Interview: Meet DC Cahalane: Sure Valley Ventures Partner, More Than a VC. Meet Authentic Donal Cahalane.

Katarzyna Hasnik
Aug 4
8 min read

Updated: Sep 5

Donal Cahalane, known to many as DC, is a partner at Sure Valley Ventures, but he is far more than a Venture Capitalist. He has this kind of wit that could (only come from Cork, not from Dublin hahaha), which turns the deals and the boardrooms, to well-balanced, sharp insight but with genuine warmth. Why, as it matters in everything he does. In this article, we meet the man behind the title, the authentic Donal Cahalane, who proves that serious business and charming banter can go hand in hand. Interview by Katarzyna Hasnik, Female Founder & CEO of Fehur, Global AI FinTech Web2-3

Pitch to Donal at Sure Valley Venture https://www.svv.ai/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sure-valley-ventures

https://www.svv.ai/donal

Say hello to Donal:

https://www.dc.ie/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcirl/

https://medium.com/@dcirl And find what he is cooking, both in boardroom and in the kitchen, go to:

https://www.instagram.com/dcirl/ Securing an interview with Donal was one of the final milestones on Fehur’s journey to the Web3 Talents Supertalent award, which can be explored at: https://web3-talents.io/.

Interview: Meet DC Cahalane: Sure Valley Ventures Partner, More Than a VC. Meet Authentic Donal Cahalane.

1. Part 1 - Professional Questions

1. Professional Relationship with your VC role & VCs Landscape

I. What do you love, like and dislike about your VC role?

II. Pros and cons of VCs in general vs. Founder, Angel Investor, or Career Development? (If you want, you can prepare the premium format: a table with a comparison)

2. VC Dynamics

I. Team values & principles across VCs, Dark Hidden Side - Shadows vs Light - Open to public strategies - let’s uncover VCs secret insights?

II. Do you ever clash with other VCs at decision making and if yes, how often?

III. How are such differences resolved (investment philosophy, founder support, valuations, portfolio thesis etc.)?

3. VCs Geography

I. Your POV on VCs in Ireland vs. USA vs. the rest of the world.

4. Web3 & Pitching

I. Why do Irish VCs hesitate with Web3?

II. How can Web3 founders break the ice with Web3 VCs in Ireland?

III. Difference between pitching to traditional VCs vs. Web2-turned-Web3 progressive VCs. 5. Career Path & Evolution

I. Your career progress (transition from tech, startups, exits, investor, VC & what’s next?).

II. Apart from industry: what dream career, business, or hobby would you love to pursue? If you like a premium format: timeline or chart would be great.

6. Women in VCs

I. How many women are in your VC circle, and how has this changed over time?

II. What can be done to improve it?

III. Would you like to share their names to follow up and increase Female Founders get funded in Ireland and beyond.

IV. Thoughts on only female run start-ups versus mix females-males?

V. Solo Woman Founder vs Solo Man Founder?

7. AI + Web2 + Web3 + Web4

I. How do you see AI and Web2 to Web3 merging into one force?

II. And looking further ahead: what do you think Web4 would look like? If you like a

premium format: evolution map Web1 to Web4 - the lifespan.

8. Premium Tips

I. Any thoughts, links, contacts, or tips for pitching, pitch decks, business plans, Dragons’ Den?

II. Would you ever appear on Dragons’ Den yourself one day?

III. Would you be a good cap or a bad cap?

9. Investment Process

I. Biggest challenge when data conflicts with instinct in investment decisions?

II. Thoughts on personality/decision-making tests you use?

10. Favourite VC(s)

I. Do you have a favourite VC firm or individual you admire?

11. SaaS Evolution

I. Angel/VC POV on SaaS Web2 to AI SaaS Web3?

II. Examples of investments (if NDA doesn’t apply) and emerging funding strategies.

III. The biggest success of yours and/or SVV?

IV. The biggest failure of yours and/or SVV?

12. Women in Tech & Leadership

I. Your experience with women in tech & VCs.

II. Recommendations for preserving authentic feminine leadership: without being

influenced by industry pressure to act, lead, talk, walk or even dress like men?

13. Dream Thesis versus existing Thesis

I. What would your dream VC investment portfolio thesis look like?

II. What is your current portfolio, and how would you like to keep it or improve it?

II. Does your current portfolio contain Web3? 14. Global POV

I. Current views on USA, EU, UK, global politics (from an investment and AI perspective).

The interview with Donal was arranged as one of the final steps in the Fehur journey towards the Web3 Talents Supertalent award, which you can explore here: https://web3-talents.io/.

Web3 Talents: Fundamentals of Bitcoin, and Ethereum (public blockchain systems) - Discovery & Define Stage.

15. Future Vision

I. How do you imagine life when you’re “very, very, very old”?

16. Back to VCs & Pitching

I. What are your thoughts as a VC on cold emails versus warm introductions? Should founders first establish a relationship before sending a pitch?

II. How do you see foreign founders pitching to English native speakers?

III. Any tips or common mistakes?

17. Irish Ecosystem vs the rest of the World

I. How do you compare the Irish ecosystem with the UK, EU, and global scenes?

II. What are your thoughts on the NDRC closure (now extended until the end of 2026) and Enterprise Ireland’s, and other start-up programs Furthr, etc. role in supporting innovation?

