Paddy Cosgrave

Cosgrave grew up on a farm in County Wicklow.{{Cite news| last = Connolly| first = Philip| title = Profile: Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave| work = The Daily Business Post| location = Dublin| date = 4 November 2014| access-date= 28 September 2015 | url = http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/Profile%3A+Web+Summit+founder+Paddy+Cosgrave/id/87198161-2385-4588-f459-38f593406155}} He was educated at Glenstal Abbey School and Trinity College Dublin, where he studied business, Economics and Social Studies (BESS).{{Cite news| last = Duggan| first = Barry| title = Top school enrols boys who won't start classes until 2027| work = Sunday Independent| access-date = 28 September 2015| date = 20 September 2015| url = http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/top-school-enrols-boys-who-wont-start-classes-until-2027-31541815.html}}{{Cite magazine| last = Medeiros| first = Joao| title = Scaling Dublin's Summit| magazine = Wired UK| access-date = 28 September 2015| date = 5 January 2015| url = https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2015/03/start/scaling-dublin-summit}} While at Trinity he was president of the University Philosophical Society (The Phil) and editor of Piranha, a satirical college magazine.{{Cite news| pages = 15–16| last = Crowley| first = Aoife| title = Spinning a web summit| work = Trinity Today|year = 2013| access-date= 28 September 2015| url =https://issuu.com/ashvillemedia/docs/trinity_today_2013_black?e=12657295/9231531}} During his presidency of The Phil, the society introduced Phil Speaks, an outreach initiative aimed at promoting debating and public speaking in Irish secondary schools.{{cite web|last1=Keenan|first1=Lisa|last2=O'Hare|first2=Aidan|title=Universities, Societies & Clubs. Culture, Extracurricular Activities & Career Progression: Trinity College Dublin, Four Case Studies|url=https://creativitythecityandtheuniversity.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/universitiessocietiesclubs20102.pdf|publisher=Trinity Long Room Hub|access-date=29 September 2015|page=19|year=2010}} Cosgrave graduated with a II-1 BA from Trinity College, Dublin's BESS program in 2006.{{Cite web| title = Paddy Cosgrave| work = World Economic Forum| access-date = 29 September 2015| url = https://www.weforum.org/people/paddy-cosgrave| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180125134607/https://www.weforum.org/people/paddy-cosgrave| archive-date = 25 January 2018}}{{Cite web| title = Is a Trinity degree worth more? Tech entrepreneur hits a nerve| first=Joe| last=Humphreys| website=Irish Times| date=8 May 2014| access-date = 24 January 2021| url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/is-a-trinity-degree-worth-more-tech-entrepreneur-hits-a-nerve-1.1788438}}

File:2019_-_Paddy_Cosgrave_SAM_1241_(49005670131).jpg

Cosgrave was the executive director of Rock the Vote Ireland, a campaign launched in April 2007 to encourage young people to vote in the May 2007 Irish general election.{{Cite news| last = Kane| first = Conor| title = Celebrities call on young people to rock the vote| work = Irish Examiner| access-date = 29 September 2015| date = 21 March 2007| url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/politics/celebrities-call-on-young-people-to-rock-the-vote-28358.html}} He was a co-founder of MiCandidate, a website that "provided detailed information on every candidate running in the 2007 general election". The company was sold for "an undisclosed sum" in October 2009.{{Cite web| last = Kennedy| first = John| title = Political media start-up MiCandidate acquired in MBO| work = Silicon Republic| date = 7 October 2009| access-date=29 September 2015|url = https://www.siliconrepublic.com/companies/2009/10/07/political-media-start-up-micandidate-acquired-in-mbo}} In 2008, he was involved with the foundation of an Irish Undergraduate Awards scheme.{{Cite news| title = Trinity graduates spearhead new awards for academic excellence| work = Trinity News| access-date = 1 May 2023| date = 28 October 2008| url = https://trinitynews.ie/2008/10/trinity-graduates-spearhead-new-awards-for-academic-excellence/}}

Cosgrave is a co-founder of the Web Summit and F.ounders conferences.{{Cite magazine| last = Temperton| first = James| title = Web Summit 2016 will ditch Dublin for Lisbon| magazine = Wired UK| date = 23 September 2015| access-date=29 September 2015|url = https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-09/23/web-summit-dublin-lisbon-2016}}

