Granite, which is Ireland’s largest independent digital specialist, has secured a $10 million investment from BGF to accelerate its acquisition strategy, strengthen its international footprint, and expand its digital service offering with a notable emphasis on artificial intelligence. The infusion of capital marks one of BGF’s latest moves in scaling Irish technology businesses and represents a significant endorsement of both Ireland’s digital economy and Granite’s proven growth trajectory.
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Cork, Granite has grown into a multinational operation spanning Cork, Dublin, Galway, Belfast, New York, and Dubai. With more than 170 digital practitioners across three continents, the company has become known for delivering enterprise-level digital solutions to leading Irish organizations while expanding its global presence. The new funding will bolster its acquisition pipeline, support its scaling strategy in the United States, and deepen its enterprise capabilities across all regions.
Granite has completed eight acquisitions since 2020, rapidly expanding its capabilities, sector expertise, and client base. The company attributes its consistent performance to a resilient business model centered on long-term partnerships and its ability to adapt to the escalating complexity of digital transformation across industries. Its growing profile in the US market has already been recognized through its shortlisting for Best Large Agency of the Year at the 2025 US Agency Awards, reinforcing its emerging position as a competitive international player.
The investment will also support the company’s strategy to expand its AI-driven digital innovation platforms. Granite’s leadership emphasized that scaling in major global markets, particularly the US and the Middle East, is essential to maintaining a competitive edge while ensuring the company’s Irish clients continue to benefit from best-in-class digital transformation capabilities.
As part of this growth phase, Granite has strengthened its leadership team by appointing US digital media and technology expert Joy Marcus as Non-Executive Chair, following an introduction through BGF’s Talent Network. Marcus brings more than two decades of senior experience at major organizations such as Condé Nast, Barnes & Noble, Time Warner, MTV Networks, and DailyMotion. She succeeds founding chair Alf Smiddy, whose long tenure guided Granite’s evolution from a Cork-based digital studio into a global digital specialist. Marcus will support the next phase of expansion by providing governance oversight, strategic insight, and access to a US-based network of industry relationships.
Support: The deal is supported by advisory teams from EY Cork, Regan Wall, Forvis Mazars, Beauchamps, Rothschild & Co, and Armstrong TS.
KEY QUOTES:
“Granite is a prime example of the kind of high-performing, founder-led business BGF looks to support. From its roots in Cork, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering digital excellence across Ireland and beyond. Our investment reflects our confidence in the team’s ability to scale internationally, and we’re excited to help unlock the next chapter of growth through strategic acquisitions and international expansion. As we continue to explore opportunities across Ireland’s thriving tech sector, Granite represents the kind of ambition and capability we’re keen to back.”
Joe Higgins, Investor at BGF
“The $10 million investment from BGF is an immediate and substantial investment back into our client partnerships. We are both expanding our geographic footprint in the US and accelerating our knowledge. Scaling in high-growth, competitive markets like the US and the Middle East is a necessity to stay ahead. The investment empowers us to scale our digital innovation and AI platforms globally and deepen our commitment to our Irish clients by ensuring they remain at the forefront of digital transformation and retain their competitive digital advantage.”
Conor Buckley, CEO of Granite
“I’m thrilled to join Granite at such an exciting stage in its growth, and to partner with BGF as we take the business to the next level. Granite has built an impressive reputation for digital innovation and client excellence, and now has a real opportunity to bring that expertise to a global audience. With strong leadership, deep technical capability, and BGF’s strategic backing, the company is exceptionally well-positioned to expand its presence in the US and beyond.”
Joy Marcus, Incoming Non-Executive Chair
