Tag: summit

Eirmersive Launches PRISM Immersive Technology Summit

Eirmersive, a leading voice in Ireland for the immersive technology sector, has announced that PRISM Immersive Technology Summit, will take place on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).

This groundbreaking all-island event will bring together up to 150 innovators, business leaders, and researchers to explore how the convergence of Extended Reality (XR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Twins is delivering competitive advantage across Construction, Manufacturing, Health Tech, Energy, and other critical sectors.

Driven by Eirmersive’s commitment to collaboration and inclusivity, the PRISM Summit is designed to innovate while cultivating partnerships that deliver real-world impact. The programme will feature keynote presentations, live demonstrations, panel discussions, and strategic networking opportunities. 

Camille Donegan, CEO of Eirmersive, said:

“Immersive technologies offer transformative potential for industry, but adoption requires trusted guidance, community, and clarity around real-world use cases. That’s exactly what PRISM delivers. If you’re an innovator or researcher looking to explore how XR, AI, and digital twins can create real value, this summit is for you.”

Aidan Browne, Head of Innovation & Business Development at Dundalk Institute of Technology, added:

“Dundalk Institute of Technology is delighted to partner with Eirmersive to host PRISM, connecting industry leaders, researchers, and forward-thinking innovators. Through this collaboration, we are excited to showcase cutting-edge solutions to our students and the wider business community, demonstrating how immersive technology can address real industry challenges, unlock skilled talent, and drive greater efficiency.”

Attendees will experience a full day of programming built around ROI-driven case studies and high-impact demonstrations. The programme includes keynote presentations from thought leaders and pioneers at the forefront of immersive technology, alongside interactive demonstration booths offering hands-on access to cutting-edge tools and solutions from Eirmersive members. Delegates will participate in sector-specific deep dives addressing challenges and opportunities in key industries, whilst engaging in strategic networking with SME leaders, enterprise innovators, technology developers, researchers, educators, policy leaders, and innovation support agencies.

Confirmed speakers include Brian Cooney, CEO of KUKA Robotics Ireland, who will present on “How digital twin, XR and AI shorten lead-time, ensure safety and reduce the cost of automation for manufacturing,” and Timmy Ghiurău Innovation Leader at Volvo Cars. 

The summit has already received robust support across Ireland and Northern Ireland, with partners  including Dundalk Institute of Technology, Queen’s University Belfast, Digital Catapult, InterTradeIreland, Louth County Council and its Local Enterprise Office, Oriel Hub, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, and Creative Ireland.

Registration: Available on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/prism-clarity-in-the-age-of-convergence-tickets-1533671686299

American Investors Set For Dublin TechFoundHer Summit

International investor and star of the critically acclaimed Show Her The Money documentary Wendy Ryan is set to take to the stage at the forthcoming TechFoundHer Summit 2025 in Dublin next month.

Wendy, CEO of Kadabra based in Silicon Valley, will join fellow US investor Lata Shetty for an exclusive panel discussion that will include leading voices from Ireland and beyond including innovators such as Kelly Vero, Lesley Sackey, Dr Patricia Scanlon, Barbara McCarthy, and Áine Kerr.

The summit, which returns to the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin on Tuesday May 14, will host the second Dublin screening of the film, followed by an exclusive panel discussion featuring Ryan and a line-up of high-profile investors and innovation leaders.

Wendy Ryan, a powerhouse investor is committed to using her generational wealth to invest and support early-stage companies led by women, while Lata is a globally recognised tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist who is an inaugural investor and on advisory board of Silicon Valley Women’s Founder Funds. They will be joined on the panel by Mary Rodgers of PorterShed, Suzanne Mills, and Eshna Gogia from Republic of Work, who each play a significant role in championing startups in Ireland.

TechFoundHer founder Máirín Murray, who will host the event and panel, said it is expected to be a “powerful global gathering that’s flipping the script on who gets to lead in tech.”

She added: “This isn’t just another tech event, it’s a high-energy, purpose-driven gathering for women building and scaling tech solutions to solve real-world problems.

