Category: Tech News

The RDI Hub Goes Virtual for Future Members Nationwide

The RDI Hub (‘the Hub’), the world-class innovation centre located in Killorglin, Co Kerry, has announced the launch of a new RDI Virtual Hub RDI hub digital community which will see it expand its offerings to corporates, SMEs, and Start-Up entrepreneurs nationwide.

This innovative new virtual membership offering will build on the significant success of the RDI Hub to date, expanding its sector-agnostic offering to businesses across the country, and giving them access to mentorship, training and events, and advice on available funding supports.

The RDI Virtual Hub offers a curated resource library and one-to-one coaching sessions with a diverse panel of seasoned mentors. Notable mentors include:

  • Hugh Reynolds – Havok and Swrve Founder & ex-Apple’s Special Projects and Uber’s Advanced Technology Group.
  • Jamie Heaslip – Entrepreneur, Angel Investor & Ireland Strategic Growth Lead at Stripe
  • Rose O Sullivan – Strategic Finance Manager at Fexco specialising in commercial modelling, developing pricing strategies and helping startups navigate the complexities of financial management as they scale

Members will also unlock access to a range of exclusive events and growth sessions and find out more about key initiatives such as STEM Passport for inclusion (a programme to help young women from underserved communities find potential career paths in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)  DIBEST (Digital Innovation for Blue Enterprises & Social Tourism), the annual John McCarthy AI Summer School,  and NDRC startup programmes to further their growth ambitions.

This news comes fresh on the heels of the recent announcement that the RDI hub has partnered with Microsoft to deliver a series of AI masterclasses, which will teach members how to best leverage AI to optimise their business’s productivity.

The launch of the virtual hub is the latest in a series of enterprising initiatives offered by the RDI Hub – last June the Hub hosted a mortgage innovation challenge which offered €1 million in grants to stimulate innovation in the provision of mortgages in Ireland. In November last year, the Hub opened its in-house podcast facility which has since been expanded to include a full video recording studio and green screen facilities.

The RDI Hub’s 4th anniversary celebrates 70 new companies and 300 jobs created in the South West

RDI Hub membership has gone from strength to strength and is now home to over 70 companies, ranging from start-ups and SMEs to global companies such as Glencar Construction, Axiota, Interflow Logistics and Vertex. Since 2020, over 50 new products and services have originated from the Hub, enabling the creation of more than 300 jobs.

Success stories to date include Xavatar, which has just launched a first-of-its-kind metaverse-based TV show that will air to over 60 million homes in the US, and Graphite Note, an AI platform that simplifies the use of Machine Learning in analytics by helping business users to generate machine learning models without coding.

Commenting on the success of the RDI Hub to date, Liam Cronin, CEO said:

“Over the past four years, the RDI Hub has created a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurship and business growth in the Southwest. Our new RDI Virtual Hub will enable us to expand this innovative spirit worldwide, by bringing together a virtual community of mentors, entrepreneurs, and innovators to share their insights and experience on a much larger scale.”

“We have a diverse range of members, operating across a broad range of sectors including Fintech Smart Manufacturing, Aquatech, Greentech, Sustainability AI, Robotics, and the Metaverse, creating a rich pool of expertise that will benefit businesses hugely when it comes to optimising their operations,” Liam added.

A monthly subscription is available for 35 euro (ex VAT)  per month, with an annual subscription available for €350 (ex VAT).  We are currently in phase one whereby we are onboarding our members onto the portal and plan on making it available to the public in April.

“This marks a significant milestone for RDI Hub as it expands its footprint, providing invaluable support to upcoming companies and entrepreneurs,” said Neil Hosty, CEO, Fexco. By fostering an ecosystem that facilitates growth and scalability, we aim not only to transform Kerry but also to offer new members the chance to connect with like-minded individuals. Through shared experiences and knowledge, we empower innovation—whether in their current roles or as aspiring entrepreneurs.”

