Venture capital investment into Irish tech firms in the second quarter this year hit a record €392m, up 7.6% on the same period in 2020 which was itself unprecedented, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association VenturePulse survey published today in association with William Fry. The survey also reports a record half year to €641m, up 8% from €593m in 2020.
“A feature of the results is that international funding, mostly from the US, rose to 70% of the total in the first half, up 55% on the same period last year,” commented Nicola McClafferty, chairperson, Irish Venture Capital Association. “This is a strong endorsement of the high quality of Irish tech companies and reflects a global interest in them.”
She added, “The worry is that international investment is cyclical and when the tide goes out we will be unable to replicate these funds. We should be looking now to increase the supply of funding from domestic non-traditional VC investors such as pension funds, private investors and corporates as is happening across the UK and other European countries.”
She stressed that this can be achieved at no cost to the Exchequer and urged the Government as part of Budget 2022 to establish a working group to advise on how best to implement this.
Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, Irish Venture Capital Association, said that funding for the half year had increased across all deal sizes with the exception of those in the €5-€10m range which fell by 10% to €77.7m.
“In terms of the important start-up and early stage companies there was a fall of 47% in the value of deals in the €1m-€5m range in the second quarter to €21.6m and a 42% drop in the number of deals. We hope this was just a temporary blip as the half year performed well with an increase of 15% in the €1m-€5m range to €91.9m and a rise of 19% in the number of deals from 37 to 44.”
Deals below €1m, largely comprised of investment in earlier stage companies, rose by 22% in the first half to €26.2m. The number of deals rose by 16% to 64.
Reflecting a trend across Europe there were significant increases in larger investments in the second quarter. Deals over €30m were up 34% to €185m as a result of investments in life sciences diagnostics company, Let’s Get Checked which raised €123m, and fintech company, Wayflyer which raised €62m. Deals in the quarter over €10m also increased, by 4% to €116m.
Life science companies at 43% were the top fund raisers in the first half of 2021 followed by Software (20%); Fintech (12%); ICT (6%) and Deep tech, or companies founded on a scientific discovery, (4%).
An initiative to develop female entrepreneurship in Donegal is now open for applications. Following the success of the programme last year, Local Enterprise Office Donegal has launched Ambition for 2021. Now in its second year, the programme is open to female founders and co-founders, entrepreneurs, or those with a strong start-up idea, who have links to Donegal. Earlier this week, last year’s cohort – and the first graduates of the programme – came together in person for the first time for a socially distanced photocall to launch Ambition.
“Ambition is designed to support women entrepreneurship in the county and enable more women to transform solid ideas into commercially viable start-ups” says Eve-Anne McCarron, Acting Assistant Head of Enterprise, Donegal. “Last year’s programme yielded great results; all eleven of the female entrepreneurs who graduated the 2020 programme are continuing to work on their businesses, and many of them have come on board as mentors to support the new participants selected for this year’s programme.”
Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise, Donegal, says the next generation of bright, ambitious female business leaders from Donegal offers hope for woman-led companies after Covid-19:
“While there are plenty of challenges in the current climate, 79% of our first cohort reported that the positives had outweighed the negatives – and that they are optimistic for the future. On the whole, participants met any pandemic related challenges with creativity and resilience; many of them actually viewed lockdown as a crucial time to plan. Working at a slower pace, they could reflect and rebalance their priorities, which led to better decision-making, with space to think and strategise. We now want to build on the success of last year’s programme and are looking for smart new business ideas from women who live in Donegal, want to re-locate to Donegal, or have family links or connections to the county.”
Local Enterprise Office Donegal appointed Helen Fullen of Alinea to coordinate the programme: “The Ambition programme provides women with a clear pathway to start a globally focused business” Helen said. “Last year, we worked with the first cohort of Ambition, and several months later, all eleven teams are still going strong – thanks to the strong women at their helm. They’re dreaming big, with projects designed to make a real impact on business, social and cultural landscapes. 60% have accessed Local Enterprise Office supports since completing the programme, and 54% are revenue generating and exporting internationally. Ambition gives candidates the opportunity to develop their business ideas with one-to-one mentoring, and provides invaluable access to entrepreneurial role models, to learn their tools and techniques. We’re looking forward to working with the next cohort of ambitious female founders in Donegal.”
