Philip Berber
Philip Berber | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1958 Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin (B.Comm) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, philanthropist |
| Known for | Multi millionaire businessman, Philanthropy |
| Spouse | Donna Berber |
| Website | A Glimmer of Hope |
Philip Berber (born 1958) is an Irish millionaire and philanthropist. He is well known for his former company, CyBerCorp, which he sold for $488 million in 2000 and his subsequent philanthropy through his and his wife's charity, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation.[1][2]
Early life
Berber was born in Dublin in 1958. He attended Wesley College, Dublin in South Dublin. Following school, he attended University College Dublin and studied for a Business Communication degree. In addition to Berber, 'The Class of '79' would boast a number of other high flying business and political figures.[3] He was also in the same classes as Dan O'Connell[disambiguation needed] and Brian MacCaba, the latter with whom he would form one of his first companies in 1984.[1]
Business
In 1984 he set up a high-tech London-based company, Financia, which was bought in 1991 by Frontier Financial of Houston.[4][5]
Berber set up CyBerCorp in 1995. It was one of the first online trading firms for retail investors. He would sell the firm to Charles Schwab in 2000 for $488 million.[6][7]
Philanthropy
Berber and his wife Donna, became heavily involved in philanthropy following the sale of his business. They pledged $100 million in Schwab stock to the A Glimmer of Hope Foundation.[8][9] He is now chairman of the foundation.[8]
He has also donated to his alma mater, UCD, donating money towards their business school. The atrium of the Quinn School of Business is named in his honour.
References
- ^ a b "Prodigal son of Cognotec". Irish Independent. 19 November 2000. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- ^ "A Glimmer of Hope". Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- ^ "Class of '79: Remember their Names". Sunday Tribune. 13 February 2000.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-27669847_ITM
- ^ http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28652854_ITM
- ^ Sandeep Junnarkar (2 February 2000). "Charles Schwab buys CyberCorp, cuts commissions". CNET. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- ^ "Schwab Buys a Day Trader". Wired. 2 February 2000. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Feature: A Glimmer of Hope Foundation". Global Giving Matters (Synergos). June–July 2001. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ Julie Dunn (27 August 2000). "PRIVATE SECTOR; Venture Philanthropy For Africa, Out of Austin". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 October 2013.