The RDI Hub is a not-for-profit Public Private Partnership with Fexco, Kerry County Council, and Munster Technological University and is a €21 million investment, transforming Kerry into a globally connected technology innovation hotspot. It’s one of the regional hubs for the National Digital Research Centre and receives support from the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund.

Esri’s technology helping the DURL Project to prevent 13M litres of polluted water from entering Dublin rivers

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), today announces that its digital mapping system is embedded in the Dublin Urban Rivers LIFE (DURL) Project’s methodology, which is preventing circa 13 million litres of polluted wastewater from entering Dublin rivers annually.

DURL is a joint venture between South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils, with funding received from the EU LIFE Programme. It aims to improve water quality by finding and removing misconnected household appliances that are expelling polluted water into rivers in two catchment areas – River Griffeen Catchment in the South Dublin County Council area, and Carrickmines Stream and Shanganagh River in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area.

Misconnections tend to occur when homes are renovated or extended, and new appliances are installed. Some washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, and toilets can be mistakenly connected to the rainwater or stormwater drainage pipe instead of the sewage pipe, resulting in polluted water being discharged into local rivers and streams. Using Esri’s ArcGIS system, DURL has assessed over 8,300 homes to date and found over 1,000 misconnected appliances. Householder repairs are helping to improve water quality and aquatic biodiversity in their local rivers with over 85% of the misconnections fixed to date.

DURL’s field-based teams use ArcGIS Field Maps to view maps of the surface water drainage network on their mobile devices. Using this app, they lift manholes in residential areas, record signs of pollution in stormwater drains, and upload their findings directly to a central dashboard.

Data is captured and shared in real-time and all locations of pollution are instantly visible to office-based staff. These teams can then identify the domestic properties that are associated with each polluted drain, using further geospatial analysis and satellite imagery. Appointments, which take 15 minutes, are scheduled with homeowners at ‘high probability’ properties and if a misconnection is discovered, next steps are recommended to remedy the issue.

Using this technology, DURL’s rate of identifying misconnections has doubled, leading to a cost reduction of 50% through the project’s work. The solution is saving time for county council employees, who can focus their efforts on locations that are likely to be causing pollution. The project team has also developed a “Lite” version of the ArcGIS solution that can be used by other urban councils across Ireland and Europe as the basis for their own water quality improvement processes.

Briana Shiels, Project GIS Officer, Dublin Urban Rivers LIFE, said: “The driver for the project is always the quality of the rivers. ArcGIS enables us to find as many houses as possible with misconnected appliances, as efficiently as possible, to help Dublin’s rivers reach a good standard of water quality. Project information is transparent to everyone working on the project, whether in the field or in the office.”

Lorraine Beirne, Project Co-ordinator, Dublin Urban Rivers LIFE, said: “On average, 8% of domestic properties in Dublin have a misconnection and the DURL Project has identified a misconnection rate of greater than 30% in some housing estates as we now have a better system to pinpoint these properties and take action far more efficiently. With ArcGIS, we have built a replicable, standard solution with products that most local authorities in Ireland know and use already.”

Dermot O’Kane, Head of Sales, Esri Ireland, said: “This project is making a huge difference to the water quality and aquatic biodiversity in our Dublin rivers, making it an incredibly important project to work on. This technology is an efficient, digital process for inspecting suspected pollution which is easy to use and resulting in both cost and time savings for these county councils. We designed this solution with the future in mind, and we’re excited to see the technology being used elsewhere to improve the water quality for more rivers and waterways across Ireland and Europe.”

First-time Filmmaker (78) part of the latest crop of filmmakers selected for the Dublin Smartphone Film Festival 2024

Now in its 7th year, The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival was formed with a simple ethos: expensive equipment shouldn’t be a barrier to creativity. Confusing, high-priced film equipment can often pose an additional hurdle for filmmakers starting out. They might have a story to tell but feel they can’t afford to tell it. The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival, a festival created for films shot on mobile phones, was designed to be the antithesis of this. We wanted to show filmmakers that it’s the story that’s paramount, and that a simple tool like your mobile phone is an accessible and powerful storytelling device.