The course will be delivered online, and similar to last year, it’s hoped that it will attract women from across the diaspora, helping them to develop the building blocks required for female entrepreneurs to succeed. For those interested in finding out more about the programme, the Ambition team will host an Open Evening on Wednesday, 8th September 2021 from 5.00pm – 6.00pm to introduce the programme, the team and share the experiences of previous participants.
To celebrate International Day of Charity (5th September), cross-border digital payments service, WorldRemit, recognises two non-profit organisations that are championing digital education worldwide to inspire others to use their skills for good.
Coderoots, a non-profit founded by Zaira Rasool, Software Engineer at WorldRemit, is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions to digital access and tech education for young talent in Africa. The charity was recently awarded £5,000 through WorldRemit’s Catherine Wines bursary, which was created in memory of the late co-founder of the fintech company.
Speaking on how she has used her skills in software engineering to create positive change globally, Zaira said: “Coderoots is made up of a diverse group of people with different roles and skill sets across tech, business and nonprofits, but we all share the same value and mission: to create opportunities and develop tech in the places that have least access to basic technology.
“Skills like coding are a powerful tool for social mobility. I myself was able to take advantage of this after being awarded a fully-funded place to attend my coding bootcamp, which would have otherwise been unaffordable. During COVID, we have seen how essential access to technology is for all aspects of life, and that those working in tech are the privileged few who hold the knowledge to create the change that is needed. It is therefore our responsibility to create that change.
“One thing we really champion at Coderoots is the value of mentors. We provide mentorship to young people and staff in The Gambia, offering them the chance to connect with someone who can help teach them valuable skills that they can use to create long-term change in their communities. All you need to do to be a mentor is have the time to dedicate each week, along with a passion for helping others to learn and grow, so it’s a really accessible way of using your tech skills for good. And for those who are really keen – you can visit The Gambia to support developing exciting new tech ideas we have brewing!”
With years’ of experience working within grassroots organisations, Zaira found a love for coding after attending workshops with codebar, a charity that runs coding workshops for under-represented communities.
Having started in London in 2013, codebar now has 28 chapters worldwide, including groups in Nairobi, Shanghai and across America.
Kimberley Cook, Director at codebar, shares how nonprofits and charities are driving positive changes in tech worldwide: “Several years ago ‘tech’ was just considered to be websites. Now it is everywhere you look – cars, hoovers, TVs – even fridges and washing machines.
“The technology industry is moving at such a fast pace, so the demand for developers is incredibly high. But, the barrier to entry is still hard to overcome. That’s why charities like codebar are allowing adults to access free programming workshops without having to commit to a degree or bootcamp, which are time consuming and costly.
“Everyone has a skill that a charity or non-profit could benefit from. Whether it’s designing, marketing, illustrating, copywriting or social media. I encourage everyone, regardless of age and profession, to find a cause or charity whose mission and work aligns with their interests, and get in touch. Start with a simple email outlining your skills and desired level of commitment and soon enough you’ll be on your way to making positive change in the world.”
It is back to school/college time again and time to check out new gadgets that are affordable for doing so, with tech being used more today in both school and college here is a few items that might tickle your fancy that are affordable and ideal for your needs.
The Groov-e Kidz Bluetooth headphones are suited for use with all devices, these headphones even include a built-in audio-sharing port so siblings/friends can enjoy watching/listening at the same time. Ideal for homework, remote learning or watching educational videos as well as group learning projects. The Kidz headphones offer up to 7.5 hours wireless playtime however the optional 3.5mm headphone jack means they can continue to be used for even longer. Available in blue or pink.
If getting them to go to sleep at night or get up in the morning is a hassle after the summer holidays, Groov-e Light Curve can help you get them back into a good sleep pattern.
The Light Curve is an alarm and radio with additional sunrise and sunset simulation functions and mood lighting options. The light, which mimics natural daylight, will come on at the selected time, starting off gently and gradually getting brighter until it’s at the optimum level to help rouse sleepy-heads up.
If they have trouble going to sleep, the sunset stimulation mimics the end of the daylight, helping them ease into a relaxing light as they head into slumber.
If they like to read in bed or don’t like to sleep in full darkness, the Light Curve has 10 levels of brightness using its LED lamp. One of the seven coloured mood lighting options can be selected.
Twelve South Compass Pro
Price: £54.99
Available from Amazon, Very
This sturdy, all-metal folding stand from Twelve South allows creative students to use iPad Pro in three different ways while on the move – ideal for college and university students.