“This year, the message is clear – the future of tech must be diverse, daring, and include women.

“This summit is about unleashing vision and imagination.

“It’s for women who want to tackle real-world problems with powerful tech tools – and have some fun doing it.”

Catherine Gray is the producer and driving force behind the Show Her the Money movie which is directed by Ky Dickens. The movie explores the significant underrepresentation of women in venture capital funding, with women receiving less than 2% globally.

The film follows the journey of four women founders as they overcome systemic barriers in their pursuit of venture capital, highlighting the critical role of women investors who support them. It also shines a light on businesses that challenge conventional norms, from inclusive fashion to Ayurveda-inspired beauty, illustrating how access to funding can drive meaningful change.

Wendy, an executive producer of the Show Me The Money film, which also premiered in Belfast at The MAC this time last year, said: “If I write a woman a $10,000 cheque she is going to go much further with it than a similarly situated male would – returns are actually better when you invest in women.”

As the author of Learn Lead Lift, Wendy focuses on empowering women and BIPOC entrepreneurs through her investments and advisory roles.

Speaking of the film Máirín explained: “Show Her The Money is more than a documentary – it’s a catalyst for change.

“We’re bringing it back to Dublin because the conversation is far from over. If we want a future where innovation is truly inclusive, we need to see, hear, and fund women entrepreneurs. This film opens eyes – and doors.”

The screening is part of the TechFoundHer Summit 2025, which will also feature keynote speakers such as Kelly Vero, known for her work on Tomb Raider and Halo 3.

The event will also explore a range of themes including diversity in tech, startup growth, funding pathways, and real-world product innovation strategies. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with graduates of TechFoundHer’s Innovation Labs, a programme aimed at making tech accessible, impactful, and inclusive.

This year’s summit is supported by Dublin City Council as Headline Sponsor with U.S. Bank Europe and Enterprise Ireland acting as Network Sponsors. Additional support comes from WITS (Women in Technology & Science Ireland), BlockW and Nigma MVP Development Specialists as Catalyst Sponsors.

TechFoundHer’s Innovation Labs Programme has been funded through InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme with KPMG Ireland also supporting.

Tickets for the TechFoundHer Summit 2025 are now available, for more information go to www.techfoundher.com

Version 1 to invest in UK with 1,000 AI experts

Version 1, a leader in AI and digital transformation, today revealed it plans to invest £40m in the UK over the next few years through increased presence across its technology hubs. The addition of approximately 1,000 roles was welcomed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Michael Martin at a round table event with other industry leaders that formed part of the annual UK-Ireland summit, announced in September last year. The summit takes forward cooperation in four key areas to drive economic growth between the two countries, with the focus of today’s round table firmly on climate, energy, technology and innovation.

With discussions centred around the breadth and depth of shared values and interests between the UK and Ireland, Version 1 revealed that most of the new roles to be added over the coming years will be AI-related and located for proximity to its UK clients, situated across its London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast locations. The company continues to deliver for many public sector organisations in the UK and Ireland on successful, large-scale transformation and AI projects that have significantly improved services for citizens and civil servants alike.

By further embedding rich technology expertise locally, leveraging partnerships and providing the upskilling and training required, (particularly around the fast-paced evolution of AI and responsible technology in regulated industries), Version 1 commits to support that will keep both economies at the forefront of innovation.

Paul Johnston, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ireland commented; “it is a pleasure to see Version 1 among great business leaders at the UK-Ireland summit today. Their continued investment in our economy is a welcome and important commitment which makes a significant contribution to the Government’s growth mission.”

“We are privileged to be part of the exciting discussions today, as the largest indigenous Irish technology and AI services company with a major presence in the UK. It is very rewarding to hear how both leaders are working hard to strengthen connections and deliver on shared ambitions for greater opportunity, societal advancement and economic prosperity,” said Brad Mallard, Chief Technology Officer at Version 1. “We have a global presence but it’s our mission to deliver value for our customers from the best locations most suited to their needs, and this means investing locally and globally in the right skills and talent. As leaders in people-centric innovation powered by technology, we want the maximum benefit for our customers and the environments we work in.

