Defuse Sponsors:
Microsoft Bizspark
Microsoft BizSpark is a global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups. BizSpark provides entrepreneurs fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and production licenses of server products with no upfront costs and minimal requirements. BizSpark startups receive professional support from Microsoft as well as community-driven support from Network Partners, active organizations in the entrepreneurial space, who can provide guidance, mentorship and resources to Startups.
First prize for the design challenge is an Windows 8 RT Tablet, thanks to sponsorship for Microsoft BizSpark program Ireland a global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups. http://www.microsoft.com/ireland/bizspark/
Frontend
Founded in 1998, Frontend is an international based User Experience and Interface Design consultancy. We provide a range of User Centred Design Services (including user research, user modeling, task analysis, design, and user testing) for websites, software applications, mobile applications, consumer products, digital devices and print.
Frontend was founded by a core group of experienced interface and graphic designers; our mission was to develop a new approach to design problem solving, focused around end-user or customer experiences. Since then we have expanded our skill-base to include usability, accessibility, cognitive psychology and software development. We have built a creative team with a broad range of skills including problem solving, project management and strategic thinking.
Frontend have developed an impressive international blue chip client-base including AIB, Bank of Ireland, Barclays Bank, BBC, BridgeCo, Diageo, D-Link, HP, Microsoft, Rabobank, O2, Reuters, Revenue, Unilever and Vodafone. Our extensive experience across industries and geographical markets can be seen in samples of Our Work.
PaddyPower
Paddy Power is Ireland’s biggest, most successful, security conscious and innovative bookmaker. We operate via www.paddypower.com, our chain of retail outlets throughout Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, our Dial-A-Bet department and more recently our Mobile division. Whether you like the buzz and the human interaction of the betting shop or you’re deeply agoraphobic and have grave misgivings about the outside world, in one form or another Paddy Power is there 24 hours a day with a customer service team to match.
Bavaria
Beerbrewer Bavaria is the second oldest family-owned company in the Netherlands. Bavaria employs around 1000 people in total, nationally and internationally. Under the management of the Swinkels family, beer has been brewed in accordance with a unique family recipe for seven generations, at the Bavaria Brewery in the south of the Netherlands. This is how outstanding quality has been guaranteed since 1719. Pure ingredients are the basis for quality, which is why Bavaria is brewed using natural mineral water and barley that has been malted in-house, by Bavaria.
IQContent
iQ Content is one of Europe's leading user experience design consultancies. Specialising in strategy, usability, analytics, content and development, they design websites and applications which are both lovable for users and profitable for business. Since 2000, they have helped companies such as Vodafone, Goodyear EMEA, Permanent TSB and Aviva embrace user-centred design to drive revenues, save costs and increase ROI.
In 2009 they launched the iQ Prize - a €10,000 competition for Irish internet startups, and were also ranked as one of the fastest growing technology companies in the EMEA by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500. They are also the only Irish member of the UX Alliance - an international network of 23 leading user experience and user research firms.
