Ireland's scale-up problem: Cork's Dan Kiely on building the next €100m giants

The Cork investor speaks about the end of the 24/7 hustle culture, his AI suspicions and mental health in Ireland.

Dan Kiely: 'I'm a very proud Irish feminist, which I worked for so long in areas where, I suppose, female voices were not necessarily heard.' Picture: Chani Anderson

For Dan Kiely, who went through blood, sweat and tears with his wife Linda to build the €150m Cork company VoxPro, it is surprising to hear him welcome the end of the 24/7 hustle culture amongst the new generation of Irish business founders and startups.

The sale of VoxPro to Canadian company Telus back in 2017 was one of the largest exits by Irish founders and set the Kielys on a new path as early-stage investors.