Kernel Capital, through the Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund, has closed a €500,000 investment in ZolkC, a spin-out from the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group in Waterford Institute of Technology.
ZolkC's technology combines handheld guides with video and audio content, enabling tourists to customise their visits to historic destinations. To date, the company's platform has been implemented in Culloden Battlefield experience in Scotland; the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, Co. Down; and the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience in New Ross, Co. Wexford. A contract has just been signed with Waterford City Council to provide ainterterpretative content for the city's Viking Triangle.
Orla Rimmington, Kernel Capital, said: "The global tourism industry is increasingly employing technology to enhance the visitor experience and draw new audiences. Kernel Capital is delighted to support Irish companies like ZolkC, this investment will position the Company to continue to drive innovation in tourism technology and expand into new markets."
Paul Savage, CEO of ZolkC, said: "This is an exciting time for ZolkC, this investment from Kernel Capital will enable us to bring our platform to the North American market where we aim to revolutionise how visitors experience tourist sites, using our technology to really bring attractions to life. Our solution has proven benefits for our customers in terms of visitor numbers and revenue generation with average revenue per visitor increasing by 20% since our solution was deployed in Dunbrody."
TechCentral Reporters
Pictured (l-r): Dawn Guiney, Kernel Capital; Brian Fives, Enterprise Ireland; Fiona Lee, Bank of Ireland; Paul Savage, ZolkC