‘If you were their dad, you'd never shut up about them': how Stripe founders Patrick and John Collison came full circle
As the billionaires' firm was announced as sponsors of the Young Scientist competition that catapulted Patrick into the limelight, John Meagher charts the brothers' remarkable rise
It was January 2005, and the Irish Independent's headline declared 16-year-old Patrick Collison 'the smartest redhead in Ireland'.
He had just won the Esat BT Young Scientist of the Year, 12 months after finishing a runner-up in the competition.
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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
‘If you were their dad, you'd never shut up about them': how Stripe founders Patrick and John Collison came full circle
As the billionaires' firm was announced as sponsors of the Young Scientist competition that catapulted Patrick into the limelight, John Meagher charts the brothers' remarkable rise It was January 2005, and the Irish Independent's headline declared 16-year-old Patrick Collison 'the smartest redhead in Ireland'. He had just won the Esat BT Young Scientist of the Year, 12 months after finishing a runner-up in the competition.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
‘If you were their dad, you'd never shut about them': how Stripe founders Patrick and John Collison came full circle
As the billionaires' firm was announced as sponsors of the Young Scientist competition that catapulted Patrick into the limelight, John Meagher charts the brothers' remarkable rise It was January 2005, and the Irish Independent's headline declared 16-year-old Patrick Collison 'the smartest redhead in Ireland'. He had just won the Esat BT Young Scientist of the Year, 12 months after finishing a runner-up in the competition.
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Collision brothers' Stripe to sponsor Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
Stipe is the new sponsor of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE), 20 years after Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison was a winner at the prestigious STEM exhibition. Stripe has signed a five-year agreement and assumes the role of title sponsor for YSTE from BT Ireland who, up until this year, was custodian, sponsor and organiser of the exhibition for the past 25 years. Founded by Patrick and John Collison in 2010, Stripe has grown into one the world's top companies for digital payments, and is valued at $91.5bn (€80bn), employing around 8,500 workers worldwide. "YSTE is a special institution for me and John. It amplified our curiosity and reinforced our confidence at a critical juncture. We're honoured that Stripe has been selected to help preserve it for generations to come," said Patrick Collison. The exhibition was founded by Dr Tony Scott and Rev Dr Tom Burke in 1965 and attracts more than 40,000 visitors annually, making it one of the biggest events of its kind both in Europe and worldwide. "Stripe's support ensures we can continue to inspire the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, and innovators. It's vital that we not only sustain the strong reputation and level of interest in the exhibition year-on-year, but continue to evolve and engage young inquiring minds in new and meaningful ways for years to come," said Dr Scott. The online entry system for the upcoming YSTE taking place from January 7-10, 2026 is already open.
