DC Cahalane

Venture Partner at Sure Valley Ventures

Speaker

One of the best known figures in Europe’s startup ecosystem, DC Cahalane is a Partner at SVV (Sure Valley Ventures), where he focuses exclusively on investing in early stage AI investments across the UK + Ireland. As a four-time founder turned investor, DC brings a unique operator-to-investor perspective to the global AI and startup landscape, having built, scaled and exited companies across the USA, UK, and Ireland.

With extensive experience in global startup ecosystems, DC has advised major technology companies including NVIDIA, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Stripe on ecosystem engagement strategies. He previously founded Republic of Work, Cork's largest innovation hub, and served as Executive Director of BUILTINCORK. His international expertise spans go-to-market strategies, investment evaluation, and cross-border expansion, particularly across Irish, UK, and US markets.

Based in Cork, Ireland, DC is the author of the upcoming book "We're Doing This Wrong: How to Build Entrepreneur Ecosystems That Actually Work" and writes the "Founder Therapy" advice column for Ireland’s Business Post newspaper. He serves on various Irish government advisory bodies including the SME Growth and Entrepreneurship Task Force and the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum and is the current VC in Residence at University College Cork.