With UK Government initiatives such as the AI Opportunities Action Plan and the new AI playbook, which are designed to boost economic value and drive productivity and efficiency across Government, we can align on shared objectives that ultimately deliver these benefits but keep the knowledge and skill sets in the right place too for sustainable growth.”

Deirdre McPartlin, Regional Director UK & Nordics at Enterprise Ireland, a long-term partner of Version 1 commented; “Version 1 is a valued client of Enterprise Ireland. Their journey of 28 years has helped establish Ireland as a strong contender for tech innovation and expertise.

We are delighted to see how they continue to grow globally and underscored their commitment to the UK even further with today’s news, joining also the important discussions that have taken place today between the UK and Ireland leaders. We will continue to fully support their ambitious plans which strengthen the business and contributes to the success of both our economies.”

Global Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit returns to Amsterdam this September

The Global Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit (GCB&MPS) is set to make a return to Amsterdam on the 17th and 18th of September.

The 2024 edition of this prestigious event will see Informa Tech and the Mobile Ecosystem Forum joining forces to deliver the world’s largest gathering dedicated to Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) and Mobile Payments.

A hub for global knowledge exchange

This summit will attract representatives from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) across the UK, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. With the focus on sharing knowledge and showcasing regional successes, the event aims to tackle the challenges surrounding DCB and Mobile Payments across more than twenty diverse markets. Payment service providers will be on hand to offer invaluable localized insights, while top-tier merchants will present exciting new products ranging from AR/VR gaming to streaming and education services.

Understanding Direct Carrier Billing

Direct Carrier Billing allows consumers to make purchases by charging payments directly to their mobile phone bill. This method simplifies the transaction process, eliminating the need for credit cards or bank accounts, and offering a seamless and secure way to pay for digital content and services.

DCB is particularly valuable in regions where traditional banking services are less accessible, providing a convenient and inclusive payment solution. Stakeholders from both mature and developing markets will meet at the event to share experiences and learnings, fostering a greater global understanding of this payment mechanic.

Expanding subscription-based content offerings and other DCB use-cases

The summit will also explore the burgeoning market for subscription-based content offerings. As consumer demand for continuous and on-demand access to digital services grows, businesses are increasingly adopting subscription models. These models are facilitated by DCB, enabling easy and recurrent payments for a variety of services, including video streaming, music platforms, and digital news subscriptions. This trend is not only transforming how content is consumed but also driving innovation and competition among service providers. At the same time, DCB is increasingly used for quasi-digital products and offerings, most notably in the ticketing- and mobility sectors.

The rise of Mobile Money

In addition to DCB, the event will delve into the expanding realm of mobile money. Mobile money services allow users to store, send, and receive money using their mobile phones, bypassing the need for traditional banking infrastructure. This service has been revolutionary, particularly in developing countries, where it provides financial inclusion to millions of unbanked individuals. Mobile money enhances economic participation enabling businesses to reach a broader customer base.

“By offering the seamless payment mechanic of DCB, alongside the tried-and-trusted mobile money brand offering at checkout, merchants give consumers the choice of payment method they prefer, backed by their telco.” says Anzelle Robertson, Program Director for DCB, Content & Advertising at MEF.

A comprehensive agenda

The agenda for GCB&MPS 2024 is comprehensive, covering crucial topics such as payment and cyber security, regulatory landscapes, digital marketing strategies, and sustainable development practices. These discussions are designed to equip MNOs with the insights and tools necessary to establish, grow, or showcase their Carrier Billing and Payments offerings effectively.

A must-attend event

GCB&MPS is the essential meeting place for Mobile Network Operators and other industry stakeholders looking to stay at the forefront of the evolving mobile payments landscape. The summit offers a unique opportunity to network with industry leaders, learn from experts, and discover the latest advancements in DCB and mobile payment technologies.

