At its most basic level, venture capital is the act of investing in a 'venture', a business, in the hope of getting more 'capital', money, back than put into it. 

A VC firm can also invest its time, technical and managerial experience, in the expectation the product or service will grow to be a successful company.

These guys (and to a growing extent, women) essentially look at a business plan or very early stage product and bet on whether they have the next Google or Amazon in front of them.

Unlike a private equity firm, which generally buy 100% of a more mature company, venture capital firms normally hold 50% equity or less, which gives them less control and less return but also means less risk if the company fails. 

Because VC firms invest mainly in start ups or early stage companies, venture capital has become synonymus with the tech industry and in a post financial crisis, highly regulated lending world, where banks have reigned it in, it’s become a favourable alternative to taking out a business loan.

So why Ireland? Well, if you read out a list of the biggest tech companies in the world, most of them not only have an office here but a significant chunk of their workforce based here. 

The same with the pillar banks around the world, even more so after Brexit. 

All of this gives credibility to a city as a place to do business, aswell as a rich talent pool itching to leave the ivory towers and build something of their own after a certain point.

Then there is two crucial elements no enterprise board can take credit for - the fact we are geographically close to Europe and speak the business language of the world - English.

Just like any high potential company, alot of things have to come together to make a country a great place to operate.

It used to be the case that you had to get on a plane to America, specifically Silicon Valley if you wanted people to invest in your idea.

However, Europe and certainly Dublin is making a name for itself as a place you can meet an investor for coffee, with firms like Frontline VC, ACT Capital, Round Hill Capital and Venturewave Capital based in the city.

Sarah Kunst, founder of Cleo Capital and recently named one of VC's rising stars by Business Insider, is rewriting the traditions of the VC world, as a woman, of colour and with her sights set outside of Silicon Valley.

She talks me to me about the game changing moments of her early career, the business failures that led her to building her own company in one of the most competitive industries, how she believes the systemic problem of inequality and discrimination in finance and tech can be solved and lots more. 

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