From just 200 people in a lecture hall in Trinity College Dublin in 2010 to 4,200 people at Dublin’s RDS in 2012, the Dublin Web Summit and its sister event F.ounders have been going from strength to strength. Today it has been revealed that the company behind it is to create 30 new jobs, bringing total headcount to close to 60 people.
The events firm, which now runs events in Dublin, London, Berlin and New York, has attracted the founders of YouTube, Skype, Twitter, LinkedIn, Netflix, Flipboard and many others to share their wisdom, experiences and insights. In recent weeks, it emerged that the company will also run the prestigious Europas start-up awards in Berlin in January.
In 2013, the group will expand its operations in the US, Asia and Africa. Founder Paddy Cosgrave’s team will also open up its first office in the US.
Twenty-nine-year-old Cosgrave started the company from his bedroom and it gained pace when he recruited friends David Kelly, who has a background in finance, and journalist Daire Hickey, to help run the operation.
The company currently employs 30 full-time staff operating out of the offices of an old architecture firm in Ranelagh, Dublin.
Cream of the crop
Cosgrave said: “We’ve come a long way from the days of my bedroom. We now run the largest tech start-up event in Europe and are aiming to do something similar in the US. We’ve already attracted an incredibly smart and talented bunch of people and we’re looking for more bright people.
“Many of the guys have graduated top of their class in science or law. We’re looking for bright people, who might have a passion for tech, or at least an interest.”
The jobs on offer include designers, developers, speaker co-ordinators, finance positions and a grad scheme.
“Last year, we hired some of the top graduates from our best universities. Our intern programme was a huge success, perhaps partly because we really empower people when they come into the group. Our interns travel the world and meet some of the most incredible entrepreneurs in the world.
“People move fast within the organisation,” said Cosgrave. “We’re only interested in taking on the brightest university-educated people. We’re looking for entrepreneurs, people who may not be thrilled by the prospect of a career in law, accounting or medicine,” Cosgrave said.