Cosgrave was awarded the 2015 Irish Exporters Association annual gold medal.{{Cite web| title = Exporters Association presents Gold Medal to Paddy Cosgrave, Web Summit at IEA President's Lunch at The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin| work = Irish Exporters Association| access-date = 29 September 2015| date = 12 June 2015| url = http://www.irishexporters.ie/exporters-association-presents-gold-medal-to-paddy-cosgrave-web-summit-at-iea-presidents-lunch-at-the-shelbourne-hotel-dublin/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170406225731/http://www.irishexporters.ie/exporters-association-presents-gold-medal-to-paddy-cosgrave-web-summit-at-iea-presidents-lunch-at-the-shelbourne-hotel-dublin/| archive-date = 6 April 2017| url-status = dead}} He was listed 18th in the 2015 Wired UK list of the "100 most influential individuals in the wider Wired world".{{cite magazine|title=The 2015 WIRED 100|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2015/09/features/the-2015-wired-100/viewall|magazine=Wired UK|access-date=29 September 2015|date=6 August 2015|quote=The only rules for nomination to the WIRED 100 are that the individuals must have a strong European connection, if not a base here; and they are being judged on their influence today, rather than historic achievements or funding raised.}}

Cosgrave is an Ambassador for the European Innovation Council for the years 2021–2027.{{Cite web |title=EIC Ambassadors (2021 – 2027) |url=https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-ambassadors-2021-2027_en |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=European Innovation Council}}

Cosgrave, through the Web Summit, was an investor in The Ditch news website.{{cite news |last=Tighe |first=Mark |date=25 July 2022 |title=Hurlers on The Ditch: The small online news team who plunged An Bord Pleanála into crisis |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hurlers-on-the-ditch-the-small-online-news-team-who-plunged-an-bord-pleanala-into-crisis-41865535.html |work=Irish Independent |location= |access-date=13 January 2023}}{{cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Ciara |date=7 November 2023 |title=Web Summit pulls funding for The Ditch website |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/11/07/web-summit-pulls-funding-for-the-ditch-website/ |newspaper=The Irish Times |location= |access-date=}}

File:Money_Conference_Backstage,_June,_2018,_Leo_Varadkar_(28897672918).jpg

In March 2012, Cosgrave was appointed to the board of the Higher Education Authority (HEA).{{cite web |url=https://www.itsligo.ie/head-of-development-appointed-to-hea-board/ |title=Head of Development appointed to HEA Board |date=2012-03-09 |website=www.itsligo.ie |publisher=IT Sligo |access-date=2020-01-24 |author1=Dseddon }} While still a member of the board in 2014, Cosgrave said that his company would recruit graduates with II.1 degrees from Trinity College Dublin or with first class honours degrees from other Irish universities. The HEA said Cosgrave’s views on the value of degrees at different universities were his own and not those of the authority. Cosgrave resigned from the HEA board in 2015.{{cite web |url=https://hea.ie/assets/uploads/2017/04/372nd-HEA-minutes-1.pdf |title=Higher Education Authority Report of the 372nd Meeting |date=2015-05-25 |website=hea.ie |publisher=Higher Education Authority |access-date=2021-01-24}}

In 2015, Cosgrave apologised for falsely taking credit for building the Tito ticketing application.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/paddy-cosgrave-issues-app-ology-1.2347565 |title=Paddy Cosgrave issues app-ology |date=2015-09-11 |website=irishtimes.ie |publisher=The Irish Times|access-date=2015-09-11 }}

In 2018, at the Collision tech conference in New Orleans, the IDA was sponsoring a drinks reception for chief executives of around 200 companies. According to former Web Summit director David Kelly, as a senior female IDA executive gave a short welcome speech, Paddy Cosgrave stood beside her “slow clapping”.{{Cite news|last=Sheehan|first=Maeve |date=7 November 2021|title=Claims Cosgrave 'slow-clapped' IDA staff member during speech|work=Irish Independent|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/paddy-cosgrave-ran-toxic-campaigns-against-varadkar-and-the-ida/41026123.html|access-date=7 November 2021}}

An email from the IDA described the alleged incident as ‘particularly regrettable’.{{Cite news|last=Sanz|first=Catherine|date=17 October 2021|title=Claims Cosgrave 'slow-clapped' IDA staff member during speech|work=Business Post|url=https://www.businesspost.ie/news/claims-cosgrave-slow-clapped-ida-staff-member-during-speech/|access-date=17 October 2021}}

