Leah Fletcher named founder of the year 2026
Leah Fletcher, CEO of Dunbar Pharma, has been honoured as Founder of the Year at the Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-Up Awards. The ceremony took place at Salesforce Tower, celebrating innovative Irish entrepreneurs driving diverse industries forward.
Leah Fletcher, founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma, was crowned Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year 2026. Based in Athlone, Dunbar Pharma is Ireland’s pioneering EU GMP-certified cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturer, producing the innovative WaterClear THC™, a plant-derived dronabinol active pharmaceutical ingredient.
The Founder of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on dedicated entrepreneurs and start-ups shaping the future of Irish business. Five finalists, chosen by their peers within Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU Founders Forum, were recognised for their outstanding achievements. Alongside Leah Fletcher, finalists included Breda O'Regan (Lia EyeCare), Mark Birrane (WONDR), Robert Norton (Kaptea), and Seán Kirwan (MedWrite AI).
The awards ceremony was held at Salesforce Tower, Dublin, and moderated by Gary Fox from The Entrepreneur Experiment. The judging panel featured Donnchadh Cullinan, Divisional Manager at Enterprise Ireland, alongside Founders Forum alumni Dan Fox and Heidi Davis. Mark Christal, Executive Director at Enterprise Ireland, praised the diversity and ambition of Ireland’s entrepreneurial community, congratulating Leah and all finalists on their remarkable success and contributions to the nation’s innovative landscape.