The Web Summit got underway this morning at the RDS. We went along to check out what it has to offer and show you what it’s all about.
It's a technology conference and event for new and established web based companies to showcase their products. The newer companies are hoping to get some interested investors. At the Web Summit in 2011 a $26.5 million investment deal was made for the ride-sharing company Uber. It's very interesting to think that some of the start up companies at this year's event could come away with huge investments and be worth millions in a few years.
Most of the companies just have a small section to show off their product but others have bigger stands with interactive displays, such as Google, Coca Cola, Microsoft, Amazon, Dropbox, Instagram, KPMG and AIB.
There’s a pitching stage at this year’s event where new companies have a few minutes to demonstrate their product to a panel of judges. Very similar to the TV series The Dragon's Den but with a live audience.
By now you've probably seen the pictures of Eva Longoria touring around Dublin, enjoying Tayto crisps and shopping in River Island. But what has she got to do with The Web Summit? This is her first time in Ireland so she said she was really interested in coming over for a visit and also to talk about women in media and in business at the event.
Metail
Remember in the movie Clueless where Cher has a digital wardrobe? It also featured in Iggy Azalea’s music video for ‘Fancy’. Well now, thanks to Metail, you can have that too. Your very own online fitting room. Quite impressive in person too as it takes in to account your size and shape.
Love & Robots
We've heard of digital printers but never actually seen anything that has been made in one. Love & Robots make jewellery, phone cases and lots of other things using a digital printer and can be custom made through their website.
RareIrishStuff.com
You know when you’re abroad and you’re in an Irish pub filled with typically Irish ‘stuff’? Well two brothers from Dublin are responsible for those being there. They supply ‘rare Irish stuff’ to companies in America and various other countries.
King
The makers of Candy Crush Saga are here at the Web Summit. That very addictive game you just can’t leave down. They have a new version coming out next week so they were previewing that as part of their display.
Audi
Audi cleverly have a stand where you can sit into an Audi TT, pop on a headset and take a virtual trip around a race track in the model. Definitely one for car lovers.
