Leah Fletcher, founder and CEO of Athlone-based Dunbar Pharma, has been named Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up Founder of the Year for 2026. The award highlights the growing ambition of Irish companies developing specialist products for international markets and puts a spotlight on one of the country’s emerging pharmaceutical businesses.
Dunbar Pharma is Ireland’s first EU GMP-certified cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturer. Its lead product, WaterClear THC™, is a plant-derived dronabinol active pharmaceutical ingredient designed for use by pharmaceutical partners.
A founder recognised for building from the ground up
Fletcher developed Dunbar Pharma from an initial concept into a manufacturing business, securing funding, specialist licences, proprietary processes and intellectual property along the way. The company has launched WaterClear THC™ to partners behind ten magistral preparations in two major export markets.
The business operates from Athlone and combines experienced pharmaceutical professionals with a scientific graduate programme. Its work reflects the importance of research, regulatory expertise and manufacturing capability in bringing complex healthcare products to market.
The recognition is particularly significant within Ireland’s startup ecosystem. Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up Founders Forum brings together entrepreneurs building internationally focused companies across sectors including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, health technology, medical devices, food and software.
Five founders represented Ireland’s next generation of companies
Five finalists were selected by their peers to represent their Founder Groups and participate in the forum during the past year. Alongside Fletcher, the finalists were:
- Breda O’Regan, Lia EyeCare: developing science-backed eyecare products, including the Nightleaf wearable.
- Mark Birrane, WONDR: building a lower-sugar, high-protein and high-fibre sweets brand for international growth.
- Robert Norton, Kaptea: leading the technology behind Pronto, a journey-orchestration platform using communications workflows and AI.
- Seán Kirwan, MedWrite AI: developing tools for clinical documentation, coding and administrative workflows in healthcare.
The breadth of the finalists illustrates the range of sectors contributing to Ireland’s enterprise landscape. It also shows how founders are combining technology, science, consumer products and international commercialisation strategies.
Why the award matters for Ireland’s innovation economy
The 2026 ceremony took place at Salesforce Tower in Dublin and was moderated by Gary Fox of The Entrepreneur Experiment. The judging panel included Enterprise Ireland Divisional Manager Donnchadh Cullinan, along with Founders Forum alumni Dan Fox of Johnson Hana and Eudia, and Heidi Davis of Peri.
This year marked the 11th anniversary of the High Potential Start-Up Founders Forum. Enterprise Ireland said 500 HPSU companies have participated in the programme to date, demonstrating the scale of the founder network supporting internationally ambitious businesses.
For companies in regulated sectors, the path from scientific idea to commercial product is often lengthy and technically demanding. Dunbar Pharma’s progress demonstrates how funding, licensing, compliance and specialist talent can work together to support business growth in Ireland.
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What comes next for Dunbar Pharma?
Fletcher’s award recognises both personal leadership and the wider team behind Dunbar Pharma. The company’s focus on cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturing places it within a highly regulated and internationally oriented part of the life sciences industry.
As Ireland continues to develop its innovation economy, businesses such as Dunbar Pharma show the value of pairing scientific capability with commercial discipline. The key takeaway is clear: internationally focused founders, supported by strong regulation, talent and enterprise networks, can turn specialist Irish research and manufacturing into global opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Enterprise Ireland’s Founder of the Year Award 2026?
Leah Fletcher, founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma, won the Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-Up Founder of the Year Award for 2026.
What does Dunbar Pharma produce?
Dunbar Pharma manufactures WaterClear THC™, a plant-derived dronabinol active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Where is Dunbar Pharma based?
The company is based in Athlone, Ireland.
How many companies have taken part in the Founders Forum?
Enterprise Ireland said 500 High Potential Start-Up companies have participated in the Founders Forum over its 11-year history.
