Jim O Brien/CEO - techbuzzireland.com

SEON Raises $94 Million Series B to Address Exponential Growth of Online Fraud

SEON, a London-based Anglo-Hungarian startup that powers online fraud prevention raised $94 million in Series B funding. Led by Silicon Valley-based IVP, the round also includes existing investors Creandum and PortfoLion, as well as, angel investors including founders and senior executives from the very best product-led tech companies: Aiven, Coinbase, DataDog, DoorDash, Figma, G2, GitHub, Public, Slack, Supercell, UiPath, Veriff, and Wise. The funding, which comes just a year after the company’s Series A, will be used to expand SEON’s presence in North America, LATAM, and APAC, build partnerships with leading e-commerce platforms, heighten product functionality, and integrate additional data sources to help customers better fight fraud.

As the pandemic accelerated consumer activity and transactions online, identity fraud has grown exponentially. Fraud is a problem faced by every company that transacts with customers online from the world’s most significant financial technology companies to online marketplaces, digital health, education, gaming, and e-commerce companies. Bad actors are becoming increasingly sophisticated and companies need better tools to fight back. Historically, effective fraud tools were only readily accessible to large enterprises with the budget and staff to handle complex implementations. SEON democratizes access to fraud-fighting technology, making the internet a safer place for business.

“SEON is bringing something different to the fraud prevention market by offering an accessible and flexible solution, which delivers instant results. Once discovered, our solution can be trialed by potential customers in less than 30 seconds and up and running in less than a day,” said Tamas Kadar, CEO and Co-founder at SEON.

With an API-first approach, SEON allows enterprises to plug into their system and go live within 24 hours. SEON’s Data Enrichment module uses data to establish an individual’s digital footprint based on their email address, phone number, IP address, or location in real-time. This GDPR-compliant approach to analyzing a user’s digital footprint helps companies accept more transactions while blocking fraudulent ones. SEON’s Full fledged platform leverages the company’s advanced machine learning capabilities to help global enterprise teams set rules, wean out false accounts, and detect fraud in real-time. The company’s solution can verify users with zero friction, enabling businesses to save money and fully complement their KYC / IDV checks.

SEON experienced significant growth in 2021 and is now the go-to fraud prevention solution for companies like Revolut, NuBank, Afterpay, Patreon, Sorare and mollie. In 2021, the company more than tripled its annual recurring revenue, grew its headcount by 4X, and opened new offices in Austin, and Jakarta.

Along with welcoming IVP into its portfolio of investors, SEON will appoint Michael Miao, Partner at IVP to its board.

“Identity is one of the most important and biggest problems on the Internet. This product-led team is making a remarkable dent in fraud prevention by making it easy for every business to adopt its data-driven solution. As fraud explodes at an exponential rate, IVP is honored to help guide this talented group as they work to expedite the fight against online fraud,” said Michael Miao, Partner at IVP.

For more information about SEON and its Series B announcement, please visit SEON’s blogpost or watch their announcement video.

About SEON:

SEON is the go-to fraud prevention solution for ambitious FinTech leaders, like Revolut, NuBank, Afterpay, Patreon, Sorare and mollie. By offering rapid integration and pay-as-you-go flexibility, SEON is able to offer a simplified, modern way to fight fraud. The company’s industry-leading solution uses AI and fully explainable machine learning to adapt across sectors.

Since its formation, SEON has served over 5,000 merchants and reviewed over 1 billion transactions. In turn, this has helped the company to save its customers more than €50 million in potentially fraudulent transactions. The globally focused business operates offices in Austin (TX), Budapest, London, Jakarta and Singapore.

With specialties in the neo banking, crypto, eCommerce and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), Web 3.0 sectors, SEON is well-equipped to deal with the demands of modern online fraud prevention and has recently launched an AI-based fraud detection and one click prevention app on Shopify.

