Last week, the tech universe was abuzz with the news of Paddy Cosgrave's return to the helm of Web Summit. An iconic event annually gracing Lisbon's shores, Web Summit draws crowds exceeding 70,000 and stands tall as one of the industry's grandest gatherings.

But let's address the elephant in the room. Cosgrave's departure six months ago, fueled by contentious remarks on the Israel/Gaza conflict, cast a shadow over his leadership. Major sponsors like Amazon, Google, Meta and dozens of other tech companies swiftly withdrew support, igniting a storm of controversy.

Cosgrave confirmed his return on X and announced a strategic pivot for Web Summit, veering towards smaller, more intimate gatherings. While not directly addressing past controversies, this shift is reminiscent of Zuckerberg's community-centric approach post-2016. Just as Facebook aimed for deeper connections amidst scandals like Cambridge Analytica and election manipulation hearings, Web Summit seeks to prioritize richer, more personalized experiences over lucrative sponsorships. The recalibration aims to extract deeper value from events and foster tighter-knit communities within the Web Summit ecosystem.

While many observers view Cosgrave's story as evidence of the wisdom in maintaining silence on divisive issues, I think we are all wondering how much of Cosgrave's bold nature remains. His penchant for challenging norms, evident in his speaker selections, promises an intriguing journey ahead. As he navigates this new phase, the Irish and global tech realm watches closely, curious to see the evolution of Web Summit under his leadership.

This Weeks Dispatch 📖

We have some intresting stories from home and abroad :

• Belfast-based healthtech startup, has secured FDA approval for its Modius Stress device. 👍🏥

• Irish Talent Flourishes in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe List ☘️📋

• Wellona gets funding injection of €2.2 million 💰🏥

• The Dundalk Native Behind Lay's Innovative Football Ad with Beckham and Henry ⚽🥔

Enjoy! ☕

Belfast-based healthtech startup, has secured FDA approval for its Modius Stress device. 👍🏥

Neurovalens, a Belfast-based healthtech startup, has secured FDA approval for its Modius Stress device. This innovative technology targets anxiety through electrical stimulation and is poised for significant growth with investor backing and plans for a $40 million to $50 million Series B funding round.

CEO Jason McKeown sees this FDA clearance as a crucial milestone, especially for the US market where General Anxiety Disorder affects millions. Offering non-invasive treatment, the Modius Stress device has the potential to significantly improve the lives of those struggling with anxiety, addressing both psychological and physical symptoms. This announcement highlights the impactful role of Irish healthtech startups in positively impacting global healthcare.

Irish Talent Flourishes in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe List ☘️

Irish Talent Flourishes in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe List! ☘️🥂

A massive congrats to Luke Mackey (Co-founder and CEO of Kota), Cian Donovan and Robbie Scott (Co-founders of Akara Robotics), Oisín McGrath (Co-founder of Galenband), Sanjay Abraham (Co-founder of Xpress Health) and Dr. Dale Whelehan (Founder and CEO of 4 Day Week - Global)!

The list celebrates the remarkable achievements of young trailblazers across various fields—from technology and healthcare to commerce, media, entertainment, and social impact.

This year's class, including our talented Irish entrepreneurs, has collectively raised an astounding $1 billion in funding and boasts a social following of over 262 million.

It's truly inspiring to see our homegrown talent making waves on such a prestigious platform. Here's to celebrating their incredible success and the bright future ahead!

Wellona gets funding injection of €2.2 million 💰🏥

Contragulations to CEO and Founder Sonia Neary and the entire Wellola team! Their groundbreaking product, Portasana, is transforming healthcare and spearheading efforts to alleviate hospital overcrowding across Ireland and the UK.

With a recent funding injection of €2.2 million, Wellola continues to lead the charge in digital health innovation. Their vision of a future centered on preventive, community-based, and digital healthcare is both inspiring and essential in today's landscape.

Drawing from her 15-year background as a chartered physiotherapist, Sonia brings invaluable insights to the table, ensuring that Wellola's solutions resonate deeply with both patients and practitioners. Through seamless integration with hospital systems, Portasana empowers patients while affording clinical teams the time and resources to deliver exceptional care.

The Dundalk Native Behind Lay's Innovative Football Ad with Beckham and Henry ⚽

Ciara Dilley, the VP of Global Brands Lays & Quaker at PepsiCo, spearheaded Lay's latest viral campaign, which captivated the San Siro stadium fans in Italy with a little help from the big-name football legends.

The ad was shot in under five minutes during a live match between AC Milan and PSG, where Beckham and Henry offered unexpected rewards for football fans indulging in chips on game day.

Before joining PepsiCo, Dilley kick-started her career on the Diageo graduate programme in Dublin, where she gained invaluable experience working with renowned brands such as Guinness, Smithwick’s, and Smirnoff.

Responsible for billions of dollars in annual sales at the US group, she is an incredible example of an Irish person making a huge impact at the pinnacle of the corporate world. 👏

🧠 DIA Brain Food

Here is your quick serving of Digital Irish-related wins, trends, events, media and resources that we think you’ll enjoy digesting 🍽️:

📧 20 years of Gmail Google revolutionized email with fast search and a whole gigabyte of storage. But where’s it headed next?

🕰️ Room to improve with your time management? Check out these 15 methods to master your time 

🎭 Cillian Murphy reflects on his recent Oscar win and his internet fame as the 'most awkward person’ in this interview

🗣️ From a caravan in Meath to raising $120m in funding with ThreatLocker, CEO Danny Jenkins speaks to the Big Tech Show 

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