Dario Betti, CEO at the Mobile Ecosystem Forum says: “​​Partnerships are important in the ecosystem, so I am glad to take a moment to highlight this very important one: our collaboration with Informa Tech means the industry benefits from their expertise in events and logistics production and MEF’s thought leadership and network in the greater Telco- and Payments landscape.”

For more information about the Global Carrier Billing & Mobile Payments Summit see: https://mobileecosystemforum.com/global-carrier-billing-and-mobile-payments-2024/

Downloadable pdf here: Global Carrier Billing Mobile Payments Summit 2024 09.pdf

Deepfakes and Hacktivism Take Centre Stage at Cyber Leader Summit in Belfast

Deepfakes have jumped from the pages of science fiction to become a legitimate business risk that could influence polls in the upcoming UK election . That was one of the messages from Deryck Mitchelson, Global CISO at Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider, when he spoke at the Cyber Leader Summit held in Belfast at the Titantic Belfast on the 14th of February. As these sophisticated manipulations proliferate, the integrity of democratic processes faces unprecedented challenges, highlighting the urgent need for robust defences against AI-driven disinformation campaigns.

The one-day event brought together over 110 delegates and experts from Check Point, Microsoft, GitHub and Women in Cyber Security, among others, to explore the biggest cyber threats facing organisations today. It is the first time the event has been held in Belfast, which is fast becoming a hub for major players in the technology space.

During his presentation, Deryck explored the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in relation to cybercrime and its influence on attack methods. He discussed how it has evolved to become a serious instrument in a cybercriminal’s arsenal when executing phishing, ransomware or hacktivism campaigns. “AI is not a new notion; we have been using it as the brain behind our threat intelligence for many years, “said Deryck. “However, the technology has changed so rapidly over the last twelve months and new versions such as Generative AI (GenAI) have made it more attainable for cybercriminals. While these skills were once reserved for technically minded hackers, anyone with access to the internet and free online tools can now generate alarmingly realistic phishing emails with a few good prompts.”

Deryck went on to share examples of how deepfakes, including voice clones, have had an impact on businesses and could potentially influence major events such as the general elections later this year. There have been several incidents recently, including a worker in Hong Kong who paid out £20 million to a fraudster impersonating a CFO during a conference call. However, he was also clear that defenders are using AI to fight fire with fire. He added: “Deepfakes used to be the work of science fiction, but they are now a legitimate risk for businesses and their bank balances. They could also be used to influence public opinion during the upcoming elections.

“It is important that we don’t underestimate the potential impact this technology could have on organisations of all sizes. The good news is that companies like Check Point are leveraging the power of AI and Deep Learning to predict and prevent attacks from happening.”

In the morning, delegates also heard from other industry experts such as Lotem Finkelstein, Director of Threat Intelligence at Check Point. He provided insights into the world of hybrid cyberwarfare, demystifying the role of cybercrime during time of conflict. Other sessions included talks from Lesley Kipling, Chief Advisor at Microsoft on the importance of zero trust and Martin Woodward, VP of Developer Relations at GitHub regarding vulnerability fixes in open source.

The afternoon featured more presentations with Jennifer Cox, Director at Women in Cyber Security advocating for diversity in the industry, before the day finished on a panel discussion where experts covered a range of topics, including bringing new talent into the industry. This was a sentiment shared by Seamus McCorry, Check Point’s country manager, in his closing remarks. He was keen to emphasise the potential for Northern Ireland to become a cybersecurity powerhouse.

Seamus said: “We have a great pool of talent coming through our universities and it is important that we engage and encourage this new generation to live and work in this vibrant city. The cybersecurity industry is a thriving business, and together we can build a resilient future.”

ITU’s AI for Good Global Summit 2024 puts tech to the test for people and planet

Global leaders and innovators in artificial intelligence (AI) will join the humanitarian community at the AI for Good Global Summit 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland on 30-31 May to explore how new technology can drive sustainable development.

