Digital DNA 2018 draws global tech community to Belfast

Technology experts from across the world have gathered in Belfast to share knowledge and network at Digital DNA 2018.

The two-day event – which runs from Tuesday 19 to Wednesday 20 June at St George’s Market – has drawn some of the biggest names in the sector to the city, along with thousands of delegates from local businesses and further afield.

On the first day of the event attendees heard from Jamie Bartlett, Director at think tank Demos, Leo Johnson, Partner and Disruption Lead from PwC, Noga Tal, Head of Global Strategic Initiatives at Microsoft for Startups, Ash Ali, the first Marketing Director at Just Eat and Keith Lippert, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate.

Simon Bailie, Commercial Director at Digital DNA, said: “We knew we had a stellar cast at Digital DNA 2018, but this year’s speakers have really delivered. In every corner of St George’s Market there are brilliant ideas coming forward, connections being made and deals being done.

“The energy in the room is fantastic and it’s great to see so much tech talent gathered together to showcase one of NI’s most exciting and fastest growing sectors.”

The Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Deirdre Hargey opened the event. She said: “We’re very proud to be Digital DNA’s official public sector partner because we’ve identified the tech sector as key to our ambitions for the city’s growth in The Belfast Agenda.

“Digital DNA is the most valuable and energetic business and technology gathering in Ireland and has justly earned a formidable reputation for sharing high-quality insights from globally recognised business and tech leaders.

“Our newly appointed Resilience Commissioner Grainia Long is hosting a panel exploring how technology can help Belfast become more resilient and members of our economic development team are on hand in the exhibition area to let delegates know about the wide range of free support we provide to Belfast businesses and the Innovation Factory, our creative space for start-up businesses just 10 minutes from the city centre.”

Digital DNA 2018 aims to showcase Belfast’s prosperous tech sector, covering marketing, data, cyber-security, fintech, innovation and devops topics – delivered through an exciting programme of keynote talks, interactive workshops, panel discussions and an exhibition.

For the first time, Digital DNA Is being powered by principal partner PwC, with the firm sharing its global technology experience and professional know-how with the Digital DNA audience. Other sponsors include Allstate, Belfast City Council, Convergys, Danske Bank, Kainos and The Open University.

Other speakers at Digital DNA include: Aoife Caulfield, Emerging Client Solutions UK & Europe at Twitter; Joanna Jarjue, BBC’s The Apprentice; Rioch Edwards-Brown, founder of So You Wanna Be in TV; Naomi Timperley, Director at Tech North Advocates; Sarah Hooper, CRM Director at Edit; Mike Barrett, Founder and CEO of Unosquare; Henry Helgeson, Founder and CEO of Cayan; Kieran Flanagan, VP of Marketing at Hubspot.