Philip Berber
Encyclopedia
Philip Berber is an Irish
millionaire and philanthropist
. He is well known for his former company, CyBerCorp, which he sold for $488 million dollars in 2000 and his subsequent philanthropy through his and his wife's charity, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
.
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. He was also in the same classes as Dan O'Connell and Brian MacCaba
, the latter with whom he would form one of his first companies with in 1984.
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 dollars.
His net worth as of 2009 is estimated at $295 million USD, placing him within the top 50 wealthiest individuals in Ireland.
. He is now chairman of the foundation.
He has also donated to his alma mater, UCD, donating money towards their business school.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
millionaire and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. He is well known for his former company, CyBerCorp, which he sold for $488 million dollars in 2000 and his subsequent philanthropy through his and his wife's charity, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
The A Glimmer of Hope Foundation was founded by Texas-based philanthropists Philip Berber and Donna Berber to reduce extreme poverty in rural Ethiopia. In 2010, Philip and Donna were ranked #7 by Barron's in its list of '25 Best Givers' in the world,...
.
Early life
Berber was born in Dublin in 1958. He attended Wesley College, DublinWesley College, Dublin
This article is about Wesley College in Dublin, Ireland. See Wesley College for articles on other institutions named "Wesley College"....
in South Dublin. Following school, he attended University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
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. He was also in the same classes as Dan O'Connell and Brian MacCaba
Brian MacCaba
Brian MacCaba is a multi-millionaire businessman born and raised in Ireland but now primarily based in London and Jerusalem. Although he made his fortune in the e-commerce sector through his company Cognotec, he is perhaps best known for his part in the infamous 'Indecent Proposal' libel case...
, the latter with whom he would form one of his first companies with in 1984.
Business
In 1984 he set up a high-tech London-based company, Financia, which was bought in 1991 by Frontier Financial of Houston.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
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab may refer to:*Charles M. Schwab , American steel magnate*Charles R. Schwab , founder of the eponymous brokerage*Charles Schwab Corp., an American based brokerage firm...
in 2000 for $488 million dollars.
His net worth as of 2009 is estimated at $295 million USD, placing him within the top 50 wealthiest individuals in Ireland.
Philantropy
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 FoundationA Glimmer of Hope Foundation
The A Glimmer of Hope Foundation was founded by Texas-based philanthropists Philip Berber and Donna Berber to reduce extreme poverty in rural Ethiopia. In 2010, Philip and Donna were ranked #7 by Barron's in its list of '25 Best Givers' in the world,...
. He is now chairman of the foundation.
He has also donated to his alma mater, UCD, donating money towards their business school.