This year’s edition of the AI for Good summit event will showcase innovations in generative AI, robotics and brain-machine interfaces that can accelerate progress in areas such as climate action, accessibility, health and disaster response.

Summit speakers, including some of the world’s foremost AI luminaries, will explore the latest breakthroughs in AI and examine actions to ensure that AI works to humanity’s benefit.

“ITU’s annual AI for Good Global Summit brings together a diverse set of voices to look at the latest AI developments and find ways to ensure this technology remains a force for good, driving inclusive growth and sustainable and equitable progress for all,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “This summit and our year-round AI for Good platform are powerful tools for accelerating progress in our race to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”

On 29 May, discussions dedicated to AI governance will explore the surge in global efforts to craft AI policy, regulation, and governance frameworks. AI Governance Day – bringing together representatives of governments, companies, academia, civil society, and UN agencies – aims to forge pathways to transform dialogue around AI governance into impactful action.

The UN platform for AI powered by ITU

AI for Good identifies practical applications of AI to accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals and connects AI innovators with public and private-sector decision-makers to help scale up AI solutions globally.

ITU, the UN specialized agency for information and communication technologies, organizes the yearly AI for Good Global Summit together with 40 partner UN agencies. The event is co-convened by the Government of Switzerland. 

AI for Good discussions foster international cooperation and innovation to create equitable access to new technologies. The discussions support ITU in spurring timely policy exchanges, developing best practices and technical standards, and catalysing partnerships for AI solutions to contribute to sustainable development.

Thought leaders and thought-controlled machines

In addition to talks by AI thought leaders, this year’s summit will host machine learning masterclasses, curated by experts for experts, covering topics from deepfakes and climate change to brain-machine interfaces, AI for public services, explainable AI, and machine learning in communication networks.

Start-ups, young people and creatives will demonstrate their ideas at the AI for Good Innovation Factory Grand Finale, Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, and Canvas of the Future art contest.

The summit’s exhibition space will feature an array of cutting-edge demos, including AI for accessibility, collective drone swarms, bio-inspired rescue robots, a RoboCup robot football tournament, performance-boosting exoskeletons and AI-inspired art.

Exhibition highlights will include demos of brain-machine interfaces – an AI advancement that promises to open new frontiers for neurotechnology. A press conference on brain-machine interfaces will highlight new technologies enabling mind-controlled movement and communication for persons with disabilities, offering insights on how progress in the field could impact the future of human performance, mental health and wellbeing.

The 2024 edition of the summit comes in conjunction with the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event. The World Summit on Information Society event brings together the world’s digital development community to discuss concrete actions to advance sustainable development.

The AI for Good Global Summit will take place at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG).

Registration for media accreditation for reporters wishing to cover the AI for Good Global Summit is open. Registration for the public is also open and is free of charge. Registrants can attend either in person or online to connect with an expected 2,500 participants in Geneva and over 25,000 professionals worldwide who are part of the AI for Good Neural Network. Capacity is limited and early registration is encouraged.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Doreen Bogdan-Martin – ITU Secretary-General
  • Geoffrey Hinton – Advisor for the Learning in Machines & Brains, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (presenting remotely)
  • Sam Altman – CEO, OpenAI (presenting remotely)
  • HRH Princess Beatrice – United Kingdom
  • Abeba Birhane – Senior Fellow in Trustworthy AI, Mozilla Foundation, Time 100 AI
  • Stuart Russell – Professor of Computer Science at University of California, Berkeley, and author of “Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control”
  • Daron Acemoglu – Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and New York Times bestselling author of “Why Nations Fail: Power, Prosperity, and Poverty”
  • Gary Marcus – Scientist, best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur, New York University
  • Nicolas Thompson – CEO, The Atlantic
  • Fatmah Baothman – CEO, Alothaim Investment AI and R&D Company
  • Vincent Vanhoucke – Senior Director of Robotics, Google DeepMind
  • Mo Gawdat – Former Chief Business Officer at Google X, and best-selling author of “Scary Smart” and “Solve for Happy”

 

See all of the AI for Good Global Summit 2024 speakers here. 

