Progress Ireland: New Initiative by Stripe Founders to Tackle Ireland’s Challenges
A new philanthropic initiative, “Progress Ireland,” is set to launch this autumn, aiming to bring together some of Ireland’s brightest young entrepreneurs. Spearheaded by Patrick and John Collison of Stripe, this initiative seeks to address pressing issues in Ireland, particularly in the realms of public policy, housing, and infrastructure.
Patrick and John Collison, the billionaire brothers behind the global payments giant Stripe, are at the forefront of this initiative. Known for their outspoken views on the inefficiencies within Ireland’s planning and housing systems, the Collisons aim to leverage their influence and resources to drive meaningful change.
The core mission of Progress Ireland is to conduct in-depth research on public policy issues affecting the country. According to sources close to the project, the initiative will involve a high-level collaboration between successful entrepreneurs and academics. The goal is to generate actionable insights and policy recommendations that can help streamline processes and improve living conditions in Ireland.
John Collison has been particularly vocal about the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder progress in Ireland. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he questioned the necessity of extensive “red tape” and ecological paperwork that delay essential projects like housing and energy infrastructure. His frustrations are shared by many in the tech and business communities, who see these obstacles as significant barriers to growth and development.
In a 2022 interview with the Sunday Independent, John Collison highlighted the slow pace of housing construction as one of Ireland’s most pressing issues. He questioned why it is so difficult to build new housing and suggested that any solution not involving increased construction would inevitably exclude some people from living in Dublin, a scenario he finds unacceptable.
Ireland’s housing crisis has been a major social and political issue for the past decade. The slow rate of construction, coupled with stringent planning regulations, has exacerbated the problem. The Collison brothers believe that more efficient processes and innovative policy solutions are crucial to addressing these challenges.
Another area of concern for John Collison is Ireland’s work visa system. He has criticized the lengthy processing times, which disproportionately affect high-tech companies looking to recruit skilled engineers from abroad. In his view, the system should be as efficient as the country’s passport renewal process, which he praised for its speed and effectiveness.
Progress Ireland will be led by Sean Keyes, a former finance correspondent at The Currency, who is expected to take on the role of CEO. Keyes holds an M.A. in Economics from University College Dublin (UCD) and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Trinity College Dublin (TCD). His expertise will be instrumental in guiding the initiative’s research and policy development efforts.
Company records indicate that a new entity, ‘Sslf Progress Ireland,’ was established on December 18th of last year. The directors of the company include Luke Fehily, Sean O’Neill McPartlin, and Sean Keyes. Sean O’Neill McPartlin is also the co-founder of the Better Planning Alliance, an organisation dedicated to researching innovative policy solutions in the housing sector.
Progress Ireland represents a significant step towards addressing some of the critical issues facing the country today. By bringing together a diverse group of entrepreneurs and academics, the initiative aims to foster innovative solutions that can make Ireland a better place to live. With the backing of influential figures like the Collison brothers, there is hope that this initiative will drive the changes needed to overcome the bureaucratic and systemic challenges hindering progress in Ireland.