First Look – Tronsmart Trip Bluetooth Speaker

Summer is coming and when it comes to tech we are not short of choices,again like any tech there is something for all pockets and everyone is catered for, with Tronsmart this brand is consistent with great quality audio products and they have a great range of speakers too and their latest model the Tronsmart Trip has landed.

As with most out tech we let you take a first look to give an idea of what it is all about then you can fire away with your questions whilst we test it so check out the unboxing below and watch out for a full review soon when we will have more hands on and of course audio samples and less of the stock image approach..

Features

SoundPulse® Technology.
Up to 20 Hours of Playtime.
IPX7 Waterproof.
TrueWireless Stereo Pairing.
Built-in Microphone.

BUY

Video Link

Sennheiser introduces the SPORT True Wireless earbuds

SPORT True Wireless delivers an exceptional sound experience thanks to Sennheiser’s TrueResponse transducer. Designed and engineered in Germany, the acoustic system is powered by a unique 7mm dynamic driver that delivers full bass and superior clarity without distortion – even at high volume. The SPORT True Wireless also puts athletes in control of how they experience sound and perceive their surroundings. The unique Adaptable Acoustic feature allows athletes to choose either open or closed ear adapters and adjust EQ settings for the perfect custom training sound.

The open ear adapters in combination with the Aware EQ settings help to reduce body-borne noise and allow some outside sounds to enter for better situational awareness. In this mode, runners hear fewer distracting noises such as their own heartbeat or footsteps and more of their surroundings, blending their favourite exercise playlist with sounds of nature or the city while improving awareness. Those who prefer their own music in noisy gyms and don’t want to be distracted by the busy environment will find peace of mind with the closed ear adapter and Focus EQ settings.

In addition to the Sennheiser Smart Control App’s Focus and Aware EQ settings, athletes can make fully customisable presets for their listening experience via the Sound Check feature. The intuitive touch controls of the SPORT True Wireless let users personalise the sound to their preferences and facilitate access to audio navigation and voice assistants. Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility and support for audio codecs like SBC, AAC and aptX also make it easy to stay connected to mobile devices, smartwatches, smart TVs, and connected fitness devices for a seamless audio experience.

A secure fit that can be counted on
“Every movement during sports is a challenge for your earbuds fit to keep delivering great sound. For anyone who likes to listen to music while exercising, it’s important to be able to concentrate fully on the sport without fear of the earbuds slipping out of place. As all ears are unique in shape and size ‘one fits all’ is not secure, so we have focused on providing a fully customisable solution for maximum wearing comfort and a secure fit.” says David Holm, Sennheiser Sports Product Manager.

The ergonomic design of the SPORT True Wireless was developed precisely for this purpose. The earbuds can be customised with a choice of ear adapters in three sizes and four different ear fins to withstand any workout. With an IP54 rating, the SPORT True Wireless is dust and splash resistant and can also easily withstand sweat, runs in the rain, and even workouts at the beach.

Runs longer than you can
The SPORT True Wireless doesn’t just stand up to the physical challenges. With a battery life of 9 hours, and another 18 hours with the charging case, it offers uncompromising performance to go the distance.

Pricing and availability
The Sennheiser SPORT True Wireless can be pre-ordered starting now and will be available on May 3, 2022, with an MSRP of 119.99 GBP/129.90 EUR.

Sennheiser launches the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3

The multi-award-winning MOMENTUM series from Sennheiser introduces a new member to the family. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 set new standards when it comes to sound quality, adaptive noise cancellation (ANC), and wearing comfort. Encased in a design that was defined using high-quality materials and precise workmanship, the earbuds offer a range of technologies and features that take the listening experience to a new level.

“Our MOMENTUM series continuously succeeds in redefining the boundaries of possibility,” said Frank Foppe, Sennheiser True Wireless Product Manager. “The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 build on a powerful heritage. With the Sennheiser Signature Sound, TrueResponse technology, next-level adaptive noise cancellation and an even better fit, these earbuds are the natural successor of the MOMENTUM series.”