Demos of robots, drones, and brain-machine interfaces include:

 

The AI for Good Global Summit 2024 is supported by Immersion4 (Diamond sponsor), DLA Piper (Diamond sponsor), AWS (Gold sponsor), Alibaba DAMO Academy (Gold sponsor), ZTE (Gold sponsor), and KUKA (Networking sponsor).

Menta exhibits at Chiplet Summit and presents its new scalable chiplet platform, MOSAICS-LP

Menta, a deeptech company specializing in semiconductor design will attend Chiplet Summit to present MOSAICS-LP – an industrial platform specifically designed for the development of heterogeneous chips, using a universal chassis and a catalog of third-party chiplets . This platform is supported by the French government and the CEA-List, a research center specializing in intelligent digital systems .

The Second Annual Chiplet Summit is a pivotal gathering for chip designers and market players, providing insights into optimizing chiplet performance in speed, scalability, power efficiency, and flexibility. The summit facilitates networking, expert interactions, and exposure to a wide array of products and services, enabling participants to stay abreast of the latest advancements in chiplet technology.

Menta, is has pioneer in programmable logic solutions and will share a booth with its partner CEA-List .

In the current semiconductor manufacturing environment , conventional monolithic solutions give rise to issues related to energy consumption, scalability, and cost. MOSAICS-LP aims to tackle these challenges, in the booming environment of increased production demands. MOSAI CS- LP addresses the Edge Computing market, including Artificial Intelligence, IoT, robotics, automotive industry and 5G/6G markets; by offering competitive, scalable, high-performance, and energy-efficient solutions.

Vincent Markus, CEO of Menta declares “ At the forefront of innovation, Menta, alongside our strategic research partner CEA-List, is proud to participate in the Second Annual Chiplet Summit, a crucial event for chip designers and market players in the United States . MOSAICS-LP redefines semiconductor solutions, addressing issues of energy and cost in traditional monolithic approaches. Our groundbreaking platform, centered on Edge Computing and embedded AI, features a unique architecture with a universal chassis and chiplets. Key advantages include scalability, energy efficiency, reduced development costs, and risk mitigation through pre-tested components , making MOSAICS-LP an innovative solution for the evolving semiconductor landscape .”

Dublin Tech Summit Partners with Pegasus to Host First Ever Irish Leg of the Startup World Cup

The Startup World Cup, the world’s largest startup pitch competition, will make its debut in Ireland, with the semi-final taking place at Dublin Tech Summit 2024. Powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the tournament consists of over 50 regional startup competitions across over 20 countries, providing an unmatched opportunity to access Ireland’s startup ecosystem and global tech companies.

The contendants will be judged at the event by a panel of venture capitalists, with the winner attending the grand final in Silicon Valley to compete against 50 other semi-finalists from across the globe for the $1,000,000 investment prize. The judging panel will consist of esteemed venture capitalist organisations, aimed at supporting startup growth. Featuring partners and directors from, VC Seraphim Space, Sure Valley Ventures, Techstars Sustainability Paris, Anamcara Capital, and The Launch Code.

“The Startup World Cup Grand Finale 2023 in San Francisco was more than just an event; it was a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Martin Tantow, Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures. “Each pitch brought something unique to the table, elevating the competition to new heights of excitement. To be able to bring such an arena to a highly receptive audience in Ireland, has been a long awaited affair for Pegasus Tech Ventures, and we are honoured to partner with Dublin Tech Summit to bring the first ever leg of the event to Ireland, given the nation’s esteemed tech prowess in Europe”

Dublin Tech Summit 2024 will also be expanding its Accelerate initiative. Accelerate provides an opportunity for Irish start up & scale-up brands to expand internationally and get noticed by technology movers and shakers, to maximise investment opportunities for the Irish startup scene. Dublin Tech Summit will exhibit all entries in its Accelerate hall for the duration of the summit.