This freedom for filmmakers is clearly reflected in the latest crop of officially selected films. Taking place on March 30th at the Pearce Street Theatre and the Irish Film Institute, the festival features an exciting mix of shorts. These include a sci-fi film from first-time director George Carter (78), a powerful documentary about women’s rights in Iran directed by Saba Ghasemi, and the premiere of the drama ‘Now & Then’ from multi-award-winning Independent Filmmaker Frank W Kelly. 

The festival organisers have meticulously curated an exceptional program, emphasising powerful original concepts and innovative utilisation of technology. In an exciting development, this year’s festival has partnered with the Irish Film Institute to host a filmmaking workshop. Here, participants get hands-on experience with mobile moviemaking in the historic Irish cinema landmark.

Festival Director Robert Fitzhugh commented: “We just could not believe the success of the festival in the past 6 years. We sell out each year before the doors even open. It has been an incredible period of creativity with people utilising the tools they have at their disposal to tell stories. There has never been a more interesting time to explore Smartphone filmmaking. This is what the Dublin Smartphone Film Festival is here to do; to encourage the next generation of filmmakers to create their stories using their phones and to provide them with the widest possible platform to present these stories to a wider audience”

The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival will take place on the 30th of March 2024 at The Pearse Centre and Irish Film Institute. 

Filmmaking Workshop:   

Short film Programme: https://bit.ly/49Ei8as 

YASHICA Launches Revolutionary Night Vision Device

YASHICA, an esteemed name in the world of photography with over 75 years of rich legacy, proudly announces the release of the YASHICA Vision: a revolutionary night vision that redefines low-light observation, combining advanced features and superior technology to bring the night to life in stunning 4K UHD full-color detail. 

YASHICA Night Vision comes to redefine nocturnal exploration with its high-tech night vision, featuring an impressive 5x digital and 3x optical zoom. It captures the night in full-color and IR modes, offering clear visibility from up to 600 meters away—an ideal companion for activities like hunting, camping, hiking, or observing wildlife in their natural habitat.“The application of night vision technology on camera aligns with the core value of YASHICA products – providing innovative tools and gadgets to empower users who enjoy photography no matter where or when they are,” says Kondo Hidenobu, the CEO of YASHICA. 

“Nighttime is scary because of the feeling of vulnerability in the unknown and unseen. Our latest product is the game-changer solution to break down the barriers of low-light conditions and deliver values to customers with improved images and videos with clarity and details.”

Boasting advanced 0.0037lux sensitivity, this night vision marvel ensures that even the faintest starlight brings your surroundings into sharp, full-color focus. With its intuitive design and powerful technology, YASHICA Vision pushes boundaries even further, allowing the observation of objects in pitch darkness, such as basements, from 20 to 50 meters away, using only the first level of the IR illuminator—no additional light source is required. 

Key Features include but are not limited to: 

  • Full-Color Night Vision 

YASHICA Vision introduces a full-color night vision mode, departing from the conventional green or monochrome spectrum. This feature enhances your ability to observe the night environment in a more natural and nuanced way, even in challenging lighting conditions. 

  • 4K UHD Image Quality 

Equipped with advanced optics and a superior CMOS sensor, YASHICA Vision offers high-resolution 4K UHD images. This feature allows users to reveal previously unnoticed details in low-light conditions, fostering a deeper connection with the surrounding environment. 

  • Up to 600m View Distance 

YASHICA Vision extends your observational reach with an exceptional view distance of up to 600 meters in complete darkness. This capability enables users to explore and appreciate the nocturnal world with enhanced clarity and detail. 

