Category: Startups

Irish tech start-up Promo Pads promises the end of the line for queueing for food. #PromoPads

The average Irish person loses over 19 hours each year queuing for food and drinks at lunchtime, 2017 market research carried out by Irish start-up Promo Pads has shown. The average time people spend queueing for coffee or food is 5min 46sec. In total, that is over 41 million hours that Irish people waste each year waiting for food or drink service. This is something we probably all prefer not to do but with the busy hectic lifestlyes we all have today its nearly unavoidable but things are changing with food outlets now providing apps to skip the queue which is welcome. 

The longest queueing time measured was 16min 18sec, when a premises had a lunchtime special offer. Numerous people were observed changing their mind and leaving the queue in frustration.

Start-up Promo Pads promises to give Irish people the 2.5 months of their life they would spend queuing for food and drinks back.

Diarmaid Murphy, CEO of Promo Pads said: “Three years ago I left a café in frustration because of a dozen people ahead of me waiting for service. That’s why we created Dine, so people can spend their time enjoying the social experience of a café, bar or restaurant, instead of spending their time just waiting to order”.

Promo Pads’ tabletop ordering system Dine® was designed to allow customers of coffee shops, restaurants and pubs to simply sit down, relax and order from the table. No more queuing, no more waiting for a server to take their order.

“We started the journey to create Dine so we could benefit the customers of bars and cafes, but we ended up developing a system which also has just as many benefits for owners and operators of premises”, Diarmaid Murphy added.

Promo Pads’ founder invested his own money with support from friends and family to build BETA units and prove the concept. The business now has a campaign on Kickstarter to generate public support to finish the system and save many more people from having to queue or wait for service.

 About Promo Pads

Promo Pads’ Dine System was created with the goal of never again having to queue, just to re-order coffee. Dine® is the only custom digital tabletop ordering system in Europe. Digital menus on tables in bars and cafes, so customers don’t waste time standing in a queue just to order. Even better, the menus provide discounts and promotions at the table, saving patrons money and giving them free product samples to make their  visit more enjoyable. The future of food & drink service convenience has arrived! 

Our promise:

·         No more standing in a queue just to order lunch, a coffee or beer

·         No more having to sit with a hand in the air just to get the attention of a server

Support them and their idea over on KICKSTARTER

 

DropToU is the “People Powered Delivery Network” #Transport #Courier #App

The courier industry today is a real cut throat industry and volume is a key player in a company’s survival then we also have specialist services which commits itself to specialist or high value goods and we also have cold-chain mainly in the pharma industry.

But getting a job done on time is another factor and often costly too and again distance comes into play if not going through an already established firm which there is plenty to choose from today and with the increasing amount of e-commerce packages being delivered vs the typical high street delivery, companies with timed deliveries are under more pressure than ever and add in the seasonal sales which are about to arrive soon it mean more stress. FOR EVERYONE.

However their attack on other companies doesnt bode well nor is this SITUATION  or this SITUATION wholly true, the lanscape has changed in this buisness and using tweets like this with try get some attention is wrong. Many companies now have a leave safe policy once its agreed with the customer and a photo will be taken to show where the package has been left,this has been a common theme on their twitter and facebook feeds all eloquently placed in the same porch. Not wise to attack others we can easily identify who has the contracts from the pictures and we also know they have changed hands several times and in this industry will continue to do so.

DropToU is the “People Powered Delivery Network” is a new player to the already crowded market which could help solve some issues like B2B or B2C via people power. These are here to offer services when non are available or outside standard hours but we also now see an increase in companies offering Saturday Deliveries and this will soon change to a 7 Day a week industry due to high levels of eCommerce and also demands from suppliers.

Regular Package requests cost Senders €12.30 to send. Senders also have the option to nominate the amount they are willing to pay to get an ‘Urgent’ package delivered. This amount is between €30-€300. 

See how it works HERE and how you can get invovled to be either a sender or a courier.This could be a good idea going forward having been in the industry over 20 years a people powered network could very well be a good solution and people will pay good money to have urgent packages moved, Again its a competitive market and watching how this company grows will be interesting. Check out their website HERE and download the apps below.

