Uptick in early-stage funding deals starts 2021 on ‘positive’ note Gillian Buckley, chair of the IVCA. Image: IVCA Figures from the Irish Venture Capital Association show that seed and early-stage deals have recovered partially after a tough 2020. Early-stage funding deals in Ireland saw a slight bounce back in the first quarter of 2021 after a worrying decline in 2020. Overall funding in the first quarter of the year, according to deals tracked by the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA), stood at €249.4m. This is up 8.9pc from the same period in 2020. “Funding appears to have shaken off any restrictions caused by Covid-19,” Gillian Buckley, chair of the IVCA, said.