Flipping down the secondary leg turns it into typing/sketching mode – ideal for sketching with Apple Pencil.
Using Compass Pro in portrait mode is ideal for students who use video for study and leisure.
Alternatively Compass Pro can be combined with a wireless keyboard desktop mode to use iPad Pro as a screen – perfect for use in classrooms, libraries, cafes and more.
Groov-e Apollo wireless charger, speaker and desk lamp
The Apollo lamp is a firm favourite for uni students and secondary school pupils, as not only does it serve as a desk lamp with three different light settings, it is also a wireless charging platform for smartphones. What’s more, it even has a built-in Bluetooth speaker so they can listen to their favourite tunes while studying/doing homework! Available in black or white.
Twelve South HoverBar Duo
Price: £79
Available from Amazon, Very
HoverBar desk setup
HoverBar Duo is an adjustable iPad and iPhone holder that allows you to position the devices in new ways. Ideal for students who are also streamers/vloggers, podcasters and influencers, the flexible arm has a clamp on the end so it can be attached to a number of different surfaces, allowing creators to position their gadgets at eye level height for recording.
HoverBar Duo is also ideal for teens and students to watch their favourite shows in their bedroom and for remote/online learning and lectures.
The adjustability of the HoverBar Duo also means that students could position their iPad right next to their iMac, external monitor or MacBook to serve as a second, or even third display. Even better, add a wireless keyboard and mouse to create a super comfortable mini desktop setup ideal for studying.
Evernote
Price: Basic (free), Premium (£4.99 per month), Business (£10.99 per month)
Available from: Apple App Store or Google Play
Evernote automatically saves notes online and makes them available on all devices so you can access them anywhere, anytime. Ideal for students who do a mix of online and in-person studying or like a change of scenery.
The document scanning function is also useful for copying from text books and the Search Handwriting feature identifies words in handwritten pieces.
Essential for students planning to study from cafes or anywhere with public WiFi; F-Secure FREEDOME is an intuitive online privacy and security VPN that lets you stay invisible to online trackers, protects data on public Wi-Fi and changes virtual location. FREEDOME now automatically activates when the app detects a user’s phone connecting to a public network.
In addition to typical VPN capabilities, FREEDOME supports browsing protection, anti-phishing, anti-tracking and Tracker Mapper, protecting users from harmful sites, trackers and apps that want to forward personal data without you knowing about it.
The Pocketalk S language translator is perfect for students who are taking their studies abroad. It can translate 82 languages bi-directionally at the touch of a button and has a text-to-translate camera which instantly recognises and translates text, the written word and signs – ideal if you need help reading menus or are trying to find your way around a new city. By utilising the best translation engines from around the world, Pocketalk S provides consistently accurate translation and creates the best experience by picking up localised dialects and slang. It also comes with a complementary 2-year mobile data plan that provides coverage in over 130 countries/regions so you don’t need to rely on Wi-Fi or Roaming data.
Telecom Lifestyle Fashion (TLF), the licensing specialist owned by STRAX AB, has partnered with the Italian fashion brand Diesel, to launch a brand-new set of wireless headphones and enter the highly competitive market
Called the Diesel True Wireless earbuds, the devices provide for a stylish, enhanced way of listening to music and taking phone calls on the go. With bold hues and premium sound quality, the partnership will launch in August 2021. Both black and red colour variations—all with silver logo details – will be available worldwide across multiple distribution channels, including diesel.com, Amazon, and recognised fashion, telecom and electronics retailers.
Diesel TWS have a total battery life and playback time of 32 hours (their case double-functions as a charging portal). LED lights indicate the remaining power supply. The multi-functional button on the earbuds allows for a seamless switch between music and answering and ending phone calls.
The case is compatible with wireless charging, and the earbuds function on Bluetooth 5.0. In order to optimise mobility, the earbuds are sweat and splash-resistant, and they are equipped with voice assist. As noted, the case and earbuds are finished with a silver-coloured metallic Diesel logo.
“Diesel is a globally recognised fashion brand with a distinct identity and a demographically diverse fanbase. We are excited to launch mobile tech accessories under the Diesel brand and we have no doubt we will see strong demand,” says Morsin Otmani, CEO & Co-Founder at Telecom Lifestyle Fashion.
