Leah Fletcher’s Game-Changing Move at EI HPSU Awards That Every Founder Needs to Know About
Ever wonder what it takes to be crowned Founder of the Year in Ireland’s cutthroat start-up scene? Well, Leah Fletcher just rewrote the playbook. As the founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma, Athlone’s trailblazer and Ireland’s very first EU GMP-certified cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturer, she’s taken home top honors at the 2026 Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-Up Awards. It’s no small feat—especially considering Dunbar’s groundbreaking product, WaterClear THC, a plant-derived dronabinol active pharmaceutical ingredient that’s setting new standards in pharma innovation. This isn’t just a trophy for Leah; it’s a testament to relentless hustle, ingenuity, and a future-focused vision that’s reshaping entire industries. And trust me, in a landscape crowded with biotech, AI, cybersecurity, and SaaS disruptors, standing out means you’ve earned mad respect from your peers. Curious how Leah and her team carved this path? Let’s dive in. LEARN MORE
Leah Fletcher, founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma, has won Founder of the Year at the Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-Up Awards.
Based in Athlone, Dunbar Pharma is Ireland’s first EU GMP-certified cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturer.
The company produces WaterClear THC, a plant-derived dronabinol active pharmaceutical ingredient.
The Founder of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the dedication of entrepreneurs and start-ups working to build the world-class companies of the future.
Five finalists were shortlisted for the 2026 award, each selected by their peers to represent their Founder Group and actively engaged in Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU Founders Forum over the past year.
The other four finalists were Breda O’Regan, Lia EyeCare; Mark Birrane, WONDR; Robert Norton, Kaptea; and Seán Kirwan, MedWrite AI.
“Over the past 11 years, 500 HPSU companies have come through the Founders Forum, from food and beverage, biotech and medical devices to AI, cybersecurity and SaaS,” said Mark Christal, executive director at Enterprise Ireland.
“That mix reflects the diversity, creativity and ambition that define Ireland’s entrepreneurial spirit. Tonight’s five finalists were chosen by their peers to represent their Founder Groups, which says a great deal about the respect they have earned within this community.
“Congratulations to Leah and the team at Dunbar Pharma, and to all of this year’s finalists. Here’s to the next decade of ambition, scale and success.”
This year marks the 11th year of the HPSU Founders Forum programme. To date, 500 HPSU companies have taken part, from sectors as diverse as AI, biotech, food and beverage, cybersecurity, healthtech, medical devices and SaaS.
The Founder of the Year Awards 2026 took place at Salesforce Tower, Dublin, and was moderated by Gary Fox of The Entrepreneur Experiment.
Each finalist pitched to a judging panel including Chair, Donnchadh Cullinan, Divisional Manager in Enterprise Ireland, and Founders Forum alumni, Dan Fox, Founder of Johnson Hana & Strategic Advisor at Eudia, and Heidi Davis, Peri.
Photo: Leah Fletcher. (Pic: Orla Murray/Coalesce)
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