Web Summit goes on hiring spree with dotcom-era perks

Free accommodation for new hires while they find a permanent place in Dublin

Web Summit co-founder Paddy Cosgrave: renting in Dublin “sucks”.
Web Summit co-founder Paddy Cosgrave: renting in Dublin “sucks”.

Web Summit co-founder Paddy Cosgrave is on a hiring spree.

In a blog post this week he said the business had employed 100 people over the last year, with another 50 jobs open.

He also revealed some of the company’s hiring secrets. Renting in Dublin, Cosgrave said, “sucks”.

To help staff relocate here, Web Summit has a six-bedroomed house in leafy Dartry, near its office.

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“Folks flying in for interviews or recently hired can stay rent-free while they’re finding a permanent place in Dublin,” he said.

Web Summit mainly targets Irish tech-heads working abroad. Presumably most of them have degrees from Trinity, Cosgrave’s favourite.

The company’s work environment sounds great, but oh-so dotcom: free on-site yoga classes, pizza and beer on Fridays, weekly summer BBQs and an orchard and dog run at the office.

Cosgrave is currently preparing for the latest summit in Hong Kong this month, known as Rise. "Mr China", PCH's Liam Casey, is among the speakers.

Meanwhile, one of the roles currently advertised back in Dublin is a personal assistant for “one of the founders” of the summit. Cosgrave must be busy.