A superior sound experience
Just like its predecessors, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 delivers outstanding sound quality, centred around Sennheiser’s True Response transducer. Based on dynamic 7mm drivers manufactured in Germany, it produces an immersive stereo sound with deep bass, natural mids and detailed highs. The new Sound Personalisation feature provides an enhanced sound experience via a guided listening test to setup the perfect sound for each user’s individual hearing. In addition, the Smart Control App offers a choice of presets and an equaliser feature to tailor the sound to the user’s taste.

Since the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 was created for everyday life on-the-go, Sennheiser has specifically improved the earbuds with Adaptive Noise Cancellation which automatically adjusts to your environment. The system continuously observes ambient noise to suppress it in real time. Users who want to be aware of their surroundings to hear things such as train announcements, for example, can deactivate the noise cancellation at the touch of a button, or switch to transparency mode.

For the best possible synchronisation between audio and visual content, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 support a wide range of audio codecs such as AAC, SBC and aptX™ Adaptive, which reduce latency to a minimum. In addition, each earbud now features three microphones that promote crystal-clear call quality, enabling smooth and easy-to-follow video calls. The intuitive touch controls of the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3, which users can tailor to their personal preferences, make it easy to navigate the audio and access voice assistants.

Exceptional design and extraordinary comfort
Winner of a 2022 Red Dot Design Award, the new stylish and futuristic ergonomic design enables a long-lasting comfortable fit. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 also comes with several silicone pads in different sizes that are designed to fit all ear shapes and sizes. Thanks to its IPX4-certified splash-resistant casing, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 is made for almost any adventure. Whether it’s running in the rain or a strenuous fitness session, the new Sennheiser earbuds deliver a top-class listening experience even under adverse conditions.

No matter where users of the new MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 may be, a battery life of seven hours – which can be extended to 28 hours using the case – means that users no longer have to worry about finding a power source nearby. And because the high-quality case supports wireless charging, the process itself is easy as it can be.

Pricing and availability
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 is now available for pre-order, and will be available from 10th May 2022 with a RRP of £219.99 / €249.90 in black, white and graphite.

Non-Fungible Motors: You Can Now Get An NFT Of Your Car, So You Can Love It Long After It’s Gone

A new service has been launched by Scrap Car Comparison that gives car lovers the opportunity to get their hands on a one of a kind NFT of their prized motor, so they have the ultimate keepsake of their car which will last for eternity.

Partnering with NFT artist Amy Kilner to make the service possible, the UK-based scrap comparison company has opened up the opportunity to give anyone who’s said goodbye to their beloved car the chance to have it immortalised on the blockchain. Motorists simply need to register their interest on the Scrap Car Comparison website by Sunday 22nd May 2022.

We reminisce fondly about our first cars, the ones that gave us our independence and got us on the roads, and often had a lot of character too, but unfortunately, there’s always a time when we’ll have to say goodbye. While we’d previously wave our cars away as they got taken off into the distance, with only photos to help us take a drive down memory lane, this unique opportunity will give car lovers the virtual ownership rights, as well as the physical.

And so that potential owners have an idea of what their Non-Fungible Motor will look like, Scrap Car Comparison has created two examples inspired by two of the UK’s most driven (and scrapped) cars.

To gauge interest in the new service, one lucky car owner will be given a unique NFT of their car, with the opportunity for full personalisation – from pesky scratches that have gone un-repaired to missing hubcaps or other accessories such as stickers, personal registration plates, favourite air fresheners and more. The artwork will then be recorded on the blockchain, registered to its rightful owner forever – or at least until they decide to trade or sell.

Dan Gick, Managing Director of Scrap Car Comparison comments:

“Thousands of cars go to the scrap heap each year, but more often than not, our customers are extremely sad to be saying goodbye to their cars. We’ve all sat around with a group of friends and swapped stories about our first cars, and often their quirks and niggles, but don’t always have photos of them to share. In many cases, people will also personalise their vehicles, either with personal registration plates and more expensive modifications, or smaller meaningful accessories that are significant to them. Although we may have photos, the essence of our favourite vehicles is something that has historically been hard to capture.