  • 3x Optical Zoom, 5x Digital Zoom 

Providing versatility in capturing distant subjects, YASHICA Vision features a 3x optical zoom and a 5x digital zoom. This functionality allows for precise framing and observation without compromising image quality, making it a valuable tool for various scenarios. 

  • Long Battery Life 

With a focus on prolonged usage, YASHICA Vision offers up to 16 hours of battery life. This extended duration empowers users to engage in extended nocturnal activities, be it wildlife observation, night exploration, or simply immersing oneself in the tranquility of the night.

 

Ultimate Clarity with F/1.0 Aperture 

The YASHICA Vision stands apart from other night visions with its wider F/1.0 aperture blade and 7-layer coated lenses. Engineered to capture every nuance of the environment, the Vision absorbs more light than any other model in its class, effortlessly illuminating even the darkest scenes. Not only does this mean more details, but it also translates to brighter, sharper visuals that truly bring the night to life. 

Built for Adventure, Crafted for Durability 

Tailored for outdoor enthusiasts, YASHICA Vision boasts a robust construction with IP65 water and dust resistance. The binocular night vision is not merely a device but a reliable companion for extended adventures. Equipped with a compass, SOS/guiding lights, and an expansive 512GB storage capacity, YASHICA Vision is ready to endure the elements and support users in their quest for exploration. This durability ensures that the vision performs seamlessly in challenging environments, providing peace of mind for those embracing the great outdoors. 

A Design Tailored for Convenience 

YASHICA Vision’s handheld structure and user-friendly interface are designed to enhance the spontaneity of adventures. The intuitive design ensures ease of use, allowing users to seize the moment without being hindered by complex controls. The binocular design aligns with the natural viewing experience of the human visual system, offering a comfortable and immersive way to engage with the surroundings. YASHICA Vision empowers users to explore with confidence, capturing the essence of the night in a way that feels intuitive and natural. 

SPECIFICATIONS

VIDEO RESOLUTION Up to 4K
IMAGE RESOLUTION Up to 58MP
FOCUS RANGE 50 cm to infinity
OBJECTIVE LENS 25mm
APERTURE F/1.0
IR ILLUMINATOR 850NM
IR LEVELS 3 levels

 

VIEWING RANGE 600m
DISPLAY 4-inch TFT ultra-high definition display
SCREEN RESOLUTION 400*960
EXTERNAL MEMORY Micro SD card supports up to 512GB
ZOOM 5x Digital zoom
SENSOR Galaxycore 1/2.9 CMOS
BATTERY 5000mANh built-in lithium battery
OPERATION TIME up to 16 operation time with IR off, up to 5 hours of operation time with IR on

 

What’s in the box: 

  • Night vision device 
  • Type-c charger 
  • Cleaning cloth 
  • Neck strap 
  • Storage box 

Availability 

YASHICA Night Vision is currently available for pre-order through Indiegogo, prices starting at $149, with shipping commencing in June 2024.

Links: 

Indiegogo campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/yashica-vision-night-vision-capture-night-in-4k–2#/

Jabra Spring Deals have dropped.

Jabra’s Spring deals have finally landed! If you are in need of some new earbuds see below for the latest deals on Jabra’s true wireless earbuds, including great discounts on the recently launched Jabra Elite 10 and Elite 8 Active.  

These deals are available from retailers including Argos, Very, Currys and John Lewis.

 

Jabra Elite 10 – Was £229.99, Now £179.99 

 

Jabra’s newest and most comfortable addition to its Elite range. These true wireless earbuds deliver crystal clear calls and are optimised for Dolby Atmos with Dolby Head Tracking for a truly immersive experience. 

See our review 

Deal runs from 20th March until 2nd April 

Jabra Elite 5 – Was £149.99, Now £74.99 

 

Find tranquillity amidst chaos with the Jabra Elite 5, featuring Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling that utilises microphones both inside and outside your ear to block out noise. 

Deal runs from 20th March until 26th March.  

