Good news for Irish startups. The Irish government in partnership with Bank of Ireland and Limerick University have announced a new €26m fund for early stage companies. The Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund will make investments ranging from €100,000 to €500,000 and will target "export-oriented high potential firms that operate in the technology, food and financial services sectors", reports The Irish Times, in addition to a Silicon Valley-esque remit to support patent-pending projects within Irish universities.