create a global competitor in the enterprise telephony market.

Today’s entrepreneurs have shown they know the culture required to build a business in a technologically driven, digital environment.

With technology designed to allow businesses protect themselves against currency fluctuations, Dublin fintech start-up Assure Hedge believes it can help small companies prepare for the fallout from Brexit.

With innovative technology that uses solar power and LED lighting to illuminate bus shelters and advertising displays, Dublin technology start-up Solar AdTek is aiming to make a breakthrough in global markets this year.

With whiskey distilling in his blood and industry experience under his belt, Jack Teeling has managed to transform a personal ambition into a lucrative global empire.

Angel investment in Ireland is forecast to rise by 17pc in 2018, with angel investors increasingly focused on big trends in medtech, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and the internet of things (IoT).

A group of Irish research and technology experts have secured the lead role in a major €700,000 project funded by the European Commission (EC).

The 2018 participants in the Food Works accelerator programme for food and drink start-ups run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc have been announced.