III. Do you think that Ireland is still to certain extend ticking the boxes, but rather thinking outside of the box?

IV. Is Ireland modern in thinking, or more inclined to follow trends rather than lead them?

V. Which AI tech sector is the strongest in Ireland today?

VI. Does FinTech truly lead here in Ireland, or is it following rather, falling down than driving innovation?

VII. What can Ireland learn from other countries to strengthen its startup and VC ecosystem? 18. Age and Founders

I. Have you and/or current SVV invest in younger than 20 years of age founders?

II. What would happen with school system with AI and further innovation?

III. Do you expect more young entrepreneurs to attend school and establish global companies and/or local businesses?

IV. How old have you been when establish your 1st start-up?

V. Would you share the story how you begin your journey?

19. Final Thoughts

I. Add anything you want to share.

Thank you.

Now let’s dive to Personal / Get-to-Know-You Questions 🚀

2. Part 2 - Personal / Get-to-Know-You Questions

1. Icebreaker & Connection & Few Gentle Smiles & Eye-contact

I. Question 1 - Top Secret

II. Question 2 - Top Secret

2. Food & Cooking

I. What’s your favourite dish? If you were in prison or on a space rocket and could eat only

one meal forever, what would it be?

II. Have you ever invested in cooking apps?

III. If you built one, what AI & UX features would you include?

IV. Do you talk to smart speakers (Alexa, Google)?

V. Do you use them for cooking?

VI. Do manners apply in AI: Do you say “please” & “thank you” to AI?

VII. Do you wear an apron when you cook?

VIII. Favourite chef - apart from yourself ;)?

IX. What do you think of cooking TV shows?

X. Would you take part or invest in one or already been done?

XI. Fire stove or electric stove, or BBQ?

XII. Do you have a favourite knife?

XIII. Butcher or supermarket? 3. Identity & Lifestyle

I. Cork or Dublin?

II. Ireland or USA?

III. If not Cork, which city & country would you live in, based on your experiences abroad?

IV. If you could choose any city, town, country to live in, which one?

V. Digital Detox: When was the last time you went 24 hours without a phone or laptop at

home or travelling, or on holidays?

VI. Shoe size/socks size.

VII. Which phone/laptop/watch brand/model do you use & why?

VIII. Backpack or suitcase when travelling?

IX. Handy programs, apps, industry hacks, time, productivity priority management?

X. Are you investing in digital assets, cryptocurrency, token, yes or no, and why and which one if yes?

4. Relationships, Priorities & Balance

I. Any tips for power couples of co-founders or CEOs, female-male couples dynamic,

balancing professional & personal life?

II. What do you love more: startups, public talks, Kayley (your 4-paws friend), or cooking?

III. What are you looking for in women as potential future romantic partners?

5. Mindset & Beliefs

I. Have you ever done the 16 Personalities Test (MBTI)?

II. If yes, what are your results?

III. If not, run and share results as a challenge?

IV. What’s your relationship with metaphysics, God, the higher, the Universe?

V. Do you tell white lies both in business and personal life?

VI. Would you rather hear a painful truth or a sweet lie, both in business and personal life?

6. Future & Passions

I. What are you looking for in the near & far future, professionally and personally?

II. Best band/song, movies, books, news sources, podcasts, or TV series, both professional & personal?

7. Final

II. Any questions for the interviewer?

I. A question you’d ask yourself, something deeply inside, that you’d share (or keep private - optional)? A moment for reflection. Thank you! Donal, feel free to share the Q&A on your own social media, Medium, LinkedIn, Website, Instagram and any other. Sincerely, Katarzyna Hasnik (Kasia for Donal - friendly acquaintance), Founder and CEO of Fehur - an AI + Web2-3 global solution for financial education and employee retention that empowers modern workplaces.

3. The summary of structure and storyline of my second article.

The article is structured as a conversational deep dive into the professional and personal world of Donal Cahalane, known as DC, but for the interviewer as Donal, a Venture Capital Partner at Sure Valley Ventures.

It opens with professional questions that gradually uncover the realities of the VC role, from the rewards and challenges of investing to the often-hidden dynamics within the venture capital ecosystem. By framing questions around career path, investment philosophy, and industry trends, the storyline sets the stage for readers to understand both the mechanics and the human side of VC decision-making.

As the piece develops, it broadens its scope to explore global perspectives and future-facing themes such as AI, Web2, Web3, and even speculative ideas about Web4. This middle section provides contrast between Ireland’s evolving startup ecosystem and the international landscape, while also highlighting issues such as diversity, gender balance in tech, and the intersection of personal instinct with data-driven investment. These thematic pivots ensure the narrative remains not only informative but also reflective, addressing both systemic challenges

and emerging opportunities.

The storyline concludes on a more personal and intimate note, moving beyond business into lifestyle, identity, and values. Here, the questions shift to food, relationships, beliefs, and passions, humanising the figure behind the title of “VC Partner.” This gradual transition from the professional to the personal allows the article to deliver a multidimensional portrait: one that blends industry insight with personal authenticity, offering readers both inspiration and relatability. Best, Katarzyna Hasnik