David Carr

Class of 2025, Naughton Fellowship recipient

Dublin City University
Actuarial Mathematics

How did you first learn about Notre Dame’s ESTEEM program and the Naughton Fellowship, and what motivated you to apply?

I first heard about the ESTEEM program through conversations with two lecturers of mine at Dublin City University. Dr. Martin Venker and Dr. Paolo Guasoni both received an informational email regarding the Naughton scholarship opportunity, and they shared it my way! After class one day we spoke and they knew I wasn’t 100% set on pursuing a career as an actuary. So, when this opportunity stumbled across my desk, I began to do my homework! The ESTEEM program's emphasis on combining technical expertise with business acumen immediately caught my attention. I was thinking, “Now, that’s a bit of me!”

What aspects of the program most appealed to you when you were considering a graduate program, and why?

The ESTEEM program stood out because of its unique approach to bridging the gap between technical knowledge and entrepreneurial innovation. I was particularly drawn to the hands-on experience offered, such as working on real-world startups, learning from industry leaders, and gaining a deeper understanding of how to turn innovative ideas into impactful solutions. I had learned about the Friday pitch opportunities, the Race to Revenue competition potential for life post-ESTEEM, and I knew I wanted to earn myself a place in the ‘Top Gun’ class. I had many entrepreneurial ideas in mind that I couldn’t do alone, and knew the Notre Dame support could make all the difference. I loved the idea of the capstone, working with an external company almost as a consultant, gaining real-world experience, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.

How will receiving the Naughton Fellowship help you achieve your goals as a graduate student and young professional?

The Naughton Fellowship has been instrumental in providing me with the resources, mentorship, and network to develop my startup, Pi. Without the fellowship, I doubt I’d find myself in the position I am in right now… and I am just so grateful for the opportunity. It has allowed me to focus on creating a meaningful product and a business with a mission to be a force for good, while gaining invaluable skills through the ESTEEM program. This support is helping me lay a strong foundation for my career and future endeavors. The Naughton Fellowship has been a tremendous help financially, allowing me to dedicate more time and energy to my studies, my startup and work, without the constant worry about financial constraints. I guess the Naughton Fellowship encourages us Irish students to research the ESTEEM programme in particular, as it is a direct and clear path to attending college in the United States. Not every other college offers such a special opportunity, and this, along with many many other factors, is what sets this programme apart.

What does being a Naughton Fellow mean to you?

Being a Naughton Fellow means being part of a community that values innovation, hard work, and global impact. It’s an incredible honour to represent such a prestigious fellowship and to have the opportunity to bring my ideas to life while contributing to the larger mission of fostering innovation across disciplines. I feel blessed everyday and I try to show how grateful I am through the hard work I am putting in right now, as well as the odd video message sent back home to the Naughton family, saying “thank you”!

In what ways has ESTEEM encouraged you to think about the impact of innovation on our world today?

ESTEEM has challenged me to think critically about how innovation can address pressing global issues and improve lives. Through the program’s focus on sustainable and impactful solutions, I’ve come to appreciate the responsibility innovators have to creating products and ideas that serve not just markets, but people and communities. David Murphy, the head of the program, is a real inspiration. He did a mighty job with Better World Books! And he is just one example of the calibre of people who are around you everyday who you just learn so much from.

What specific problem or challenge do you hope to address either during or after the program?

Through my startup, Pi, I’m tackling the challenge of making math education more accessible, engaging, and effective. Many students struggle with traditional learning methods, tutoring is expensive, and I hope to provide a solution that helps them build confidence and improve their grades through gamified learning and personalized support. I’m in the midst of building an addictive game that fosters fun learning. I believe by building an accessible mobile app, namely Pi, any student can replace doom-scrolling with simple active learning… without any real stress or effort. We are looking to make it that simple and enjoyable!

What knowledge, skills, or qualities have you developed so far in the ESTEEM program that you feel will be the most helpful in your career and future pursuits?

The program has strengthened my problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as my ability to communicate technical ideas in a clear, compelling way. I’ve also gained valuable experience in user-centric design, entrepreneurship, and leveraging feedback to iterate on products effectively. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working as a consultant, with AEBetancourt, who have been a joy to work with. All the AI research I’ve conducted is certainly new knowledge to me. It’s such an exciting hot topic and new space. Definitely the most valuable learnings, in my opinion, have come from the “Top Gun” [Tech Startup Sprint] opportunity – learning by doing! The lessons I have been learning about starting your own company, operating hundreds of different jobs and tasks at once, how to speak to customers, investors, how to present, how to network – my networking skills have gone through the roof! I came here without a LinkedIn; now I post weekly! A lot of foundational skills I just might have never learned had I not been given this lucky opportunity.

If you are currently working on an idea, product, or venture, can you tell us more about it, or share your elevator pitch?

I’m currently working on Pi, a Duolingo/Wordle/Chess.com-style platform for math education that gamifies learning to make it more engaging for students. Designed for 15- to 18-year-olds, Pi helps students improve their math skills through personalized practice, daily challenges, and gamified learning. By simplifying complex concepts and offering exam-focused questions, Pi empowers students to achieve their academic goals while enjoying the process. If you enjoy competition, we’ve got leaderboards! It’s preparing students for exams, without the students even realising it… it’s really that simple. By blending education and entertainment, Pi cultivates consistent engagement, boosts grades, and nurtures a love for math. Our mission is to revolutionize math education, making it fun, effective, and addictive—effortless to play, yet transforming users into better mathematicians. Pi makes high-quality math education accessible to all.

What goals are you most excited to pursue after you complete the ESTEEM program?

After completing ESTEEM, I’m most excited to scale Pi and make it accessible to students globally. Beyond that, I hope to continue building impactful products and solutions that address real-world challenges, potentially launching other ventures or working in an innovation-driven organization. Come June time, I will look to land myself my dream job. We’ll see where life takes me! Working in the United States sounds exciting to me, whether that be as a consultant, or in a startup. I am thoroughly enjoying the ride!