The David McWilliams Podcast The Art of Creation with The Edge
Oct 7, 2025
The Edge, the lead guitarist of U2 and chair of Endeavor in Ireland, discusses the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship. He shares insights on the importance of mentorship, the shared mentality of rock bands and startups, and the need for Ireland to foster a vibrant homegrown startup ecosystem. The conversation touches on how cultural attitudes, like begrudgery, can stifle success and the significance of embracing failure and curiosity. With anecdotes from U2's journey, The Edge emphasizes continuous learning and the potential for Ireland to become a decentralized tech hub.
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Mentorship Multiplies Entrepreneurial Success
- Endeavor is a global mentorship network that helps scaling entrepreneurs access experience and networks they lack locally.
- The organisation focuses on selective admission and hands-on support to multiply successful founders' impact.
Get In Only When You're Ready To Scale
- Apply only when your business shows traction and real scale potential because Endeavor is highly selective.
- Prepare for local and international selection panels that scrutinise your model, history, and projections.
Bands Operate Like Startups
- Rock bands and startups share the same mindset: dedication, hiring correctly, protecting a vision, and continual decision-making.
- U2 treated the industry like a learning ecosystem, actively infiltrating and studying it rather than passively relying on labels.