Today Otter.ai announced the launch of Otter Assistant for Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex for Otter Business Plan users. After an initial one-time user permission, Otter Assistant automatically joins calendared meetings to record, take notes, and share transcripts with meeting participants so users can focus on collaborating and connecting in meetings knowing Otter is automatically transcribing it, or they can skip meetings altogether and catch up on notes afterward.
Otter.ai launched Otter Assistant for Zoom in May and now by expanding the frictionless experience of Otter Assistant to professionals also using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex users do not have to worry about what video platform they use, or if their meetings are transcribed and shared, or where their notes are stored—Otter Assistant has you covered with notes stored, accessible, and searchable all in one central place.
“With more companies adapting to a hybrid work model where professionals work and take meetings in-office, at home, and on mobile, many are looking to Otter as a tool to improve team communication and collaboration,” says Sam Liang, co-founder & CEO of Otter.ai. “We’re excited to make using Otter even easier and more accessible no matter where or how people conduct and participate in meetings.”
Otter Assistant is the AI note-taking tool that does not require a complicated setup process, seamlessly integrating with the user’s calendar so that it joins meetings on time even if you’re running late or can’t make the meeting. During the meeting, it will generate real-time, secure, shareable, and searchable notes and audio recordings with industry-leading accuracy. Users can highlight, add images, comments or questions, search by keywords or name, and review the transcript and audio during and after the meeting, empowering professionals to be more productive and engaged in meetings without the stress of trying to accurately capture and document information.
Users can access all of their notes, regardless of video conferencing platform, through Otter.ai’s web app or mobile apps on iOS and Android.
Otter Business starts as low as $20 per user per month and includes:
Otter Assistant to automatically join, record, and share meeting notes
Real-time annotation features to add highlights, comments, and images
Custom vocabulary for names, jargon, and acronyms within teams
Shared speaker identification across the Otter Business team
Creative Technology today announced the launch of the Creative Chat USB, a convenient USB-C on-ear headset that is fit for all-day audio enjoyment and works even better for conference calls. The latest headset comes with a built-in noise-cancelling boom mic and swivel-to-mute function along with SmartComms Kit’s auto-mute and two-way noise cancellation features that make online calls a breeze for users. From webinar presentations to conference calls, the Creative Chat USB offers quality audio and effective noise-cancelling capabilities that works to prioritize voice pickup over unwanted background noises, so users can truly focus on what matters most, the conversation.
With a simple plug-and-play setup, users can be ever-ready for any conference call with the Creative Chat USB.
Built with a pair of 40 mm Neodymium drivers, the Creative Chat USB has been intricately designed to deliver excellent audio performance that precedes its price by offering a much bigger audio bang for the buck. So, be it for work calls or entertainment, users can expect nothing but high-quality and crystal-clear audio playback all day.
The Creative Chat USB is also easy to set up with convenient compatibility across various popular conference apps such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Coupled with nifty smart features and improved call quality, the Creative Chat USB has all the makings of the perfect audio companion for any online calls.
Pricing and Availability
Creative Chat USB is attractively priced at £44.99, $49.99 in the US and €49.99 in Europe and is available at Creative.com.
Following the loosening of travel restrictions, airlines and tour operators have reported a surge in ticket sales. Although some people remain cautious due to the possibility of last minute changes to the traffic-light status, Eurostar has seen an increase in bookings to several European countries including France, Germany, Austria and Norway. EasyJet has also reported an increase in bookings to the Balearics and Canary Islands, Italy, Greece and Portugal since the government’s announcement.
Whether trying to make the most of the last few weeks of the summer holidays, fit in a short break, book a getaway for later this year or even 2022, or find the perfect Christmas gift for travel mad friends and family, here are eight helpful gadgets that will make that long awaited trip even more relaxing and enjoyable.
The Pocketalk S language translator is the perfect travel companion. It can translate 82 languages bi-directionally at the touch of a button and has a text-to-translate camera which instantly recognises and translates text, the written word and signs – ideal if you need help reading menus or are trying to find your way around a new city. By utilising the best translation engines from around the world, Pocketalk S provides consistently accurate translation and creates the best experience by picking up localised dialects and slang. It also comes with a complementary 2-year mobile data plan that provides coverage in over 130 countries/regions so you don’t need to rely on Wi-Fi.