See our review 

Jabra Elite 4 Active – Was £119.99, Now £59.99 

 

Water and sweat proof, ergonomic, and incredibly durable, Jabra Elite 4 Active are designed to stay comfortably in place whatever your activity. 

Deal runs from 20th March until 26th March. 

See our review

Jabra Elite 8 Active – Was £199.99, Now £149.99 

 

The Elite 8 Actives are the world’s toughest earbuds – tested to US military grade standards, these earbuds are waterproof, sweatproof, dustproof. Also powered by Dolby Audio, the buds deliver lifelike, clear sound for a longer and more comfortable listening experience. 

Deal runs from 27th March until 16th April.  

See our review 

 Jabra Elite 4 – Was £99.99, Now £49.99 

 

Following in the footsteps of the Elite 3, these affordable true wireless earbuds are a big step up from their predecessor, with added Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Multipoint connectivity and Fast Pairing (Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair). 

 Deal runs from 27th March until 16th April.

See our review

Prepping for European spring /summer travel? QDOS has you covered

If you’re travelling to Europe this summer, QDOS has you covered for all your power charging needs.

Whether you’re traveling alone, in a couple or with the kids, don’t waste precious packing space with multiple chargers that you could end up leaving or losing!

And if you’re doing a bit of work while you’re there, QDOS have got the perfect power combo.

PowerSnap with Stand

Price £39.99

Available: QDOS website

  • Compact, MagSafe compatible wireless charger with a convenient viewing stand.
  • Effortlessly charge devices safely and securely with perfect magnetic alignment, for fast wireless charging up to 15W.
  • Flick up the viewing stand function and enjoy the viewing angle for watching movies, FaceTiming friends or streaming videos.
  • Complete with an integrated 1m USB-C cable.

EU PowerCube 45W Trio

Price £69.99

Available: QDOS website

 

  • The ultimate Apple charging bundle with EU plug
  • Charge your iPhone x3 faster than any other power adaptor
  • Charge at 45W when using just 1 port or charge 2 devices simultaneously, with 1 port offering 20W and the other port offering 25W, for a higher speed charge.
  • Using Programmable Power Supply (PPS), providing the most optimum charge to connected devices, whilst GaN Technology improves energy efficiency, heat dissipation & provides compact housing.
  • The MFI Lightning to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C cables are high quality, reinforced cables and both 1.2m in length. Compatible with all USB-C or Lightning enabled devices.

 PowerLink Combi 8-in-1 USB-C hub

Price £59.99

Available: QDOS website

  • Connect your tech life in one place with this slim, easily transportable Powerlink Combi; charge, sync and display effortlessly with this elegant 8-in-1 multi-port USB-C hub.
  • Portable and lightweight, it charges at Max 100W with Power Delivery USB-C and sync at 10Gbps.
  •  Display in 4k with HDMI and connect your audio devices with the classic Audio Jack.
  • Transfer data with SD and Micro SD.
  • See our review HERE

 

Hit The Ground Hiking: Regatta Unveils Footwear Tech For Every Walker!

Regatta Great Outdoors, the nation’s leading hike and outdoor brand, today announces new technologies and the launch of its SS24 technical footwear range, a performance-led collection built for varying terrain and abilities ensuring everyone can enjoy the outdoors.

From supportive performance hikers to durable family walking boots, Regatta has unveiled a line of waterproof and breathable outdoor footwear for men, women, and children.  There is six core styles across the brand’s technology and performance led ‘Footwear Hierarchy’ – see illustration, with brand new editions to the Samaris range offering shock absorbing comfort and grip.

Each style has been carefully considered with the wearer in mind – from professionals to hobbyists, everyone will stay safe, dry, fresh, and comfortable.

A clear standout in the new range is the evolution of the brand’s best-selling Samaris hiker.

