Bio
Paul is an Irish entrepreneur who founded several companies and has helped to launch a number of renowned mobile developer communities internationally. After attracting investment from the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Russian and Dubai, Paul is building MetaCert up to become the world's leading company in cybersecurity for Enterprise Message Services and Mobile Apps. In 2003 he founded a software testing and compliance company called Segala. It was the first software testing company worldwide to join the GSM Association and grew into one of the most respected test houses in the mobile industry. Paul started his Internet career when he joined AOL as a young startup during the mid 90's. He started as a technician and soon became the first Technical Accounts Manager and International Beta Coordinator in Europe. He was part of the team that launched technologies such as AIM, X2 56K modem protocol, Internet Radio and Online Games. He spent 12 years in the UK where he was Chair of the British Interactive Media Association for 3 years and Advisor to the British Council on its Digital Pioneer Program with Hong Kong and Advisor to its Creative Entrepreneur Program with India. He gave regular speaking engagements throughout Europe and was a judge at many startup awards. He has spoken about social entrepreneurship at numerous Universities including Hass Business School Berkley, University College Dublin and National University of Ireland in Galway. In 2009 Paul was an Advisor to mobile operator O2, helping it to become more innovative in product development and product marketing. In this capacity he was the brainchild behind the creation of BlueVia, an initiative that has evolved into a payments & developer platform and is now a joint venture between Telefonica and Telnor. In 2007 Paul advised Vodafone in how to create and go-to-market with its developer community initiative called BetaVine. As an Advisor to a number of tech startups in the UK he helped with fundraising and go-to-market strategies. As Advisor to the Board of Angels Den, Europe's largest Angel Network, he helped the network get its tech investments initiative off the ground. He helped to stimulate the startup ecosystem in the UK by creating some of the most widely attended networking events for entrepreneurs and investors and sold a networking events company before leaving London for the Bay Area. Paul is an investor and Partner in one of Dublin's most glamorous Michelin Star Indian restaurants called Jaipur in Malahide, Dublin. He is also Co-founder of a low-interest charity, Shanti Life which helps poor entrepreneurs in India get their businesses off the ground with microfinance loans, mentoring and education in basic literacy skills. He has contributed to more than 10 Industry technical standards and specifications and was one of the seven original founders of the W3C Mobile Web Initiative. He also co-instigated the creation of the W3C standard for content labeling, formally replacing PICS in 2009. He holds a patent for in-app security which was approved in February 2016. Paul likes to travel, keep fit, jump out of planes and stroke nurse sharks 100ft deep in the ocean.