Ciara Byrne is the Founder and General Partner of Vestra Partners. She launched the firm with a clear thesis: that the most interesting brands in the bauty and wellness are being built right now, and that founders at that stage need more than a cheque. Vestra Partners closed its first round and completed its first deal in 2026.

Prior to Vestra Partners, Ciara was Vice President of New Business Innovation at Condé Nast, where she spearheaded the launch of Vogue Business and Vogue memberships (e.g., Vogue Club, Vogue 100), building globally scalable offerings that redefined consumer engagement. Her strategic integration of AI, AR/VR has positioned Condé Nast as a leader in the digital landscape.

For a decade at Condé Nast, Ciara led global innovation, oversaw operations for large parts of the company’s global portfolio of brands, and built high-performing teams from New York, London, to Shanghai. She was a Director on the board of Condé Nast International, managing all strategy and operations across 32 markets.

Prior to this, Ciara spent five years at Google driving commercial and product development in emerging business areas, sharpening her expertise in omni channel strategies, market expansion, and working with a vast portfolio of brands.

Her global network includes non-executive roles with the British Fashion Council, and previous advisory positions with the World Economic Forum and Andreessen Horowitz’s Creative Council.

Ciara is a passionate mentor and active angel investor, mentoring and backing early-stage ventures in beauty, consumer, and blockchain, deepening her understanding of founders’ needs. She has mentored dozens of women throughout her career through the various organisations she has supported, Women at Google, 30% Club, Women in AI, and her own co-founded women's professional network.

Holding a Master’s in Management from Smurfit Business School, an International Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and English from University College Dublin and Sorbonne IV Paris, Ciara blends analytical rigour with creative vision, making her a dynamic leader in the beauty and fashion industry.

Founder of Morecastle. a growth and performance agency, which facilitates brands to expand globally via all online/ social commerce and retail channels. One of two Merchants of Record for TikTok in Europe and a preferred Boots partner.

Alongside Vestra Partners, Kerry oversees a private angel investment platform, leading deal sourcing, investor relations, due diligence, and portfolio operations.

Previously Kerry was an early hire at Swoop Funding, one of Ireland’s fastest growing fintechs, where she played a pivotal role in scaling the platform’s equity and grant advisory services. She reviewed over 4,000 pitch decks, worked closely with high-potential startups, and helped founders to navigate the complex funding landscape. Her work extended to product development, investor network growth, and frequent public speaking engagements within the Irish and UK startup ecosystems.

Her earlier career at Ireland’s leading stockbroker, Davy, included roles in financial planning and private client investment management, working primarily with business owners.

Kerry comes from an entrepreneurial family and also supports her sisters’ business, Drobey, Ireland’s no.1 fashion rental platform. Her entrepreneurial flair was sharpened during her time in Antler’s UK11 cohort in 2024, where she was among the top 3% of selected founders exploring innovations in fintech and the future of work.

Kerry holds a BA in Business and Economics from Trinity College Dublin, having also studied at Singapore Management University. Passionate about startup investing, Kerry brings a founder-friendly perspective to venture capital—rooted in a deep understanding of financial strategy, operational excellence, and investor readiness.

Outside of this work, Kerry is an active contributor to the Irish Youth Foundation, an advocate for female founders, and an outdoor enthusiast!