For long car or plane journeys headphones for the tablet or phone are essential. These Bluetooth headphones provide a great listening experience without the kids getting caught up in the wires. Suitable for all Bluetooth-enabled audio/video devices including smartphone, tablet, laptop and portable DVD the Kidz offer up to 7.5 playtime plus an optional 3.5 mm headphone jack means they can continue to be used even when the battery dies. The comfortable fit means that kids will gladly wear them for them whilst they catch up on YouTube. Available in bold blue or vibrant pink.
Proving big sound comes in small packages the Wave II Bluetooth speaker means compromising on power for portability is a thing of the past. Ideal to take camping or to have for around the pool, the Wave II boasts a powerful spec in a compact size. The 6W speaker combined with an eight-hour playtime means the tunes will play all day. A handy carabiner clip means you can attach the Wave II to your tent, clothes, belt or bag knowing it will securely stay in place. There’s no need to panic if a spontaneous water fight breaks out as the Wave II is IPX4 water resistant or in simple terms: splash proof.
Keep your gadgets charged wherever your travels take you with this wireless charging power bank from Groov-e. You have the option of wireless charging or USB and USB Type-C output so most phones, tablets, e-readers and cameras are covered. The 8000 mAH capacity offers multiple device charges.
A must have if you’re flying somewhere, the AirFly Pro is a Bluetooth adaptor that allows AirPods or other wireless headphones to be used in situations where only wired headphone jacks are available i.e. with the inflight entertainment system. Having to use the uncomfortable wired headphones airlines provide is now a thing of the past as AirFly Pro will allow up-to two users to easily connect their wireless headphones via Bluetooth, to the media system.
This sturdy, all-metal folding stand from Twelve South allows you to use iPad Pro more creatively while on the move. Use it to dock iPad Pro on your tray table on planes and trains so you can comfortably enjoy TV shows, movies and games. Compact and lightweight, it folds away for easy transportation.
Simple yet incredibly practical, PlugBug Duo keeps USB-powered devices charged in more than 150 countries. It also adds two USB ports to a MacBook Power adapter so users can charge three devices at once. With PlugBug Duo, users can keep all their devices charged, wherever they may roam.
The BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite is a vintage inspired, one-of-a-kind case designed to protect Amazon’s latest e-reader. Enhancing the joy of reading, BookBook transforms the Kindle Paperwhite into what looks and feels like an elegant, leather-bound hardcover book. Made from hand-distressed, genuine leather which is different and unique on every BookBook, the case even features an integrated folding kickstand that props up the Kindle Paperwhite for hands-free reading on trains, planes or by the pool.
Dell has today announced three new additions to its monitor line: the Dell 14 Portable Monitor (C1422H) and the Dell 24 and 27 Video Conferencing Monitors (S2422HZ and S2722DZ).
Dell 14 Portable Monitor
Built to be the ultimate laptop companion, Dell’s first ever 14” portable monitor delivers dual-screen productivity to work, present and collaborate anywhere. For professionals working in the office, at home or on the go, users will appreciate the monitor’s lightweight design, weighing less than a pound and a half and less than a quarter-inch thick at its slimmest, making it extremely easy to travel with. Featuring FHD resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio with IPS technology, this monitor offers easy plug and play with USB-C connectivity. Simply press the quick access buttons to adjust brightness (up to 300 nits) and ComfortView feature that reduces harmful blue light emissions.
The sleek yet practical design complements all workstyles and productivity demands with a small continuous tilt stand that bends from 10 to 90 degrees. It also features Energy Star and EPEAT GOLD certification.
Dell 24 and 27 Video Conferencing Monitor
Hanging out virtually with friends, family and co-workers has never been easier with the new 27-inch QHD / 23.8-inch FHD monitors made for video calls. For an easy out-of-box experience, these monitors come with a built-in 5MP privacy pop-up camera, noise-cancelling microphones and dual 5W speakers. The pop-up camera stays hidden until users are ready for video chatting, plus you’ll enjoy amazing video clarity and crystal-clear sound.
These beautifully designed monitors feature Dell’s TÜV-certified ComfortView Plus – an always-on low blue light reduction technology that optimizes eye comfort while retaining color accuracy. Other features include the convenience of USB-C connectivity, AMD FreeSync technology and 75Hz refresh rate for leisure gaming.
Pricing and availability
The Dell 14 Portable Monitor will be available worldwide from August 31st, starting at €230 ex. VAT.
The Dell 24 Video Conferencing Monitor will be available worldwide from October 1st, 2021, with pricing to announced upon release.
The Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor will be available worldwide from October 1st, 2021, with pricing to announced upon release.
