From My Desk

It feels like we’ve stepped into one of those rare windows where multiple markets are all throwing up opportunities at the same time. Irish real estate is shifting shape, US tech markets are alive again, and angel investing has never looked more compelling. The trick isn’t finding opportunities — it’s making sure you have a seat at the table when they land.

Irish Real Estate – Transformation Is the Theme

The big story right now is change. Dublin is entering a new era in its built environment — office blocks that no longer make sense as offices are being redesigned as high-density apartments, and the next phase in hotels is already starting. As Airbnb regulation tightens, expect traditional hospitality to rebound hard.

• Domestic wealth creation — more Irish capital than ever is looking for yield and long-term plays.
• Increased nights from everybody — more events, conferences, cultural and sports fixtures, and more reasons to be in the city.
• Dublin’s evolution into a global city — the shift from a “large town” feel to a truly international city is accelerating.

We’re not yet seeing these early “transformation plays” hit the open market — but at Silicon Docks, we plan to unlock them. Opportunities will be in underutilised buildings repositioned into hybrid hotels, high-yield residential, and mixed-use accommodation.

US Markets – Expensive, and a Signal

The US markets are ripping, but here’s the reality: everything you want to own is crazy expensive. The Figma IPO at $68B is a massive “risk-on” signal, but also a reminder that public markets are pricing in perfection. The smart move is to look earlier in the curve — before companies hit the stock market.

Angel Investing – Launch 34 and Beyond

Our Launch 34 incubator review confirms what I’ve been saying — there are incredible opportunities to get in early on future giants. The Figma IPO is the perfect case study: Index Ventures’ $4M early investment is now worth $7.2B. As angels, we want to be the first or second investor into the next Figma — before the big venture firms arrive and valuations soar.

We’re planning to invest €250k–€500k into angel opportunities (US companies and Irish companies pivoting to the US), taking €25k lead positions and opening €1k–€2k syndicate slots to our partners.

Opportunity Radar

• Last slots in Quinn’s – High-income, well-located real estate with strong cashflow and a 50% EIIS tax break. More details: www.quinnsdrumcondra.com
• SixFour Residential Fund – Exposure to the top end of Dublin’s residential market. Visit: www.sixfourresidential.com
• Hotel – New EIIS model launching in September.
• Tech Investment – Opening our Angel Syndicate soon. Small bets here can pay big, with lots of hits and great fun.
• Redquartz Bond – Fixed-income opportunity targeting strong returns, backed by diversified assets.

Explore more at www.silicondocks.vc

Closing Thought

We want our clients targeting returns of 10–20% on cash, because that’s how you compound wealth over time. EIIS adds another powerful layer — allowing you to build wealth without leaking tax by redirecting income tax into equity in real, growing businesses.

If I were building from scratch today, my SiliconDocks Portfolio would look like this:

• €10k – Angel opportunities
• €20k – High-income real estate (Quinn’s-style assets) and/or Redquartz Bond
• €10k – Public markets (you cannot ignore them)
• €10k – Opportunity real estate (SixFour Residential-type plays)
• €10k – Cash (dry powder for opportunities)

A portfolio like this can be grown every year with recycled and new capital. EiiS is a great way of creating capital from taxation that you have paid.

 

Please reach out to me at simon@silicondocks.vc if you want to learn more about these opportunities.

 

Simon Kelly
Silicon Docks VC