With this in mind, we want to try and bring car ownership into the digital age, by taking the step into NFTs and web3, and giving car fans their own piece of art that will be forever available for them to see online. It might not be for everyone, but we’re sure that some people would love to have their car with them virtually, as well as physically, so we’re very excited to offer this opportunity to the market!”

The Non-Fungible Motors service will initially be available to one lucky car owner, with the registration form open until 23:59 Sunday 22nd May 2022. To find out more and register interest in the service, visit: https://www.scrapcarcomparison.co.uk/blog/non-fungible-motors/

Gas Networks Ireland named Green Public Sector Organisation of the Year at Green Awards 2022

Following another successful year delivering on its holistic sustainability programme, Gas Networks Ireland was named Green Public Sector Organisation of the Year at the 2022 Green Awards at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road in Ballsbridge..

The semi-state utility was also shortlisted for the Green Energy Provider Award and to retain its Green Large Organisation of the Year Award for a third year, which were won by SSE Airtricity and An Post respectively.

Additionally, Gas Networks Ireland was selected by the judges to be one of six organisations shortlisted for the Green Business of the Year Award – an award it won last year, but was deservingly won this year by Hotel Doolin.

Gas Networks Ireland Sustainability Manager Anne Moore said winning a green award for the third year in a row was a testament to the whole organisation’s commitment to sustainability

“We are delighted to be recognised for our contribution to sustainability and our commitment to maintaining the highest standard of excellence in our operation of the gas network. We are extremely proud of all our staff for their hard work, passion and continued dedication,” Ms Moore said.

“Sustainability is very important for Gas Networks Ireland and we aim to deliver our services in a sustainable manner that contributes to the protection of the environment while supporting the social and economic development of the communities we operate in, as well as the wider economy.”

One of only 46 companies in Ireland to hold a Business Working Responsibly Mark, Gas Networks Ireland was also recognised for “taking coordinated action on climate issues” and achieved a ‘B‘ in the Carbon Disclosure Platform (CDP) global emissions ratings, exceeding the global, European and sector averages to finish in the top quartile of all businesses assessed globally.

Ireland’s national gas network is considered one of the safest and most modern gas networks in the world and will play a crucial role in Ireland’s cleaner energy future.

The semi-state utility advanced its journey to a decarbonised gas network with approval from An Bord Pleanála for Ireland’s second renewable gas injection facility in Mitchelstown, the development of a hydrogen research and development facility in Citywest and the opening of its third and fourth public compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling stations in Limerick City and Clonshaugh.

“Climate change is one of the most urgent global challenges we face and as the operators of Ireland’s gas infrastructure, sustainability is a focal point of our plans to decarbonise the gas network in line with national and EU policy,” Ms Moore said.

In a European first, the company partnered with environmental group, Leave No Trace Ireland, Coillte and the Burncourt Community Group to help restore Glengarra Wood in Co. Tipperary as part of the international “Hot Spot” programme.

The organisation also backed over 52,000 hours of social inclusion and environmental education initiatives within communities across Ireland, with staff completing over 890-hours of volunteering.

“As a business, we are on a continuous journey to reduce our emissions and continue to support and promote biodiversity within our communities,” Ms Moore said.

Gas Networks Ireland’s fourth annual Sustainability Report, which is in line with the Global Reporting Initiative standard and includes more highlights from 2021, will be published later this quarter.

Bolt, the mobility super-app, has pledged to plant a tree every time the Bolt app is used on Earth Day

Bolt, the mobility super-app, has pledged to plant a tree every time the Bolt app is used on Earth Day this Friday. The global initiative will be live across all Bolt products in Ireland and will result in millions of trees being planted.

The pledge will be delivered in partnership with Seedballs, a reforestation project in Kenya.

Seedballs Kenya is the first in a series of nature-based solutions Bolt is investing in to generate better impacts for the environment as part of the company’s commitment to neutralise the impact of its own operations.