 

Irish #StartUp aims to create 1,000 jobs for south-east region through remote working. #Jobs #Abodoo

An Irish start-up is aiming to create 1,000 jobs in the south-east region by encouraging employers to hire remote workers. Abodoo, the online portal for remote and flexible careers, announced this target today following an event for regional business-leaders in Gorey last night.

Abodoo is headquartered in Gorey, and has attracted support from open eir and the IDA.  It launched in Ireland last month, with plans to launch in the UK in the coming months and to expand globally next year.

Denis Naughten TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment delivered a guest address at Abodoo’s recent event at The Hatch Lab, Gorey via live video link from Dublin.

Commenting today, Vanessa Tierney, co-founder of Abodoo, said: “We have set the ambitious goal of getting one thousand people employed across the south-east region through the Abodoo platform. 

“We anticipate this will be a combination of skilled people who are currently unemployed but want to return to work, and people in employment who no longer want the exhausting commute to Dublin.

“We will achieve this goal by encouraging up to 100 companies to hire an average of 10 skilled remote workers each.  These will be people living in the south-east region, who can either work from home or from a co-working hub like the Hatch Lab in Gorey, where we are based ourselves. 

“We are working with our partners, open eir and the IDA, to identify suitable employers and demonstrate to them the benefits of hiring remote workers.”

Co-founder of Abodoo, Vanessa Tierney, pictured speaking at their recent event on remote working in The Hatch Lab, Gorey.

Cost Savings

Ms. Tierney said an increase in remote working would lead to significant cost-savings for government, employers and workers themselves.

“One of the biggest savings is in relation to transport, and this has knock-on benefits for the environment,” she said.  “Remote workers save, on average, between €2,000 and €7,000 and hundreds of hours of travel time per year – just by removing their daily commute.  One thousand new remote workers in the south-east would equate to a saving of 235 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

“The business case for remote working is also strong:  companies will save an average of €11,000 per remote employee, and 91 per cent of companies that facilitate remote working experience increased productivity.  Companies that promote remote working also report an increase in staff retention of over 50 per cent; and a reduction in absenteeism of 63 per cent.”

Pictured speaking at Abodoo’s recent event on remote working in The Hatch Lab, Gorey was Brendan Mc Donald, IDA Regional Manager, South-East Region.

Ms. Tierney said Abodoo is seeking expressions of interest now from employers interested in hiring skilled remote workers in the south-east region.  Employers and those seeking flexible careers can register at www.abodoo.com.

Edtech startup #magikbee makes YouTube educational and safe with new kiddZtube app

Magikbee, the Portugal-based edtech startup, has released kiddZtube, a video-quiz app that makes YouTube content educational and completely safe for preschoolers. The app offers a wide range of popular videos, all selected by a group of real-life teachers who, using the kiddZtube technology, add questions to each video that teach children spelling, colours, emotions, directions, and more – all by asking kids about what they are watching. It is available worldwide now on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and on Amazon for Android.

We are testing out the Android version at the moment and it seems pretty good and its safe,on starting up the app the parent will need to fill in some particulars and can check out some settings to get going. Ideal for kids not accidently strolling onto things they are better off not seeing.

See the full press release below…

The app was developed in response to both kids’ love for YouTube videos and parents’ concerns over the quality of time spent in front of a screen. As kids watch videos on kiddZtube, questions – which are asked aloud – appear and are answered with a row of four coloured stars combined with emojis, making the experience interactive and visually appealing to the youngest boys and girls.

Because all of the content is chosen and curated by teachers, kiddZtube is completely safe for kids to use. Parents can also track their child’s progress and set time limits on use of the app, giving them full control over its usage.

kiddZtube Lite is available for free with access to 20 videos with quizzes. Meanwhile, the full version of the kiddZtube app costs €5.99 and offers the full experience with more than 1,000 videos and 7,000 quizzes to view from your device. You can get in touch for a promo code that will give free access to the full version.

kiddZtube is easy to navigate and designed to appeal to children. As a child watches a video, for example about autumn apple picking, the quiz question appears: what colour are the apples? The options to respond appear inside four stars, coloured blue, yellow, red or green. To respond, a child just has to select the star with the correct answer. Kids will instantly know if the answer is correct or should try again. It’s a fun and engaging way to learn.

