Anti-screen-scraping start-up, Data Portcullis, is crowned winning ‘Disruptor’ at Travel Technology Europe 2015
3 March 2015 – A start-up business which provides an anti-screen-scraping system to protect clients from website content theft and to preserve integrity and reputation has won the inaugural ‘Dragon’s Den’ style, ‘Disrupt’, at this year’s Travel Technology Europe (TTE). Data Portcullis (www.dataportcullis.com), founded by Darran Thomas, has won free mentoring, PR support and a stand at next year’s TTE.
New for the 2015 show, the aim of ‘Disrupt’ was to provide a unique platform from which to showcase Europe’s latest and most innovative travel products. Start-up companies had the opportunity to pitch their ideas in 10 minutes to the judging panel in a series of interactive sessions. Three shortlisted companies were invited to re-pitch on the second day of the show where the winner was then crowned.
Data Portcullis was chosen by the judging panel which consisted of chair, Lee Hayhurst, Editor of Travolution, alongside Tom Day of London & Partners; Matt Zito, Managing Partner of Travelstartups.com and Toby Tait, Product Manager Premium Business Services, Gatwick Airport.
Founder, Darran Thomas has 10 years of experience in Forensic Evidence, having worked for companies like Ryanair to protect their business from screen-scrapers and collect evidence for litigation cases. He commented:
“I never expected to win because the competition was really stiff and I was up against some really great businesses and presenters. It is such a huge accolade to be recognised and to win is just amazing. It's still sinking in but I am incredibly excited about what the future now has in store.”
Janie Fox, sales director for Travel Technology Europe, says: “It was a thoroughly deserved win for Mr Thomas and Data Portcullis and we are looking forward to the upcoming year. The main aim for ‘Disrupt’ was to support innovation in the travel technology industry. The competition was fierce and the calibre of the ideas and presentations was incredibly high, I certainly didn’t envy the judges’ task in choosing a winner. We are hopeful that this will inspire a new set of start-ups to join us next year and that ‘Disrupt’ will continue to bring together great minds in the industry and encourage creativity.”
‘Disrupt’ was launched in association the Traveltech Lab, a joint venue between London & Partners, the capital’s official promotional company, and The Trampery, a leading provider of shared-workplaces renowned for inspiring innovation and creativity. The Traveltech Lab is the UK’s first incubator hub for this market and aims to inspire and support revolutionary traveltech businesses that have the potential to transform the global tourism market. Located within London & Partners central London offices the incubator will provide shared workspace and networking support for the capital’s emerging traveltech industry. The partnership between London & Partners and ‘Disrupt’ brings together two like-minded entities to encourage development amongst start-up businesses, allowing innovation and growth through shared ideas.
TTE is the largest specialist event of its kind in Europe and offers an unrivalled opportunity to meet new providers, source new products, bolster existing relationships and network with people from the best of Europe’s travel technology companies.
Find out more about Data Portcullis at www.dataportcullis.com.
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About Data Portcullis and Darran Thomas
Darran Thomas has worked for over 25 years in the computer industry and is considered within the profession to be one of the foremost ‘Screen Scraping’ experts in the world, counting the UK Government and some of the largest blue-chip companies in Europe among his Clients. Darran is often called upon as an expert witness in civil and criminal trials and has a number of publications and a patent to his name.
He developed an interest in computers while attending High School and started his career in the computer industry at the age of 14 when he developed the Ghostbusters computer game for Activision, which went on to sell over 250,000 copies worldwide. After completing a 1st class Master’s Degree in 2014, Darran developed patented anti-screen scraping software to provide to the likes of RyanAir and Easyjet because the illegal reselling of their airline tickets is causing these companies to lose millions of pounds per annum.
For further information on the product please contact Mr Thomas on 0800 6335559 or email him at [email protected].