Frank Quinn

The 2026 Tech Excellence Awards distributor of the year winner was DSM Distribution, a channel-focused IT distributor focusing on the best and biggest IT brands that works closely with the biggest IT vendors to bring the best in technology, price, and service.

A new report from Ibec, the group representing Irish business, reveals that founder confidence continues to grow, with 77% of respondents plan to increase hiring in 2026, marking a significant jump from 60% in 2025. The annual Ibec Founders Report, based on research with over 60 founders, found that confidence remains high with 81% of founders rate the business environment positively – up from 77% in September – while 67% are optimistic about the next six months.

Almost half (48%) of Irish business leaders worry about how AI is transforming their organisation, according to Expleo’s latest AI Pulse report. Data for May revealed that while concern regarding AI’s impact on a business level has hit a record high, confidence in AI continues to hold firm. At the same time, Expleo’s AI Pulse barometer recorded an overall score of 66 out of 100 – reflecting the broader survey findings that Irish business leaders trust their organisation to use AI ethically.