The Web Summit has also been the subject of several controversies under Cosgrave's stewardship, including its move from Dublin to Lisbon,{{cite web|last1=Killian|first1=Woods|date=21 September 2016|title=Web Summit is getting comfy in Portugal as it opens a Lisbon office|url=https://fora.ie/web-summit-lisbon-office-2990319-Sep2016/|website=Fora}} the organisation of a dinner at Portugal's National Pantheon,{{Cite news|last=Halpin|first=Hayley|date=14 November 2017|title=Web Summit organiser apologises over 'offensive' dinner at Portugal's National Pantheon|work=TheJournal.ie|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/web-summit-national-pantheon-dinner-3695517-Nov2017/|access-date=19 January 2021}} and the invitation of Marine Le Pen as a speaker, which was subsequently withdrawn.{{Cite news|last=McDermott|first=Stephen|date=15 August 2018|title=Web Summit founder withdraws invite for far-right leader Marine Le Pen to 2018 event|work=TheJournal.ie|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/lisbon-web-summit-marine-le-pen-4181551-Aug2018/|access-date=19 January 2021}}{{Cite news|last=McSorley|first=Christina|date=16 August 2018|title=Marine Le Pen's presence deemed 'disrespectful' at Web Summit|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45201888|access-date=19 January 2021}}{{Cite news|last=O'Donovan|first=Donal|date=16 August 2018|title=Web Summit chief in U-turn as invitation to far-right leader Le Pen is withdrawn|work=Irish Independent|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/web-summit-chief-in-u-turn-as-invitation-to-far-right-leader-le-pen-is-withdrawn-37221128.html|access-date=19 January 2021}}{{Cite news|last=Murphy|first=Greg|date=15 August 2018|title=Latest: Web Summit withdraw Le Pen invitation saying it is 'disrespectful' to Portugal and attendees|work=Irish Examiner|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-30862314.html|access-date=19 January 2021}}

Cosgrave has come under criticism and faced legal action for comments he has made on multiple occasions, particularly about politicians.

Cosgrave criticised the Irish tax system in 2019. When asked at a press conference if his stance could be viewed as hypocrisy, Cosgrave agreed as Amaranthine, an investment fund set up by Cosgrave with other Web Summit founders, is based in California but registered in Delaware - an effective tax shelter.{{cite web|last=Power|first=Jack|date=2019-04-18|title=Paddy Cosgrave 'no saint' over US fund tax arrangements|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/paddy-cosgrave-no-saint-over-us-fund-tax-arrangements-1.3863349|access-date=2021-01-24|website=www.irishtimes.ie|publisher=Irish Times}}{{cite web|last=Horgan-Jones|first=Jack|date=2020-04-15|title=Facebook ad about Ireland's corporate tax system targeting European users|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/facebook-ad-about-ireland-s-corporate-tax-system-targeting-european-users-1.3860927|access-date=2021-01-24|website=www.irishtimes.com|publisher=Irish Times}}

On 30 March 2020, Cosgrave posted a tribute on Twitter to the "4 nurses in Ireland who fought so hard for so many patients, but who themselves fell ill, and have now passed. RIP." The following day, the Health Service Executive tweeted that "Contrary to tweets sent yesterday - thankfully none of our nurses have died in Ireland from #COVID19." Phil Ni Sheaghdha, general secretary of the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (INMO), accused Cosgrave of "scaremongering".{{cite news| location=Dublin | work=Irish Independent| first=Ellen | last=Coyne | title=Web Summit founder urged to apologise over rubbished 'four nurses dead' tweet| date=2 April 2020| access-date=2021-01-24| url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/web-summit-founder-paddy-cosgrave-urged-to-apologise-over-rubbished-four-nurses-dead-tweet-39096144.html}} On 8 June, Cosgrave "unreservedly" apologised on Twitter to the HSE and the INMO.{{cite news| location=Dublin | work=Irish Independent| first=Gabija| last=Gataveckaite| title=Paddy Cosgrave apologises to INMO and HSE after tweeting four nurses died from Covid-19| date=8 June 2020| access-date=2021-01-24| url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/paddy-cosgrave-apologises-to-inmo-and-hse-after-tweeting-four-nurses-died-from-covid-19-39269332.html}} On 14 May 2023, in an RTÉ Radio interview, Cosgrave said that his original tweet was correct.{{Cite web|title=This Week Sunday 14 May 2023 |url=https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/this-week/programmes/2023/0514/1383546-this-week-sunday-14-may-2023/ |last=McCarthy |first=Justin| access-date=2023-05-15 | date=2023-05-15 |work=RTÉ Radio |time=29:50}}