Introducing the all-new SAMARIS III, Regatta’s most premium walking boots to date are built for technical terrain and with performance in mind. With superior grip, both Samaris styles are built with performance tread that gives high-class traction control for braking on uneven terrain while their EVA shock absorbing midsole cushions every step.

Samaris III is available in men’s, women’s, and kids mid and low walking boots, from €160 adult / €115 kids. Samaris Pro II is available in men’s mid-boot styles from €150.

Alongside Samaris, VENDEAVOUR SUEDE and HOLCOMBE bring hardwearing and supportive comfort for trail walkers and those who love adventures off the beaten track. With die-hard weekend walkers in mind, these styles offer multi-purpose tread for reliable grip, stability, and long-wear comfort.  Vendeavour Suede is available in men’s, women’s, and kids mid and low walking boots from €120 adult / €90 kids. Holcombe styles are available in men’s, women’s, and kids mid and low walking boots, from £90 adult / £60 kids.

For leisure walkers and families, EDGEPOINT and VENDEAVOUR styles bring Regatta’s values of inclusivity, ensuring the outdoors is enjoyed by everyone, to life. Built for trusted comfort and everyday easy ground, these styles are waterproof and breathable and so much more than a boot for ‘fair-weather’ walkers. Hardwearing and with a secure grip, the Edgepoint and Vendeavour offer value with durability at their core. Edgepoint is available in men’s, women’s, and kids mid and low walking boots from £80 adult / £60 kids. Vendeavour is available in men’s, women’s, and kids mid and low walking boots from €130 adult / €105 kids.

To complete the most exciting season of footwear launches in its history, for SS24 Regatta has invested in TECFOAM technology across it’s footwear offering, to provide everyday comfort and extended wear for customers. Tecfoam insole cushioning offers a 70% increase in energy absorption as well as 25% reduction in compression adding greater comfort to every stride. Tecfoam also prolongs endurance by staying thicker for longer and with its recycled top mesh and PU foam, is kind to the environment as well as your feet.

Dyson launches new Supersonic Nural intelligent hair dryer

Yesterday at a global press event in Seoul, South Korea, James Dyson unveiled the Supersonic Nural™ hair dryer, its most intelligent hair dryer with new sensor technology.

“If you’re able to limit heat damage, you can get a healthier scalp; and healthier hair. Our new Supersonic NuralTM has a time of flight sensor which recognises your head and reduces the heat as it gets close to your hair, preventing heat damage to both your scalp and your hair. Innovation only comes from investing in research and development. Our obsession to truly understand the root of the problem continues, as we build up some of the most sophisticated hair laboratories in the world.”

  • James Dyson, Founder and Chief Engineer

Dyson’s latest styling tool comes equipped with a new Scalp protect mode which uses a network of Nural™ sensors, automatically reducing heat as it nears your head, helping protect your scalp from damage. These sensors also improve the styling experience, enhance hair shine, and prevent heat damage. New and improved attachments which cater to all hair types are equipped with attachment recognition, learning a user’s styling preferences, and simplifying their routine for fast healthy drying with no extreme heat.

 Nural™ sensors for added intelligence

Dyson’s new Nural™ sensors activate Scalp protect mode, Attachment learning and Pause detect – all which help to make styling easier.

 

  • Scalp protect mode protects scalp health: In this mode, heat is automatically reduced to 55°C, the optimum temperature for scalp comfort and drying speed, as the hair dryer gets closer to hair and scalp. A time of flight sensor enables this, by projecting an invisible infrared beam to measure the distance between the machine and your hair.
  • Capsule illumination changes colour to show heat setting: When in Scalp protect mode, this feature ensures that the LED light colour will automatically change between yellow (low heat) to orange (medium heat) and red (high heat), depending on the distance the machine is from the head.
  • Attachment learning remembers your styling preferences: This simplifies styling routines as it adapts to a user’s go-to styling mode, remembering their last-used heat and airflow settings for each styling attachment, and automatically applying them the next time it is in use.
  • Pause detect for easier routines: The Dyson Supersonic Nural™ hair dryer also has a motion-sensing accelerometer which automatically deactivates the heater, decreasing airflow and noise, when you are in between styling passes.