Hugo Filipe Ribeiro, magikbee Co-Founder & CEO, said: “We wanted to develop something positive, safe and at the same time engaging and fun for kids.”

Some parents may currently be familiar with YouTube Kids, where preschool content is freely available. The big difference is the ability of kiddZtube to transform screen time into an active learning experience. Moreover, YouTube Kids promotes passive screen time and sometimes very young children can get dragged to inappropriate contact that makes it past YouTube’s filters. That’s not possible with kiddZtube.

About magikbee

Headquartered in Braga, Portugal, magikbee is a member of the Portuguese Startup Braga Innovation Hub (Microsoft Ventures partner) and has the ambition to become an important player in the edtech market for preschoolers with the use of phygital toys and interactive apps. magikbee’s mission is to reimagine screen time by creating an ecosystem that promotes active fun & learning through a range of innovative technologies. This team of parents and university researchers are experts in interactive technology for education. Their numerous awards include honours at the global Advances in Computer Entertainment Conference (ACE) and top prize at the World Technology Awards in the Entertainment category. In 2016 they were one of the finalists of the Silicon Valley World Tech Cup Challenge, in the AR/VR category.

 

kiddZtube • €5.99 • Ages 2+

The newest product from magikbee, this is the world’s first video-quiz app for preschoolers.Try for free kiddZtube Lite with access to 20 starter videos. When ready, parents can download for €5.99 the kiddZtube full app that offers more than 1,000 videos and 7,000 quizzes.

Launched earlier this year is another magikbee edtech tool that utilises tablets and its own tech:

magik Play Starter Kit • €49.99 • Ages 2+

magik play is the world’s first iPad smart toy that merges traditional wooden building blocks, which connect to devices using advanced magnetic field technology, with educational games, in an engaging, physical and truly fun experience for preschoolers. Each kit includes 10 “smart” blocks, a wooden iPad stand and 3 games, adapted to different ages and that explore educational challenges. In each game, kids are asked to find solutions by assembling the physical wooden blocks. This iPad toy enhances a child’s motor skills, spatial reasoning, creativity and collaboration.

Visit www.magikbee.com for more information or follow on social channels at Twitter: magikbee_world, Instagram: magikbee_world and Facebook: magikbee

DOWNLOAD – App Store for iPhone and iPad and on Amazon for Android.

COMING SOON

kiddZtube Academy is a FREE educational resource designed to support preschool Educators in teaching core skills in a fun and engaging way.
The platform allows Teachers to create educational video-quizzes which teach spelling, counting, colours, directions and more by adding pop-up questions to existing YouTube videos.

Strike while the iron is hot with Funky Iron. #StartUp #Home #FunkyIron

The Funky Iron is an electric steam iron, with a catchy design that is supposed to make ironing fun again. Lets be honest lads we dont like ironing do we? Can this change your mindset…..
The founder Joe and Sadie Sillett want to address the bigger question: Can we revive this traditional houseman skill – can we possibly even make ironing sexy? Will the ‘funky‘ look motivate millennials to pick up the old-fashioned skill and learn how to iron themselves? And will husbands finally help out their wives? After all, ironing CAN be fun!

After its highly successful first round of funding in March 2017, The Funky Iron Company has launched its Round 2 Funding campaign on Europe’s leading crowdfunding platform Seedrs opening its doors to both new and existing investors. The Round 1 Funding overfunded to 138%.
For its Round 2 Funding, the company is seeking £150,000 and founders Sadie & Joe Sillett say…

“Our Eureka moment came when realising that, of all the main household goods in the market, the iron was a product crying out to be re-designed and the category challenged with style and colour,“ say the founders Joe & Sadie Sillett. “So far it has been a great journey, we are looking forward to welcoming new investors on board.”