“Dublin Tech Summit is thrilled to announce not only the expansion of our Accelerate programme to empower local innovators but its commitment to empowering those very talents on a global stage as host to the Startup World Cup. To be able to utilise our position as a seminal voice in the mainstream techworld to provide opportunities to the next generation of changemakers, is something Dublin Tech Summit and our Accelerate programme take great pride in. In a world of ever changing corporate tax receipts, nurturing our local and start-up economy is as vital now as it ever was”, said Tracey Carney, Managing Director, Dublin Tech Summit.

To compete on the pitch stage at the DTS24, startups must register online to participate in the Accelerate programme and founders must have formed a legal business entity. The startup can be at any stage of development, from pre-seed to scale-up, and each entrant will submit a 90-second video pitch. 50 startups will be selected from the video pitches to compete in knockout presentation rounds on day one of the summit, with finals on day 2 for those who advance in the competition.

“It is an unprecedented opportunity for Irish startups to get their idea in front of expert investors, and the chance to be in the global grand finale competition in Silicon Valley. Entrepreneurial dreamers are the life of the innovation economy. Providing Irish expertise to the world is a key feature of the Accelerate programme, one which has the potential to see significant dividends in the economy as wider society in dynamic times”, said DC Cahalane former GCMO for Dogpatch Labs, and now Venture Partner at Sure Valley Ventures, and DTS Accelerate stage MC.

Drone Summit shines light on Northern Ireland’s thriving cybersecurity industry

The UK and Ireland second Drone Summit has highlighted the great potential of drones in the economic growth of the UK and Ireland. 

The summit, organised and sponsored by ANGOKA, supported by the UK Royal Air Force, Invest Northern Ireland and KPMG, who hosted the summit at their Belfast offices, gathered industry leaders from across the UK and Ireland including senior representatives from the British Civil Aviation, the UK Research and Innovation (InnovateUK), AWS, Manna, Skyport, Spright, Avtrain and others discussing the rapid advances being made in the sector. 

The conference explored the economic benefits in the adoption of drone advancements, the role of rapid technology evolution in advancing drone capabilities and making its benefits a reality, the great and complex cybersecurity risks such advancement in technology brings to the drone industry as well as the regulatory and societal challenges the sector faces. 

Shadi Razak, chief technology officer at ANGOKA, says: “Drones are allowing us to achieve more than ever before and continue to provide opportunities to businesses and the local economy. Whilst use of drones is important, the risks of cyber is real, both commercially and physically.  

“The conference allowed us to discuss the benefits of wider adoption of drone usage, and how as an industry we can continue to make advancements. Northern Ireland in particular has really great opportunities for drone development with its thriving technological scene, as well as its links to the UK, Ireland and Europe.  

“We heard of instances of drones being used in vital services, such as the delivery of medication, which is not only of huge benefit to local communities, but also in economic growth. 

“However, as comes with this industry that is moving at a rapid pace, we must be mindful of the risk of cyber. There’s always a worry and a risk of drones being used recklessly or for malicious purposes, especially because it’s a relatively new technology in a new industry, and as we know, technology is always way ahead of regulations and frameworks that will govern and guide.” 

ANGOKA is in the business to ensure the safety and resilience of next-generation air mobility by safeguarding the identification and communication of drone flight and operation in free space or air corridors.  

Throughout the summit, the team at ANGOKA demonstrated to the audience that cybersecurity works both ways in the drone industry. Preventing hostile and unwanted drone activity on the one hand and protecting drones from interference by hackers and other unauthorised sources. The team demonstrated the takeover of a commercial drone, spoofing its video stream and bringing it to fall from the sky. 

Mr Razak concludes: “Drones will have a huge impact on us as a society, even for our own safety, and whilst use of drones is important, but the risks of cyber is real, both commercially and physically. It’s events like this that are so important to bring together thought leaders and innovators to discuss the benefits, and also the downfalls, that come with UAVs, and how as an industry we can work together to ensure both physical and digital security.”