Also in 2020, Cosgrave was criticised for using what some inferred as sectarian and pejorative language in calling Neale Richmond a "Castle Catholic".{{Cite web|first=John |last=Meagher |title=Paddy Cosgrave profile: the contradictions of a 'crony' crusader entrepreneur |url=https://www.independent.ie/news/paddy-cosgrave-profile-the-contradictions-of-a-crony-crusader-entrepreneur-40107698.html |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Moloney |first=Marita |title=What does the term 'Castle Catholic' mean? |url=https://www.newstalk.com/news/explained-the-meaning-and-origins-of-the-term-castle-catholic-1121524 |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=Newstalk}}

{{Tweet

| name = Paddy Cosgrave

| username = paddycosgrave

| date = 13 Oct 2023

| width = 300px

| text = I’m shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders & governments, with the exception in particular of Ireland’s government, who for once are doing the right thing. War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are.

| ID = 1712790539844612553

| reference = {{Cite tweet|number=1712790539844612553|user=paddycosgrave|title=I'm shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders & governments, with the exception in particular of Ireland's government, who for once are doing the right thing. War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are.|date=2023-10-13|author=Paddy Cosgrave}}

}}

In 2023, during the Gaza war, Cosgrave publicly stated on X that "War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are", referring to war crimes committed by Israel in the war against Gaza. He also denounced the attacks by Hamas and stated that he was "devastated to see the level of innocent civilian casualties in Israel and Gaza". Although he remained firm with his previous condemnation, he later on apologized,{{Cite web |last=Allyn |first=Bobby |date= October 21, 2023 |title=CEO of Web Summit tech conference resigns over Israel comments |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/21/1207795093/ceo-of-web-summit-tech-conference-resigns-over-israel-comments |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=npr |language=en}}{{Cite web |first1=Hasan |last1=Chowdhury |first2=Jyoti |last2=Mann |title=CEO apologizes for Israel remarks after 4 days of backlash and conference dropouts |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/web-summit-founder-paddy-cosgrave-apologized-for-remarks-on-israel-2023-10 |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} and subsequently resigned as CEO of Web Summit on 21 October after companies like Intel, Siemens, Google, Amazon and Meta withdrew from the 2023 event.{{Cite web |last=Loizos |first=Connie |date=2023-10-21 |title=Paddy Cosgrave has stepped down as CEO of Web Summit |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/21/paddy-cosgrave-has-stepped-down-as-ceo-of-web-summit/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}{{Cite news|first=Maria |last=Ponnezhath |date=2023-10-21 |title=Web Summit CEO resigns after comments on Israel-Hamas conflict |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/web-summit-ceo-resigns-after-recent-comments-israeli-conflict-2023-10-21/ |access-date=2023-10-21}}{{Cite web|first1=Niamh |last1=Horan |first2=Adrian |last2=Weckler |date=2023-10-21 |title=Paddy Cosgrave resigns as CEO of Web Summit with 'immediate effect' |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/paddy-cosgrave-resigns-as-ceo-of-web-summit-with-immediate-effect/a1784584733.html |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Independent.ie |language=en}} In April 2024, Cosgrave's decision to return as CEO was announced.

In 2020, Maitiú Ó Tuathail took legal proceedings against Cosgrave regarding comments Cosgrave made on his Twitter profile. The case was settled outside of court.{{cite web |last1=Phelan |first1=Shane |title=Leak controversy doctor settles libel action against Web Summit chief |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/leak-controversy-doctor-settles-libel-action-against-web-summit-chief-39700302.html |website=Irish Independent|date=3 November 2020 }}

