About this episode
In this brand-new Masterclass Special, Gary Fox sits down with Diarmuid Corcoran of Chartered Capital to unpack the money questions Irish founders avoid - until it’s too late.They talk openly about why money can still feel like a “dirty word” in Ireland, why founders can be brilliant at making money but hesitant to manage it, and how wealth often compounds simply because of maths. Diarmuid breaks down the core principles of long-term investing (without the hype), the psychology that causes people to panic at the wrong time, and the practical founder moves that build real security - like taking a salary, using pensions properly, and keeping “fun investing” firmly contained.If you’ve ever said “I’ll start later,” “I’ll wait for the markets to settle,” or “my business is my pension,” this episode is the reset.Important noteThis episode is education and perspective - not personalised financial advice. Always do your own due diligence and speak to a qualified advisor/accountant for your circumstances.Show notesWhat you’ll learnWhy the “rich get richer” is often compounding in actionWhy Ireland has a unique relationship with money (scarcity mindset + property-first thinking)The hidden risk of “safe” cash: inflation eroding purchasing powerTime in the market vs timing the market (and why “waiting” usually backfires)The psychology behind bad money decisions: recency bias, fear headlines, and the Dunning–Kruger effect“Set-and-forget” investing, and why boring usually winsThe founder dilemma: all eggs in the business and no personal de-risking planPensions: why they can be tax-efficient, protective, and misunderstoodThe “de-risking” concept approaching retirement (and the 2008 lesson)A simple way to start investing regularly (and remove emotion from the process)The “playpen” rule: keeping speculative investing (stocks/crypto/startups) to a small %Founder mistakes Diarmuid sees constantly:
