Hard-working tech heroes invited to apply for NDRC-supported HWCH Digital

26 Jun 2013

(From left) Steve Reddy, HWCH; Gary Leyden, director, NDRC LaunchPad; Angela Dorgan, director, HWCH; and Brendan Millar, HWCH. Photo by Graham Keogh

The people behind Hard Working Class Heroes (HWCH) plan to do for tech companies working in the entertainment sector what the festival already does for musicians with a new addition to the line-up: HWCH Digital.

The HWCH music festival and conference has been running in Dublin for the past decade. Now in its 11th year, the festival plans to grow to include opportunities for tech start-ups.

The idea stems from the tech scene’s involvement with the festival over recent years, with companies such as 45Sound, WholeWorldBand and Soundwave having showcased their wares in Dublin.

In May 2012, festival organisers First Music Contact ran a week-long Music 3.0 project which saw musicians and tech companies engage in debate and discussion and, on the back of its success, the decision has been made to formally make this part of HWCH.

Searching for the next big music tech idea

Supported through a partnership with the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC), HWCH Digital will offer 25 selected tech companies the chance to pitch to VCs and investors over the course of the three-day festival in October.

The selected start-ups will have access to mentoring, panels and tip sessions – the very same benefits afforded the acts performing at the festival – and there will be opportunities to work with musicians over the weekend.

“NDRC LaunchPad invests in great ideas and we have had much success with ventures in the music technology space, such as Soundwave, GigStarter and Buzzoo,” said NDRC LaunchPad director Gary Leyden. “We’re looking to support and invest in the next big music tech idea and that’s why we partnered with HWCH. They understand the music industry and we know how to build investable propositions. Together, we can make a real impact on how the music industry can use technology to improve the audience’s experience.”

Applications for HWCH Digital can be made through www.hwch.net and www.ndrc.ie and the deadline for submissions is 26 July.

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

editorial@siliconrepublic.com