“From our research into the science of hair, we know that there is a connection between the quality of hair and a healthy scalp. The scalp tissue comprises different layers, with the outermost layer serving as a barrier against external stressors. But when your scalp is damaged, moisture loss can occur, a key factor in our development of the Scalp protect mode feature. This helps to maintain scalp moisture levels, and allows for gentle drying.”

  • Shawn Lim, Head of Research, Dyson

Introducing new attachments

A new Wave+Curl diffuser has been engineered for waves, curls and coils. This helps define and shape natural hair patterns across two modes. In Dome mode, the large dome shape of the attachment draws airflow away from the scalp for smoother, elongated waves with rounded ends. In Diffuse mode, the pronged insert delivers air deep into the roots for defined, voluminous curls and coils.

*Recommended settings are the same as the bare attachment.

**Not equipped with Scalp Protect Mode.

Design and technology

Complementing the new embedded sensors is a differentiated visual appeal: a clear end cap to show the technology within, and bold new colour palettes – Ceramic Patina and Topaz or the Vinca Blue and Topaz.

The Supersonic Nural™ hair dryer will be available in 2024 in United Kingdom and Ireland from, priced at £399.99 and €449.99. It will come with five attachments[2] in box and other standalone accessories will be on offer. Timings will vary for other geographies. To buy, learn more and experience the Supersonic Nural™ hair dryer, visit Dyson Demo Store (Oxford Street, Bluewater, and Trafford Centre).

For more information, visit dyson.co.uk and dyson.ie.

Available soon at Dyson.co.uk and Dyson.ie and Dyson Demo Stores in the UK and Ireland from £399.99 and €449.99

EA SPORTS FC ANNOUNCE NEW SPONSORSHIP OF UEFA’S WOMEN IN FOOTBALL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Today, in celebration of Women’s History Month, EA SPORTS FC announced a new sponsorship deal with long-standing partners UEFA, to become title partners of their Women In Football Leadership Programme (WFLP).

Now in its tenth year, the WFLP is an annual week-long programme, supported by the IMD Business School, aimed at advancing the careers of women capable of influencing the football industry, both today and in the future. The programme has been running since 2014, benefitting over 240 women so far.

This year’s programme, in partnership with EA SPORTS FC, will take place in August at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, supporting over 30 women from across the football industry, with candidates selected based on their future potential in the world of football. Involving key-note speeches from existing leaders in the industry, a variety of group training sessions, as well as one-on-one-coaching, the WFLP is designed to improve leadership skills, encourage networking and build self-confidence in order for the participants to achieve their full potential.

Andrea Hopelain, GM & SVP of Publishing at EA SPORTS says: “Women’s History Month is all about celebrating the achievements of women and what better way for us to do this than partner with UEFA to support this fantastic programme. In line with this year’s Women’s History Month theme of inspiring inclusion, we’re really proud to be paving the path for women within our organization and the wider industry to become leaders in the world of football.”

Thomas Junod, Head of the UEFA Academy adds: “We are thrilled to welcome EA SPORTS FC as the new presenting partner for our well-established UEFA Women in Football Leadership Programme. This unparalleled initiative champions the advancement of women poised to shape the future of football, offering a dynamic platform for exchange, networking, and empowerment. The inclusion of participants from EA SPORTS will inject fresh, innovative ideas and perspectives into our conversations.”

This programme sponsorship builds on multiple commitments from EA SPORTS FC to champion women in football, following on from the EA SPORTS Women’s Football Summit in 2022, at which a number of initiatives were announced, as well as this year’s addition of women into Ultimate Team™ in EA SPORTS FC 24.

Further details on this year’s programme will be announced via our EA SPORTS LinkedIn channel and on the UEFA Academy website.