Working closely with Seedballs Kenya, Bolt will facilitate the spread of 25 Tons of indigenous seeds to damaged land across Kenya where natural reforestation is unlikely to occur, the equivalent to planting 11.25 million trees. The Earth Day initiative will result in millions more trees being planted.

James Bowpitt – Ireland Country Manager – Bolt, said: “Having a positive environmental impact is a core part of Bolt’s mission: to build cities for people, not cars. In addition to helping reduce emissions in cities by providing alternatives to private car ownership, we are committed to alleviating the environmental impact of our operations through projects like Seedballs and are pleased to go one step further to mark Earth Day with this new initiative.”

Teddy Kinyanjui, Co-founder – Seedballs said: “In Kenya, like many other countries, the forests and grasslands are under great pressure. One of the many challenges of landscape scale restoration is that indigenous seeds are often food for different types of animals like mice and birds. That’s where we come in. The Seedballs program overcomes this challenge by coating native seeds in waste charcoal dust which prevents the seeds from being eaten. This means that the native grass and tree seeds can be planted year round rather than waiting for the rainy season. When it rains enough, the charcoal dust dissolves and the seed sinks into the ground back to its natural state, ready to grow.”

For Bolt, this project is the latest example of the business’ commitment to reducing its overall impact on the environment which started with the launch of its Green Plan in 2019. By investing millions into the Green Plan, Bolt has adapted its operations to minimise its impact on the environment, neutralising over 4.5 billion km of rides; becoming the first e-scooter platform to operate climate positive e-scooters in December 2020; and launching e-bikes across Europe in 2021.

Wisetek Celebrates Earth Day 2022

To mark Earth Day 2022 on 22nd April, Wisetek, a global leader in advanced IT asset disposition (ITAD), data destruction, technology reuse and manufacturing services, is calling on global companies to ethically manage their e-waste collection and destruction, and to be proactive in their sustainability initiatives and policies.

Wisetek has recently partnered with Trees on the Land, a cross-border initiative working to establish young native trees across Ireland, on a commitment to plant a tree for every order placed on their ecommerce site, Wisetek Store. Wisetek and Trees on the Land are currently in the process of planting 5,000 trees at sites across Co. Cork.

The company has a dedicated environmental committee and Corporate Sustainable Initiatives programme in place, with the objective of continually improving the internal environmental policies and processes at its facilities across Ireland, the UK, the USA, the Middle East and Thailand. Some of these initiatives include:

Supporting Local Communities – The Deng Forest Community live in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand, which is outside the current reach of the national electricity grid. In 2014 Wisetek initially donated 1,200 batteries to the community, in co-operation with the Thai Ministry for Energy and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) to operate the installed solar panels that create an electricity source for the community. Since 2014, Wisetek has donated up to 9,600 batteries to the Deng Forest Community.
Environmental week is an annual event within Wisetek that aims to encourage employees to take part in environmental activities. This week focuses on the theme of “Waste Not, Want Not”, with staff taking part in activities and projects with reused materials that would otherwise be considered waste.
Employee WEEE Days are a service that Wisetek offer to our employees that enables them to bring in their electronic waste and it will be responsibly disposed of, free of charge.

The theme of Earth Day this year is ‘Invest in Our Planet’. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

Sean Sheehan, CEO of Wisetek, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of all Wisetek’s operations, and is a core value by which we abide. It is our hope that Earth Day 2022 will help to raise awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship among Irish and international businesses. I would like to thank all our employees for their continued efforts in executing on our sustainability initiatives, including our recent partnership with Trees on the land. In order to safeguard our environment, it is essential that companies take ownership of their environmental footprint and are proactive in finding ways to reduce it.”

Last year, Wisetek recycled over five million pounds of IT materials, including desktop computers, laptops, phones and printers, on behalf of its clients. This resulted in a reduction of over 7 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Over 150,000 pounds of toxic materials were also diverted from landfill by the company. According to the e-Stewards Global Impact Calculator, these sustainability saving equate to the impact of over 17,600 trees.

