David McCourt is an internationally regarded business leader and investor, best-selling author, Emmy award-winning TV producer and philanthropist.
Described by The Economist as possessing "impeccable credentials as a telecom revolutionary", McCourt has been one of the most prominent investors and entrepreneurs in the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) industries for the past 30 years.
McCourt is a leading voice on the positive advancement of Artificial Intelligence and was appointed an Adjunct Full Professor at University College Dublin (UCD) to support the School’s global ambitions in AI.
As the founder of the RISE Global Foundation, McCourt initiated a Community Fund to provide cash grants to people in rural communities looking to use cutting edge technologies and an entrepreneurial mindset to scale the impact of their work and create new jobs.
In his esteemed career, McCourt has founded or bought over 20 TMT companies in nine countries, with many of his latest ventures rethinking traditional business models with proprietary uses of AI.
As the owner and Chairman of National Broadband Ireland, McCourt is currently working in partnership with the Irish Government in the largest Public Private Partnership in European telecoms to deliver the country’s €5bn National Broadband Plan. Globally, this is the single largest investment ever in telecoms infrastructure by Government intervention and is widely regarded as the world’s most ambitious broadband rollout to revitalize rural communities and stop the creation of socio-economic divides.
His work in media has seen him found a television network as well as produce award winning TV shows and documentaries. He personally won an Emmy for his role hitting documentaries with stars including Angelina Jolie, Michael Douglas, Meg Ryan and Sônia Braga, and has worked alongside Spike Lee, LeVar Burton and Bill Duke.
His debut book ‘Total Rethink: Why Entrepreneurs Should Act Like Revolutionaries’ quickly became a best- seller with the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon, striking a chord with young entrepreneurs looking to disrupt the status quo.
Awards and Accolades
- US President Ronald Reagan presented McCourt with the first-ever award from the White House recognizing extraordinary accomplishments by private sector businesses.
- Selected as “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young LLP and named “Top Entrepreneur” by the Harvard Business School Club of New York.
- Named the inaugural “Economist in Residence” at the University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
- The inaugural Executive in Residence for Entrepreneurial Economics and Innovation by Georgetown University.
- The American-Irish Historical Society presented McCourt with its gold medal, an award previously bestowed on Ronald Reagan, Mary Higgins Clark and Bono.
- Awarded the Science Foundation Ireland medal for outstanding contribution to technology and innovation.
- Named Businessman of the Year by the Irish Chambers of Commerce.
- Presented with an Honorary Degree of Economic Science by University College Dublin for his outstanding service to global business.
- Presented with the Ireland-US Council’s prestigious ‘Outstanding Achievement award.
- Recognized for ‘outstanding services to Ireland’ at the 2024 Tip O’Neill Diaspora Awards.
- Appointed an Adjunct Full Professor at University College Dublin (UCD) to support the School’s global ambitions in Artificial Intelligence.
