TechLudd is site that grew out of an event. It’s run by Hat Media and Techludd is maintained by them as a not-for-profit community focused project to provide networking, news and information to the Startup, Technology and Digital Media space.
The Story Begins
The story starts in January 2008 as a notion of a frustrated entrepreneur and a group of that went to Palo Alto in December of 2007 on the Paddy’s Valley Tour. With a baptism of fire for the organiser and more than it’s fair share of controversy in it’s early life (do a google search) a little over 120 people gathered on January 24th 2008 at 7pm in the Odessa Club in Dublin. Digiweb sponsored the hosting for the website and Microsoft sponsored that first event and both been amazing partners ever since along with other partners and sponsors such as TechCrunch Europe and Pix.ie who have been our photo partner from the get go as well.
OpenDemo
One of the unique things about TechLudd right from the start has been the OpenDemo at each event. What that entails is that at each event we make available 8 Demo tables on a first come first served basis for free for any startup who wants to demo their product to a focused knowledgable locally based group interested in startups and technology.
Growing pains
Since then it has grown having been held in almost every City in Ireland (Sorry Waterford) and should be launching events in New York and London in 2010.
Not for Profit
TechLudd is run as a non profit project. What that means is that every penny of sponsorship or advertising is re-invested in either the site or the events (usually in the events to be honest) to benefit the community. We are committed that all TechLudd networking events and this site as a resource will always be free no matter where in the world they are. If you want to start a TechLudd event in your city then get in touch and we’ll do everything we can to support you even help you find sponsors.
If you’d like to sponsor a TechLudd event or advertise on the site or make some contribution to this project then please get in touch. We’re very reasonably priced. 