Empowering the Sustainable Cities of the Future with Technology

By Jason Ward, Jason Ward, Vice-President and Managing Director, Dell Technologies Ireland

Data has quickly become one of the most critical elements to enable the success of not just businesses, but society as a whole. Envision a carbon-negative urban environment, with a population consuming less than what is generated, from energy and water to household efficiency through to efficient green buildings. All thanks to data.

On Earth Day, we can imagine this future and work towards realising it. As we reflect on the current environmental challenges facing our planet, data and technology have a crucial part to play in tackling climate change.

Current Challenges

By 2050, the United Nations predicts that 68% of the world’s population will be concentrated in urban centres, as compared with 54% in 2014 and 30% in 1950^[1]. Such a rapid shift in the rural-urban population distribution, along with a rise in information and communication technology (ICT), is driving the social and economic transformation of cities. To continue to flourish, cities will need to address and manage population growth, safety, traffic, pollution, commerce and economic growth in a sustainable way.

As local authorities, government agencies, and urban planners set out to digitally transform urban landscapes and systems to address these challenges, technology innovations and data should be the driving force behind their vision.

Sustainable Digital Cities

Data will be central in our drive towards more sustainable cities, by revolutionising the way cities are managed – allowing us to use resources more efficiently. Thanks to hybrid cloud capabilities, IoT sensors, and edge computing, we can now analyse data in real-time and take immediate actions.

Recent studies suggest that cities are responsible for up to 72% of global greenhouse gas emissions^[2], with transport and buildings being among the largest contributors. Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), city and police force officials are now adopting smart traffic management with intelligent traffic lights that can optimise traffic flows to save drivers’ time and reduce CO2 emissions.

Managing air pollution can be achieved with smart beacons in real-time. These can have health as well as sustainability benefits as they could be used to alert people with asthma to dangerous levels of pollution.

Today’s cities produce vast amounts of data. As 5G advances, edge computing will leap into action transforming what is possible, as data grows exponentially. The deployment of edge computing will for example reduce the flow of unnecessary data which will cut down on resources used to cool storage units and enable more sustainable data management.

In the context of commercial developments within our cities, AI is the tool of choice for operators to help drive energy efficiency in most factories and production facilities. By forecasting energy demand and consumption and scheduling power-intensive tasks accordingly, this solution is driving the sustainable factories of the future.

Driving Sustainability at Dell

Curbing climate change and carbon emissions requires a multifaceted and societal approach. Technology and digital innovation are however important tools that can play a crucial role in supporting sustainable societal ambitions. This process starts with us.

At Dell Technologies, sustainable operations are at the core of our business. We are particularly focused on accelerating the circular economy, protecting the planet, and championing the people who make our products. To ensure everyone benefits from the sustainable cities we are all building, we have committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2030 as part of our Progress Made Real goals, in line with Ireland’s own Climate Action journey.

As part of these commitments, we have set out to push the boundaries of sustainable design for our PCs and combat e-waste, the fastest growing domestic waste stream in the world. With Concept Luna, a pioneering initiative developed in collaboration with Intel, we are exploring design ideas to make components immediately accessible, replaceable and reusable—reducing resource use and keeping even more circular materials in the economy. If all the design ideas in Concept Luna were realized, we are expecting to see an estimated 50% reduction in the overall product carbon footprint.

Here in Ireland, we recently announced the expansion of our Asset Recovery Services. This programme supports any brand of laptop, desktop, server, peripheral or accessory, helping businesses receive value from their existing devices and implement sustainable recycling. It is thanks to schemes like this that have made it possible for Dell to recover more than 2.5 billion electronics since 2008.

Committing to Earth Day

This Earth Day, Dell, together with our partners, is continuing to work to harness the power of technology and achieve our shared vision of a sustainable future. To reach this goal, we must strengthen our capabilities to measure our progress, ensure accountability and further invest in collaboration.

While no one person or company can solve climate change and tackle e-waste, we understand the deep impact that technological

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