🟣Blockchain Ireland Summit 2025
Blockchain Ireland Summit–one of Ireland’s biggest Web3 summits–held from May 26-27, used Thrilld as the official networking app.
Background
Blockchain Ireland is an industry network that promotes and shares information on blockchain, crypto, and Web3 in Ireland. It is a non-profit, member-led organisation that includes state agencies, corporates, academics, and professionals working in the blockchain field. The group was established in 2015 and includes 6 working groups today.
Thrilld Labs has also concluded a community partnership with one of Blockchain Ireland’s Working Groups, the Startups & Web3 WG (#Startups & Web3). This WG supports Web3 entrepreneurship and talent through growing projects and partnerships, creating visibility, conducting emerging DLT research, and exploring marketplace ventures.
Fundamentally, the organisation aims to “simplify the Irish blockchain landscape for businesses large and small that are thinking about launching their blockchain-related ventures, or expanding their existing business, in Ireland”.
Blockchain Ireland Summit itself is an annual event in Dublin, organised by Blockchain Ireland. During the 2024 edition, 400+ attendees gathered for a week of events covering a beautiful array of topics and technologies. The 2025 edition was spread across two-days packed with speakers and workshops on all things crypto, including: DeFi, regulations, AI and smart systems, inter-industry building, and security. The organiser decided to use Thrilld for its 2025 edition, enabling attendee networking and the distribution of event information via the app.
The Challenge
Blockchain Ireland Summit 2025 expected around 400 attendees per day, from both the local scene and those coming from abroad. For international attendees or newcomers, it may be more difficult to break into the local scene and find the right connections. Within a two-day schedule packed with keynotes and lectures –also in the midst of travel arrangements and an international crowd – time management might be one of those unanticipated challenges.
We must admit that finding valuable connections or having discussions with those well embedded in the ecosystem in the Ireland Web3 ecosystem isn’t a hard challenge with so many wonderful people attending. And probably, people learn a lot–and sometimes unexpectedly even more–from just striking up a conversation with a 'random' person sitting next to them. However, with limited time at hand and whilst looking to find strategic connections, having a dedicated networking app to guide who you meet might be pretty handy. This is where Thrilld comes in.
The Solution
Over the two-days of the conference, founder and CEO of Thrilld Labs, Alexandra Overgaag, represented Thrilld on sight at a designated booth to support the onboarding process.
Alexandra also spoke about the Web3 landscape as a panelist, and spoke about the need of unification of Web3 builders globally. Yet in a fair, efficient and streamlined way. The panel was covered by Carmel Somers, who outlined some of the broader topics of the discussion: entering into Web3 and blockchain, decentralised communities (DAOs), digital assets, and the growing influence of AI in Web3.
In this short review, Somers also reflected a tone of thrilling excitement noting in the talk: “real change is coming. In the next 12-24 months, we can expect a surge in tools for digital identity, creative industries, and transparent supply chains…” (Web3 – Hype, Hope and What Happens Next: Lessons from Blockchain Ireland Summit 2025).
Back to the tech. The technology of Web3 is important –it’s the foundation, after all – but how these tools are used is also imperative to the industry’s growth. This all depends on the people building and actively taking actions to shape how this technology is being used. So just as important to the industry’s growth–and “real change”– is to make the right connections and talk with real people. With people who care.
Using Thrilld, attendees were able to:
Connect early by creating profiles, browsing other participants, and book meetings even before arriving in Dublin.
Access the full event agenda, discover side events, and receive real-time updates directly in the app.
Thrilld’s matchmaking algorithms allowed attendees to find the right people to collaborate with, also after the event via our global ecosystem of Web3 professionals.
From this latest experience, we found that feedback for attendee networking in Thrilld was good. People appreciated the new attendee list environment, where attendees can directly message someone they might find interesting. This can happen before, during, and after the event too. Although some attendees noted they would appreciate a LinkedIn onboarding method.
We also appreciate how receptive and attentive the organisers were in following timelines and coming up with ideas. Working together with organising teams can sometimes present its own challenges due to the busy nature… and the overblown inboxes of events, but having early explanations and communications about the apps usage at the event can make the experience all the more smoother.
The Result
In conclusion, as the networking app at Blockchain Ireland Summit no bugs were reported coming after a big update push too. We realised the importance of checking the internet access at venues, possibly noting the WiFi password on the Thrilld app, as without good reception it's tricky to use the app to its fullest.
Some things we can work on: we realised that it can happen that many attendees already know one another, perhaps undermining the need for a networking app. On the other hand, newcomers and international attendees might feel a little nervous when arriving. This is both a challenge and opportunity when it comes to smaller events, but a good application for Thrilld that welcomes outliers and incumbents both equally into its siloed networking environment. In other words, if many attendees know eachother, then those that don’t may need to rely more heavily on a facilitated networking.
We also realised that we have to offer more event-relevant features alongside the networking. At present, we have an agenda and a side events list, but it would be good to make a community channel with live updates, for instance.
The Future
For key takeaways, the Blockchain Ireland Summit was a success. With no bugs being reported and greater visibility, it greatly helps in a steady pursuit of sustainable growth. There are some features or challenges that became aware to us, which is thanks to the event and event attendees who are willing to offer their ideas and feedback.
We are especially grateful for the diligence and collaboration of the event organisers and look forward to next collaborations! The people in Ireland were kind, welcoming, inviting and proactive.
Thrilld Labs is thrilld to continue powering Web3 events worldwide, one connection at a time.
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