The Funky Iron Company is planning to launch its debut range in February 2018 and is currently talking to both online and traditional retail partners. It will also sell direct to the public via its own website www.thefunkyironcompany.com

We check out @FiremoleLTD EVERY HOUSE needs this. #Irish #StartUp #Tech #Firemole

Firemole is a new Irish product that could potentially save your life and every house should have at least one of these and for the tech fan like myself could do with a few when there is multiple devices running all day.

Over the last few years we have seen that there is more and more fires in homes and in almost all cases its due to faulty or shit third part chargers that can be bought anywhere and to save a few quid many people just buy these because they are in your face everywhere these days and cost buttons compared to OEM or proprietary charging equipment which mostly we can thank Apple for. These cheap chargers in my eyes are a no go in my house and will always remain that way but I have a few samples here of cheap crap and you can see even by the build quality and you can factor in the cost which in turn leaves you at risk of a hazard at some stage. In short DONT BUY CHEAP SHIT!!!

ON LAPTOP CHARGER
SECURITY CAMERA UNIT
SHIT PLUG VS ORIGINAL
FIREMOLE INERTS
FIREMOLE INERTS

 

Firemole is an innovative little gadget that attaches to your plug or charge pack and monitors the temperature and once it hits 54 degrees the alarm will sound which in turn you then get off your ass and plug out the nominated device or devices and check things out. The alarm is loud enough and can be heard even if in another room so its not an issue nor does it required a standalone app to run either which is quite good,perhaps round two from firemole could indeed have this for if you are not at home and have things left on….

UNBOXNG,WALKTHROUGH AND PUTTING FIREMOLE TO THE TEST 

 

Firemole is a simple unit with just a battery to power it which lasts around 18 months and easily replaceable with a battery similar to what you find in a car alarm fob and the batteries are widely available. There is a test button up top and a rest button it can get any simpler really and anyone can use it with ease,get set up and just leave it there to do its job. I have tried and tested one and it just works,it’s a simple gadget that could someday save your life and those around you. Thats all there is too it check out their campaign below and get this into your home today for peace of mind.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT FIREMOLE

About Firemole.

Firemole is a young company that is developing a range of innovative fire safety devices that can protect people and their property. There has been huge growth in the electronic and electrical markets over the last number of years, but there has not been the proportional growth in safety devices to protect people from faulty, ageing or counterfeit equipment.

Firemole monitors the electronic and electrical equipment that people use every day. We are using unique, stylish, patent-pending designs so that Firemole is a product that people want to use.

Firemole is focusing on fire prevention over fire detection and our R&D team is working closely with research centres to reduce the number of injuries and fires worldwide which are caused by faulty electrical and electronic equipment.

Firemole aims to begin trading in August 2017 in Ireland and the UK with the intention of having international distributors in place by 2018.

 

Irish Tech #Startup Introduces First Ever Wearable Dash Payment Wristband #Bitcart #Festy 

Until now, there has never been a successful, wearable device that lets people use a digital currency to pay for anything at a merchant’s Point of Sale. Today, Irish tech company Bitcart are launching a prototype wristband, called Festy, that allows people to pay for drinks and food at bars, restaurants and social events, like festivals, using their Dash holdings. Powered by a QR code/NFC integration, Festy is being physically unveiled tomorrow at Opera Incubator in Cork, Ireland. 

It is the first wearable payment method of it’s kind that uses blockchain technology to make payments without a wallet, phone, or credit card. Because Dash boasts InstantSend technology, transactions are settled in seconds, and the fees for the merchant are much lower than any credit or card.

Creators of Bitcart, an Irish-based discount gift card platform, have today announced the launch of a landmark product called Festy, a QR code and NFC integrated wristband that allows festival and bar goers to pay for food and drinks using Dash, all without a wallet, a cell phone, or credit card. Festy is linked directly to a consumer’s Dash account, so funds are not stored on the Festy platform and transactions for goods occur within seconds, while the merchants have the ability to cash out their Dash for the equivalent fiat currency. Dash is the world’s leading digital currency for payments and currently the 6th most valued cryptocurrency at over $1.3 billion USD. Dash’s InstantSend technology allows the digital currency to make instant payments. In the next update, Dash will be able to process half a million transactions with extremely low fees, roughly ten cents per transaction. With no card numbers or private keys displayed while making purchases, Festy ensures maximum privacy, and users can top-up their wristbands at branded ATMs, or make simple transfers online.