In November 2021, an Irish High Court case was filed while the Web Summit conference was underway in Portugal, marking an intensification of the legal battle between the two co-founders of the event. Paddy Cosgrave has been accused of oppressing a minority shareholder, attempting to engage in blackmail against a co-director, and hacking a rival Irish events company, resulting in court cases involving Cosgrave and co-founders Daire Hickey and David Kelly.{{Cite news|last=Sanz|first=Catherine|date=3 November 2021|title=Paddy Cosgrave accused of 'oppressing' Web Summit co-founder|work=Business Post|url=https://www.businesspost.ie/legal/paddy-cosgrave-accused-of-oppressing-web-summit-co-founder-d6fc9281|access-date=3 November 2021}}{{Cite news|editor-first=Simon |editor-last=Carswell |title=Vendettas, toxic relations and €850 jumpers: new claims from Web Summit's legal battle|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/vendettas-toxic-relations-and-850-jumpers-new-claims-from-web-summit-s-legal-battle-1.4721782|access-date=2021-11-07|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Taylor|first=Charlie|title=Paddy Cosgrave alleged to have hacked rival event company, court documents say|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/paddy-cosgrave-alleged-to-have-hacked-rival-event-company-court-documents-say-1.4736677|access-date=2022-01-07|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}} In the same month, Cosgrave was accused by a former director of Web Summit of regularly demeaning and chastising staff members.{{Cite news|editor-last=Carolan |editor-first=Mary |title=Cosgrave 'routinely chastised and demeaned staff', ex-Web Summit director claims|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/cosgrave-routinely-chastised-and-demeaned-staff-ex-web-summit-director-claims-1.4742262|access-date=2022-01-07|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}} In March 2025, the legal disputes among the Web Summit's co-founders was settled, with Cosgrave agreeing to acquire Kelly's 12% and Hickey's 7% shareholdings in Manders Terrace, the company behind Web Summit. The settlement terms, including the share purchase price, were not publicly disclosed.{{Cite web |title=Web Summit case: Three angry men finally settle their differences |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/03/28/web-summit-case-three-angry-men-finally-settle-their-differences/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}

In February 2022, Cosgrave was sued by John McGuirk for defamation for Tweets posted in December 2021.{{Cite web|title=Web Summit co-founder facing lawsuit over alleged defamation |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/web-summit-co-founder-facing-lawsuit-over-alleged-defamation-1.4813573 |last=Carolan |first=Mary |access-date=2022-02-28 | date=2022-02-28 |website=www.irishtimes.com |publisher=Irish Times |language=en}}

In April 2022, Cosgrave was sued by a former Web Summit PR executive, Mark O’Toole, in the Irish High Court. O’Toole's action related to comments made by Cosgrave in a number of tweets, which O’Toole alleges to be untrue, malicious and defamatory.{{Cite web|title=Web Summit boss Paddy Cosgrave sued for defamation by former employee |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/web-summit-boss-paddy-cosgrave-sued-for-defamation-by-former-employee/41599918.html |last=Phelan |first=Shane |access-date=2022-04-29 | date=2022-04-29 |website=www.independent.ie |publisher=Irish Independent |language=en}}

In November 2022, Cosgrave was sued for defamation by businessman Robert Quirke over a tweet sent in March 2021. Quirke, who is the CEO of Roqu Group, claimed that the tweet was clearly calculated to damage the plaintiff's reputation. The tweet referred to a deal involving Quirke and Roqu and the HSE for the provision of ventilators during the Covid-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=Paddy Cosgrave being sued by businessman over tweet

|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtandcrime/arid-41016965.html |last=O’Faolain|first=Aodhan |access-date=2022-11-28 | date=2022-11-28 |website=www.irishexaminer.com |publisher=Irish Examiner|language=en}}

Cosgrave married model-turned-designer Faye Dinsmore in 2016 and has two sons. In 2022 Cosgrave purchased a Georgian manor and lands in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal for €1.8M.{{Cite web|title=Web Summit cofounder Paddy Cosgrave buys €1.8m Donegal manor |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2023/01/27/paddy-cosgrave-buys-18m-donegal-manor/ |last=Colin |first=Coyle |access-date=2023-05-14 | date=2023-01-27 |website=www.irishtimes.com |publisher=Irish Times |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=My cultural life: Faye Dinsmore|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/banter/my-cultural-life-faye-dinsmore-39544585.html|access-date=2021-11-07|website=independent|date=20 September 2020 |language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://websummit.net/ Web Summit's official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cosgrave, Paddy}}

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