Startle is now Guaranteed Irish

This is formal recognition of our commitment to operating, investing, and growing in Ireland.

Startle provides background music and digital signage to over 3,000 retail and hospitality locations across Ireland. We are proud to have acquired Visual ID, an Irish brand, in 2024, which has become our platform for running our Irish operations, as a genuinely local business. 

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What Guaranteed Irish means.

The Guaranteed Irish mark is awarded to businesses that demonstrate a real and sustained commitment to Ireland: employing local people, investing in communities, and contributing meaningfully to the Irish economy. Guaranteed Irish businesses go through a structured assessment process covering employment practices, training and development, health and safety, sustainability, and long-term business planning before becoming a member.

We're proud that this level of scrutiny reflects what we've actively been building in Ireland. It's where a third of our team are based, with a lovely office, and some really fantastic customers.

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Our Irish operations.

Our Irish HQ is centrally based, at Kilbeggan Harbour, Co. Westmeath - a building managed by a local conservation charity and steeped in history. Our Irish team spans Westmeath, Cork, and Dublin. Since 2024, we've grown the team, adding a Country Manager, Account Manager, Project Manager and a Field Engineer - full time roles placed across different regions of the country.

Beyond headcount, we invest in our team's development. Training, progression opportunities, and a positive working environment are all part of what Guaranteed Irish assesses, and something we're committed to providing.

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Bringing GAA to pubs abroad. 

One of the ways we’ve deepened our connection to Irish culture is through our partnership with GAA+, the official streaming service of the Gaelic Athletic Association. We make it possible for pubs to broadcast Gaelic football and hurling - sports that aren’t often available on terrestrial TV outside of Ireland - giving venues a way to bring the energy of match day to their customers. 

Earlier this year, we also hosted customers and colleagues from across the pub industry in a hospitality box at the Allianz Football League Div 1 Final. It was a chance to experience the atmosphere first-hand and talk about what we’re building together.

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Growing in Ireland.

We’re proud to have recently started working with some fantastic Irish brands such as Blarney Woollen Mills, Healthwise, and Irish Ferries reflecting strong cross-sector demand across retail, pharmacy, and travel. Our ambition is to continue to grow and invest in the Irish business significantly over the coming years.

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What this recognition means to us.

Becoming Guaranteed Irish is not a milestone we view as an end point. It's a framework that keeps us accountable to the commitments to the market that we've already made - and a signal to our customers, partners, and prospective employees that we take our role in the Irish economy seriously.

We're also looking forward to connecting with other Guaranteed Irish members and looking forward to collaborating on opportunities together.