CEO Graham de Barra said,

“Our partnership with Dash makes the perfect payment solution for everyday transactions. Unlike existing traditional bank payments that take a 2-5% fee, there is no cost on receiving Dash for merchants. Merchants accepting payments will never have a chargeback, and there are potentially enormous savings to be made compared to the crippling fees from existing payment solutions. We believe this is the payment processor of the future.”

Festivals are currently suffering from an extensive cash flow issue. Standard ATMs typically charge a high rate of $3-5 per withdrawal at festivals or abroad, and the middlemen supplying the machine require high compensation. On top of that, users can wait in line for up to two hours just to withdrawal their money at large festivals. These events also see a great amount of loss and theft, lacking a secure place to keep your wallet, further proving that cash is an insufficient means of transaction. Festy ensures that your money stays firmly clasped to you, helps create steady cash flows between the merchant and the consumer, and maintains a positive festival reputation.

VP of Business Development for Dash Daniel Diaz said.

“Festy’s multi-functional wristband is compatible with every Point-of-Sale system where Visa contactless is accepted, as well as on any mobile phone or computer with NFC tags and offline payments using QR codes. This versatility is adaptable to any environment including fields, beaches, camping sites as well as bars, restaurants and conferences. Festy is an affordable, scalable, and secure payment solution, particularly for millennials and Gen Z who don’t want to carry or worry about their wallet, handbag, cash or backpack at every moment during their social calendar,” Bitcart CEO Graham de Barra said.

The Festy prototype will be unveiled tomorrow at the high tech Opera incubator in Cork, Ireland. Each attendee will receive a pre-filled wristband and invitation. The wearable will allow everyone to buy food and drinks with a single scan of their wristband. Guests will also be able to tip the musician through Festy. When the prototype is ready for a full public rollout (at the end of Q3), it will be available to purchase on www.festypay.com.

For a list of festivals where Festy will be available in a prototype, please see the following link: http://entertainment.ie/festivals/

Irish Tech #StartUp DesignWizard is set to change how we create visual content.

Online visual content is booming. Every day there are over 1.8 billion images posted online and that figure is only going one direction.
Promotional images make up the vast majority of these visuals as brands vie for digital visibility. The pressure on marketers, business owners and entrepreneurs to produce high quality, original campaigns has never been as intense as it is right now.  Creating content is no longer an option – it is a necessity – but delivering high quality content on a regular basis without design expertise is a time consuming commitment.

 

 

DesignWizard is easy-to-use and affordable online graphic design software. It takes the time and effort out of creating visual content by supplying inspiring templates which can be instantly tailored to suit a brand’s needs. DesignWizard helps businesses to achieve their goals by inspiring them with impressive content. Users get more inspired, more innovative and more proficient the more they use it.
The steps are simple. Choose a template, customise the image to represent the brand, occasion or event, download and share. As confidence grows, this process can be done in a matter of minutes. At the end of it, users have an professional standard image, summing up everything they want to say.

 

 

DesignWizard has over 1 million visuals comprised of photographs, graphics, illustrations and fonts, all professionally produced and curated by their in-house teams of graphic designers, photographers and researchers.
There is a long list of design features available free to all users that includes free image storage, custom colour palettes, a favourites folders, easy resize for all templates and the ability to upload and store personal images. DesignWizard are committed to developing and releasing new features on a regular basis.

 

 

DesignWizard want to help other businesses grow and prosper which is why they protect brands from any copyright complications. All images have been signed off with either model releases, property releases, or both. There is a friendly in-app customer support are on hand to answer any queries and to guide users through the design process.
In the past few weeks DesignWizard have had some exciting integrations with Hubspot and Buffer and were also been featured on the front page of Product Hunt. They are also unveiling a newly designed website in July.
Try DesignWizard now and create 10 free images for free! Sign up for free at www.desginwizard.com and enter the promocode DW10COB.