Startup Business Showcase : Unplug

By @SimonCocking

Describe the company – the elevator pitch …

UnPlug runs programmes to help people be the master of tech as opposed to it mastering them, resulting in more focus and calm
How are you different?

We aren’t anti tech, instead we enable people to engage with it more effectively. From day one we’ve had an open source policy on information sharing meaning that we’re now working with some of the world’s leading academics and tech influencers on the subject of tech/life balance and information overload.

Why will the company / product do well?

Information overload is becoming a mainstream problem, many leading companies are putting tech/life balance strategies in place to increase focus and reduce the potential for burnout. We combine science, technology and mindful practice in unique programmes working with a large network of experts. Our focus is on sustainable change (creating better tech/life balance habits).

Where are you based?

Dublin

When was the company launched?

2015

What have been your biggest wins to date?

Been asked to speak at the Digital Citizen Summit at Twitter HQ, California in Oct 2016. The Digital Citizen Summit is a project focused on the safe, savvy and ethical use of social media and technology. Their annual summit is at Twitter HQ. UnPlug will be talking on ‘How to make PokemonGo mindful’. The content will be how millennials should have have a tech/life balance to help prevent singularity.

What type of people (market segment) are you trying to attract to your product?

Corporate (problem: reduced attention span and catalyst for burnout), Families (problem: reduced attention span and issues with sleep, relationships and communication)

Tell us about your team?

UnPlug was founded in 2015 by Chris Flack and William Meara. We have 20+ years experience of working in tech heavy consultancy jobs and have both studied a range of techniques to provide balance in their lives. The UnPlug team includes CBT therapists, psychologists, parents/teachers (UnPlug4Kids) and tech experts.

UnPlug also consults globally with a team of Tech/Life Balance experts to stay up to date with good practice and high impact approaches.

What are you long term plans for your product / company?

As a startup our main focus is survival. We’ve got a very solid pipeline for our corporate business. However, not only are we a new company but we are developing demand for a completely new sector so ensuring top quality programme deliver is very important before growth. In the long-term we want to be the leading people development programme to help companies with information overload.

In parallel a new team are setting up UnPlug4Kids based on the huge demand we’ve had from parents when we run corporate workshops. In the long term we’d like this programme to be delivered into schools.

What are your favourite tech gadgets?

My iPhone. Despite raising awareness of overuse, I think smartphones are a truly amazing technology.

What tech gadgets do you wish you could use to help you?

UnPlug always advocate a first step in tech/life balance is to remove tech from the bedroom. In order to do this you need to get an alarm clock that does something that a smartphone cannot. I’ve a Philips Wake up light but there are very few clever alarm clocks that don’t use your smartphone. I’d love to see more.

How people get in touch with you?

You can email Chris Flack (Co-Founder) at chris@unplug.ie or follow UnPlug at Twitter: UnPlugHQ or Facebook: UnPlugHQ or goto www.unplug.ie

If you would like to have your company featured in the Irish Tech News Business Showcase, get in contact with us at Simon@IrishTechNews.net or on Twitter: @SimonCocking