They also differ on whether OneVentures is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week endeavour.

Kelly quickly says yes. Deaker and Birkill are not so sure.

“Often I check email at midnight and there is a query from one of our companies, and I understand as someone who started a company how important it is to be responsive,” says Deaker.

“Every week we’re sitting down with one or another of our companies talking about how we’re going in our plans, where we might be, asking what is keeping them awake.”

Kelly says that while he is a sounding board, he is not a shoulder to cry on.

“I’m not their friend or father, nor do they probably want me to be,” he says of the companies One Ventures has invested in. “We’re in it together as colleagues and peers,” he says turning to look at his two colleagues who nod in agreement.