After a dinner in London the other week, with younger acquaintances, I unexpectedly experienced the fresh wind of progress.

Over 7,000 people work in the Irish financial technology - or fintech - sector, with most start-up companies operating in the space intending to extend their workforces by a minimum 50 additional employees by the end of this year.

Noel Moran wrested his pre-paid card company from the jaws of defeat into a multimillion-euro company which now employs 200 people, with plans to employ 800 more. He tells Louise Walsh how he did it

A Co Meath man who left school at 17 and started his first business at his kitchen table has launched a €1 million innovation fund to invest in the next generation of home-grown entrepreneurs.