Super Connect for Good announces regional winners
We take a look at the eight regional winners that are all pitching for the nationwide virtual final, run by Empact Ventures, as part of a wider initiative aimed at supporting tech startups and scale-ups making a difference
Super Connect for Good, an initiative supporting the best emerging tech startups and scale-ups that bring positive social change to enhance people’s lives through technology, has announced the regional winners for its 2020 competition.
The competition, run by global super connectors Empact Ventures and leading recruitment experts Hays, unveiled the winners for each of the eight regions, ahead of the virtual final tomorrow, 17th November, during Global Entrepreneurship Week. The regional winners will pitch to take the crown of National Overall Winner. To register, visit the event hop-in page, and to learn more about the competition, visit www.superconnectforgood.com.
Each regional winner will receive £4,000 worth of prizes, including online training with Hays Rise, free legal advice from Linkilaw, guaranteed press coverage by Top Business Tech, and 10 super connections from Empact Ventures, among a variety of other benefits.
The regional winners are as follows:
Scotland – NeateBox
The Neatebox WelcoMe system utilises location aware technology on the modern smartphone and uses geo location to trigger specific messages to participating venues. A disabled person using WelcoMe triggers this notification when within a certain distance which provides staff with information on how best to serve their soon to arrive visitor.
Gavin Neate, founder of Neatebox, said of the achievement: “The entire team at Neatebox has worked tirelessly to bring into existence WelcoMe, a product which will truly revolutionise the way in which society interacts with its disabled members. To be recognised at any time is fantastic but to represent your country in the Super Connect for Good competition with a product that will fundamentally help millions during a time of incredible disruption is a massive source of pride for us all.”
North of England – QV Bioelectronics
QV Bioelectrics is pioneering an implanted electrotherapy device to treat brain tumours. Its internal electrotherapy device fits into the current treatment pathway, and, once implanted, it will deliver pain and side effect free treatment 24/7 directly to the site of the cancer cells. The entire device is completely implanted, with a small battery placed under the shoulder.
“We’re ecstatic to have been awarded regional winners for the North,” said Qasim Akhtar, business development officer at QV Bioelectronics. “Our purpose is to create long-lasting social impact by making our innovative therapy accessible to glioblastoma patients internationally. We are incredibly appreciative that the Super Connect for Good judges saw the value in what we’re developing by awarding us 1st place in the North, and we look forward to the national final.”
West (Wales & Midlands) – CanSense
The innovative CanSense test provides an affordable healthcare solution to early stage cancer detection using one simple blood sample, significantly reducing the high levels of cancer mortality.
Mike Morgan, director at Hays and one of the judges for the competition, said: “After much debate, CanSense emerged as the extremely worthy winner for the West considering the impact this technology could have on our wider society.”
East of England – IE HUB
IE Hub is a multi award-winning web portal empowering the millions of UK people in financial difficulty to assess and share their affordability data. IE Hub delivers a seamless digital engagement with customers to self-assess and verify affordability. This can be used to establish affordable repayment plans, assign forbearance and identify financial vulnerabilities for customers facing financial difficulties.
Kapil Madan, founder of Personal Data Management (IE Hub), said of the achievement: “Winning the Super Connect for Good East England Region has helped us reach angel investor networks and also provided us free support from OVHcloud for scaling up. As we look to scale up post our next funding round, we will be supported by the Hays Rise team who can source the ideal team members for us.”
South of England – MyMHealth
The MyMHealth platform uses react native technology to deliver a range of digital therapeutics to patients with a range of health conditions. Its aim is to empower patients with the tools they need to self-manage more effectively. The platform includes condition specific, NHS approved apps for people living with COPD, Asthma, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Covid-19.
Martin Pardey, business director at Hays, and one of the judges for the competition, commented: “MyMHealth who have an excellent growing business that is clearly doing ‘tech for good’ and whose offering is very relevant in the current climate.”
Republic of Ireland – Kids Speech Labs
Kids Speech Labs is building the first remote, automated assessment of children’s speech and language skills. Its goal is to ensure that no child falls behind socially or educationally because of missed speech and language delays. The platform consists of interactive games that can reliably score children’s speech and language skills.
“The standout item for the judging panel, in relation to Kids Speech Labs, was the tangible, measurable and potentially life-changing impact they are having on kids’ lives today,” said David Burke, director and regional lead for Hays Technology Ireland, who was one of the regional judges for the Republic of Ireland. “This is a company with an ambitious forward plan but at every step along that journey they are making a positive impact in the real world. A worthy winner from a very, very tight race.”
Northern Ireland – TapSOS
TapSOS is a smartphone app for non-verbal contact with emergency services. Many people face barriers when engaging with 999 – physical, medical or situational. Confusion, panic and stress can break down communication causing life-threatening delays.
Gerard Loughran, head of engineering at Sonraí Analytics and one of the regional judges for the competition, said: “[TapSOS] demonstrated not only a measurably viable solution to major health & social problems but also a clear roadmap and solid business approach that would support mass exportation of their product.”
London – Beam
Beam is the world’s first platform to crowdfund employment training for homeless people and support them into skilled, long-term work. Help a homeless Londoner for the long-term. You help fund their training. We support them into a career. They get a bright new future.
Tom Wood, Head of Hays Finance Technology and one of the judges for the competition, said: “Beam were the worthy winners of the top prize. They have created an elegant product that has made serious strides in tackling the growing problem of homelessness in the UK.”
Tomorrow, during Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Virtual Final will be held featuring all eight regional winners pitching to be crowned the national winner. Six industry winners in the areas of AI, EdTech, MedTech, HealthTech, Smart Cities and GovTech, will also be announced.
The event will also feature a digital exhibition and two roundtable discussions with speakers from Hays, Microsoft for Startups, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Sifted, the National Institute for Health Research and others.
To register, please visit www.superconnectforgood.com
