Athlone-based entrepreneur Leah Fletcher has been named Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year for 2026, recognising the rapid development of Dunbar Pharma and its ambition in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The award is a notable moment for business news Ireland, particularly for the country’s growing life sciences and health technology community.
A national award for Dunbar Pharma’s founder
Fletcher, founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma, was selected from five finalists at the annual HPSU Founder of the Year Awards, held at Salesforce Tower in Dublin on 16 October 2026.
Dunbar Pharma is described as Ireland’s first EU GMP-certified cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturer. The company produces WaterClear THC™, a plant-derived dronabinol active pharmaceutical ingredient, and has developed in-house processes and intellectual property to support its manufacturing activities.
Fletcher built the company from concept through to production, securing funding, obtaining a technically demanding suite of licences and establishing a specialist team in Athlone. Dunbar’s product has been supplied to partners behind ten magistral preparations in two major export markets.
What the award says about Ireland’s startup ecosystem
The recognition comes during the 11th year of Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU Founders Forum, delivered in partnership with Select Strategies. The programme has supported 500 high-potential companies across areas including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, food and beverage, cybersecurity, healthtech, medical devices and software as a service.
That breadth reflects the changing shape of Irish business news. Ireland’s startup economy is no longer concentrated in one or two technology niches. Instead, founders are building companies across regulated industries, consumer products, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
- Life sciences: Dunbar Pharma and Lia EyeCare represent innovation in pharmaceuticals and eye care.
- Consumer brands: WONDR is developing lower-sugar, higher-protein and higher-fibre sweets for international markets.
- Business technology: Kaptea is using AI and communications tools to coordinate customer journeys.
- Digital health: MedWrite AI helps healthcare organisations automate clinical documentation and administrative work.
Four finalists recognised alongside the winner
The other finalists were Breda O’Regan of Lia EyeCare, Mark Birrane of WONDR, Robert Norton of Kaptea and Seán Kirwan of MedWrite AI. Each was selected by peers to represent their Founder Group and had actively participated in the HPSU Founders Forum during the past year.
The finalists’ backgrounds also highlight the value of experienced leadership in high-growth companies. Their work spans fundraising, certification, manufacturing scale-up, AI deployment, digital health and international expansion.
Why Dunbar Pharma’s progress matters
For Ireland’s regional enterprise landscape, Dunbar Pharma’s base in Athlone is significant. The company combines pharmaceutical expertise with graduate development, creating a model that links specialist manufacturing, scientific research and skilled employment outside the largest urban centres.
Its work also illustrates the challenges faced by businesses operating in highly regulated markets. Companies in this field must manage licensing, quality systems, manufacturing standards, technical development and international partnerships before they can scale commercially.
Read more: Explore Irish startup and enterprise developments from across the country.
The wider outlook for Irish founders
Enterprise Ireland’s awards programme offers a useful snapshot of the sectors shaping Ireland’s economic future. The companies represented this year are developing products and services for healthcare, food, communications and enterprise software, while targeting customers beyond the domestic market.
For founders, the message is clear: technical expertise, regulatory discipline and international ambition can be as important as an original idea. Peer networks such as the Founders Forum can also provide access to knowledge, accountability and practical support as companies move from early development towards scale.
Explore more: Follow Ireland’s technology, innovation and business growth stories for further coverage of emerging companies.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Enterprise Ireland’s Founder of the Year Award in 2026?
Leah Fletcher, founder and CEO of Athlone-based Dunbar Pharma, won the 2026 Enterprise Ireland HPSU Founder of the Year Award.
What does Dunbar Pharma produce?
Dunbar Pharma produces WaterClear THC™, a plant-derived dronabinol active pharmaceutical ingredient, and operates as an EU GMP-certified cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturer.
How many companies have taken part in the HPSU Founders Forum?
Enterprise Ireland says 500 HPSU companies have participated in the programme over its 11-year history.
The takeaway
Leah Fletcher’s award places Dunbar Pharma at the centre of Ireland’s latest wave of science-led entrepreneurship. Its progress shows how regional companies can combine regulation, research and export ambition to build globally relevant businesses. For readers tracking business news Ireland, the award is also a reminder that the country’s next generation of growth companies is emerging across a much wider range of sectors than traditional technology alone.
